Those trees were disposed in such a
manner that you could command the whole at one view. He had placed in the
middle of this hollow the plants of the lowest growth: behind grew the
shrubs; then trees of an ordinary height: above which rose majestically the
venerable lofty groves which border the circumference. Thus from its centre
this extensive enclosure appeared like a verdant amphitheatre spread with
fruits and flowers, containing a variety of vegetables, a chain of meadow
land, and fields of rice and corn. In blending those vegetable productions
to his own taste, he followed the designs of Nature. Guided by her
suggestions, he had thrown upon the rising grounds such seeds as the winds
might scatter over the heights, and near the borders of the springs such
grains as float upon the waters. Every plant grew in its proper soil, and
every spot seemed decorated by her hands. The waters, which rushed from the
summits of the rocks, formed in some parts of the valley limpid fountains,
and in other parts were spread into large clear mirrors, which reflected
the bright verdure, the trees in blossom, the bending rocks, and the azure
heavens.
"Notwithstanding the great irregularity of the ground, most of these
plantations were easy of access. We had, indeed, all given him our advice
and assistance, in order to accomplish this end. He had formed a path which
wound round the valley, and of which various ramifications led from the
circumference to the centre.
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