The Water-works here are a great Curiosity; to which the River Tagus running along close by, does mightily contribute.  That River is let into the Gardens by a vast number of little Canals, which with their pleasing Maeanders divert the Eye with inexpressible Delight.  These pretty Wanderers by Pipes properly plac’d in them, afford Varieties scarce to be believ’d or imagin’d; and which would be grateful in any Climate; but much more, where the Air, as it does here, wants in the Summer Months perpetual cooling.

To see a spreading Tree, as growing in its natural Soil, distinguish’d from its pineing Neighbourhood by a gentle refreshing Shower, which appears softly distilling from every Branch and Leaf thereof, while Nature all around is smiling, without one liquid sign of Sorrow, to me appear’d surprizingly pleasing.  And the more when I observ’d that its Neighbours receiv’d not any the least Benefit of that plentiful Effusion; And yet a very few Trees distant, you should find a dozen together under the same healthful Sudor.  Where art imitates Nature well, Philosophers hold it a Perfection:  Then what must she exact of us, where we find her transcendent in the Perfections of Nature?

The watry Arch is nothing less surprizing; where Art contending with Nature, acts against the Laws of Nature, and yet is beautiful.  To see a Liquid Stream vaulting it self from the space of threescore Yards into a perfect Semi-Orb, will be granted by the Curious to be rare and strange:  But sure to walk beneath that Arch, and see the Waters flowing over your Head, without your receiving the minutest Drop, is stranger, if not strange enough to stagger all Belief.

The Story of Actaeon, pictur’d in Water Colours, if I may so express my self, tho’ pretty, seem’d to me, but trifling to the other.  Those seem’d to be like Nature miraculously displayed; this only Fable in Grotesque.  The Figures indeed were not only fine, but extraordinary; yet their various Shapes were not at all so entertaining to the Mind, however refreshing they might be found to the Body.

I took notice before of the straitness of their Walks:  But tho’ to me it might seem a Diminution of their Beauty:  I am apt to believe to the Spaniard, for and by whom they were laid out, it may seem otherwise.  They, of both Sexes, give themselves so intolerably up to Amouring, that on that Account the Closeness of the Walks may be look’d upon as an Advantage rather than a Defect.  The grand Avenue to the House is much more stately, and compos’d as they are, of Rows of Trees, somewhat larger than our largest Limes, whose Leaves are all of a perfect Pea bloom Colour, together with their Grandeur, they strike the Eye with a pleasing Beauty.  At the Entrance of the Grand Court we see the Statue of Philip the Second; to intimate to the Spectators, I suppose, that he was the Founder.