The treillages of Versailles and Fontainbleau were of substantial carpentry, preserving architectural proportions, in which plants were confined and clipped to form a sort of vegetable and architectural berceau, or cabinet de verdure; these being made of strong wood, and painted, were more costly and more durable; and, as they only formed a frame for the plants, they might perish, without injuring the forms of these leafy buildings; but the English treillage is made of such slight materials, and so slightly put together, that they can hardly outlive the season for which they are erected; this, however, is no objection where they are used in flower-gardens, or where they are merely to be considered as garden sticks supporting plants; but, when added to architectural houses, and made the supporters of a heavy roof, or even a canvas awning, it looks as if the taste of the country were verging to its decline; since shade might be obtained by the same awning supported by iron, if architectural forms and projections are to be despised,* or discarded. *[This observation is the result of having lately seen some houses containing rooms of admirable proportion, and well connected together, but which externally appear to be built of lath and paper, or canvas; perhaps the late frequency of living in camps, or at watering places, may have introduced this unsubstantial mode of building, which looks as if it were only intended for the present generation, or, rather, for the present year.]
