Tea at Trianon: Garden Paths

John Wilson Croker on Marie-Antoinette

"We have followed the history of Marie Antoinette with the greatest diligence and scrupulosity. We have lived in those times. We have talked with some of her friends and some of her enemies; we have read, certainly not all, but hundreds of the libels written against her; and we have, in short, examined her life with– if we may be allowed to say so of ourselves– something of the accuracy of contemporaries, the diligence of inquirers, and the impartiality of historians, all combined; and we feel it our duty to declare, in as a solemn a manner as literature admits of, our well-matured opinion that every reproach against the morals of the queen was a gross calumny– that she was, as we have said, one of the purest of human beings."

~from History of the Guillotine by John Wilson Croker, 1844

Edmund Burke on Marie-Antoinette

"It is now sixteen or seventeen years since I saw the queen of France, then dauphiness, at Versailles; and surely there never lighted on this orb, which she hardly seemed to touch, a more delightful vision. I saw her just above the horizon, decorating and cheering the elevated sphere she had just begun to move in, glittering like a morning star full of life and splendor and joy. Oh, what a revolution....Little did I dream that I should have lived to see such disasters fall upon her, in a nation of gallant men, in a nation of men of honor and of cavaliers! I thought ten thousand swords must have leaped from their scabbards, to avenge even a look which threatened her with insult. But the age of chivalry is gone; that of sophisters, economists, and calculators has succeeded...."

~Edmund Burke, October 1790

Thursday, May 6, 2021

Garden Paths

From Ideal Home:

Whether it’s a route to your front door, a walkway that meanders around your back garden, or a destination path that leads to a particular spot, our garden path ideas are here to enhance your front or back garden. Paths create depth and bring structure to your garden, as well as setting the tone for planting and style, so you’ll need to pay attention to the materials you’re choosing. From bricks and stepping stones, to decked and gravel options, check out these great ideas to inspire you…(Read more.)

From GardeningEtc:

Dry stone walls are built without mortar, and can be seen throughout rural Britain, in areas such as the Cotswolds or the Lake District. The popularity of the craft stems back to the 18th century, where builders would use local stone of various sizes to create boundaries for land or livestock.
Today, they are a beautiful addition to a cottage garden, due to their rustic and traditional look. And, as seen here, they look fabulous lining a pathway and topped with masses of classic cottage style blooms, such as lavender and Digitalis.
You can also introduce flowers and foliage to the wall itself. Erigeron, for example, would make a beautiful addition with its soft mounds of small pinkish-white daisies.
Take a look at our small rock garden ideas to discover other plants that will thrive in stony conditions. And, if you'd like to build a stone wall yourself, then the National Trust has a very useful step-by-step guide. (Read more.)