He knew the conditions essential to the life of each individual plant, the quality of the soil required; and even the smallest spot to be laid out or altered was done according to his minute instructions.

But here, too, everything was carried out on the same gigantic lines, and the sums spent on that park must have been enormous.

Few people had the varied artistic knowledge possessed by the Archduke; no dealer could palm off on him any modern article as an antique, and he had just as good taste as understanding.

On the other hand, music to him was simply a disagreeable noise, and he had an unspeakable contempt for poets.

He could not bear Wagner, and Goethe left him quite cold.