Louis XIV had an enduring admiration for
the work and character of the Chief
Gardener--a man at all times honest, retiring,
and inspired by enthusiasm for his calling.
We are told by a French chronicler that
"when Le Notre had traced out his ideas, he
brought Louis XIV to the spot to judge the
distribution of the principal parts of their
ornamentation. He began with two grand
basins which are on the terrace in front
of the chateau, with their magnificent
decorations. He explained next his idea of
the double flight of stairs, which is opposite
the center of the palace, adorned with
yew-trees and with statues, and gave in detail
all the pieces that were to enrich the space
that it included. He passed then to the
_Allee du Tapis Vert_, and to that grand place
where we see the head of the canal, of which
he described the size and shape, and at the
extremities of whose arms he placed the
Trianon and the Menagerie. At each of
the grand pieces whose position Le Notre
marked, and whose future beauties he
described, Louis XIV interrupted him, saying,
'Le Notre, I give you twenty thousand
francs.' This magnificent approbation was
so frequently repeated that it annoyed Le
Notre, whose soul was as noble and
disinterested as that of his master was
generous. At the fourth interruption he stopped,
and said brusquely to the King, 'Sire, Your
Majesty shall hear no more. I shall ruin you.
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