1. Spanish Gardening, as an Art of Design and Taste
498. There are few pleasure-gardens, properly so called, in Spain; those that pass Under this description, La Gasca observes, being of a mixed character, and containing within them spots set apart for culinary vegetables and fruits. These mixed gardens are, however, numerous; and generally speaking, it may be said with certainty, that, besides the magnificent gardens of La Granja and Aranjuez, and others of less consideration in Madrid and its vicinity, and that of the Escurial and others belonging to the king, the archbishops, bishops, wealthy prebendaries, the grandees, all the monasteries, many convents of friars and nuns, the titled nobility, and some rich commoners and merchants, all have pleasure-gardens belonging to their palaces and country-houses. It may also be said, that, in general, there are more of this class of gardens in the maritime provinces than in those of the interior, and in the eastern and southern more than in the northern and western. (Gard. Mag., vol. iv. p. 16.)
