Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original SourcesAshton, John
History
Social Life in the Reign of Queen Anne, Taken from Original Sources
Ashton, John
Great Britain -- History -- Anne, 1702-1714; Great Britain -- Social life and customs -- 18th century
There were many works on gardening published in this reign, notably
that by James, which was a translation from the French. It is enriched
with beautiful designs for parterres, etc., and is undoubtedly the
handsomest work on the subject. Van Oosten's 'Dutch Gardener' is
another translation, as is 'the Retir'd Gard'ner' of London and Wise.
The latter is a book of about 800 pages, with several woodcuts and
copperplate engravings, and consists of two parts--one a translation
of 'Le Jardinier Solitaire,' and the other from the work of the Sieur
Louis Ligers. This was edited by George London and Henry Wise, who are
more than once mentioned in the _Spectator_. They were practical
gardeners, and their nurseries far surpassed all others in England.
London was chief gardener to William and Mary, and afterwards to Anne.
During her reign the nurseries were let to a man named Swinburne, but
the name of the original firm was still kept up.
There is, however, an excellent book in English called 'the Clergy
Man's Recreation,' by John Laurence, A.M., 1714, but it is all about
the cultivation of fruit trees.
Plants would even grow out of doors in the City then, and we find the
fore courts of houses planted, or at all events the walls covered with
jasmines, vines, etc. Whilst the newspapers advertise for sale, 'Yews,
Hollys and all sorts of Fillbrea Laurell &c. with all sorts of Fine
Flowering Trees as Honi suckles, Cittisus, Roses, Sævays both Headed
and Pyramid, Orange Trees, and Spanish Jesemins, Gilded Hollys Pyramid
and Headed, Filleroys, Lawrel Tines, and Arbour Vitæ,' and amongst the
flowers were 'Double Emonies, Ranckilos, Tulips, Aurickelouses, Double
Anemonies, Double Ranunculos and Double Junquils.' Ranunculus seems to
have been a puzzling word, for once again we find it spelt
'Renunculices.'
Town and country were eminently antagonistic. The want of means of
communication kept country people in a state of stagnation, compared
to their brethren of the town, whose more fastidious taste could not
brook the boorish behaviour, and coarse pleasures, of the countryman.
'_Woodcock._ No _Londiner_ shall either ruin my Daughter, or waste my
Estate--If he be a Gamester 'tis rattl'd away in two Nights--If a lewd
fellow, 'tis divided into Settlements--If a nice Fop, then my Cherry
trees are cut down to make Terras-Walks, my Ancient Mannor House,
that's noted for good Eating, demolish'd to Build up a Modem Kickshaw,
like my Lord _Courtair's_ Seat about a Mile off, with Sashes, Pictures
and _China_; but never any Victuals drest in the House, for fear the
Smoke of the Chimney should Sully the New Furniture.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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