[Gutenberg 61643] • The book of topiary

Excerpt from The Book of Topiary

IT is extremely fortunate that the Editor made no limita tions, beyond that of space, when giving me the invita tion to contribute a historical account of the Art of Topiary, as a sort of preface to the practical advice given in later Chapters by Mr Gibson, who has charge of the wonderful collection of clipped trees at Levens Hall. This is fortunate, because it would have been difficult either to wholly praise or wholly blame an art that for at least a century and a half provided English gardens with their outstanding feature. It were easy for us to dismiss the whole subject of Topiary by affect ing a great superiority and referring to it only as a monument of perverted taste, but that would neither provide interest nor give instruction, and it is hoped that both these ends may be served so far as the space at disposal will permit.

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