REPORT OF THE ORCHARD COMMITTEE. 123 



and the grounds are about six or eight acres in extent. The mansion stands 



on the highest portion, having a level plateau about it of several rods each 



way ; then the surface slopes off gently to the north and east. This is not an 



extensive place which — 



" AVrapt all o'er in everlastin.i? green, 

 Make one dull, vapid, smooth, and tranquil scene ;" 



but the visitor gets an idea of extent by the diversity and succession of inter- 

 esting objects. Greatness of dimension does not always produce greatness of 

 character in a place. Greatness of character in garden scenery does not de- 

 pend upon the length and breadth of the walks, but rather npon the variety, 

 contrasts, and sometimes novelty of the objects introduced. No real improver 

 wants his work estimated by the acre. The pleasure grounds near the dwell- 

 ing may be considered as a part of the house itself, or rather as an interme- 

 diate apartment between the house and the less artistic portion, — a connecting 

 link between the two. 



In improving his place Mr. Knapp has, we think, proceeded very wisely and 

 cautiously, and has therefore done nothing he or any one else wishes undone. 

 With the true understanding of a lover of nature, he has preserved all the 

 natural features of the place. No monotonous walk is chiseled out and 

 graded and graveled, but the form of the ground is just as nature left it; and 

 if you indulge in a walk you have nature's carpet to walk upon. The native 

 trees remain, and others have been added w^here it could be done to heighten 

 the natural expression. Immediately about the house are numerous works of 

 art, — rock work, fountains, vases, flower-beds, rare trees, and also some native 

 boulders of rare formation. The beauty of the place, as we have already 

 hinted, consists more in its naturalness than in its artistic adornments. 



There are no walks except those which are necessary ; no iron or marble 

 lions or ugly dogs crouched beneath the trees, looking as if prepared and de- 

 termined to spring upon the unsuspecting wayfarer; no deer, or antelope, no 

 stone peasants or slave girls with rustic implements ; simply grass, trees, plants, 

 flowers, rocks, water. The place is inclosed on the north and west sides with 

 a broad, low stone wall, surmounted by a wood paling, we think. The stone 

 used in the fence were taken from these grounds mainly. 



Mr. Knapp has avoided the mistake which many, if not most improvers run 

 into — that of doing everything according to a certain system, becoming mere 

 mannerists, making every natural thing, every natural feature, look like artifi- 

 cial ones. It affords us great pleasure to state that there is none of this studied 

 mannerism here. There is congruity of parts ; there is utility and order, 

 without any sacrifice of natural beauty. 



" Blessed is the man in whose sequestered glade. 

 Some ancient abbey's walls diffuse their shade ; 

 With mould'ring windows pierced and turrets crowned, 

 And pinnacles with clinging ivy bound." 



But that mind must be insensible indeed, and barren of every sense of beauty 

 and taste, which does not admire such simple scenes as these — even if the wood 

 " glades," the old " abbey walls," and the " ivy-crowned turrets" are absent. 



We now come to the conservatory or plant-house, the first merit of which is 

 its exceeding cheapness of construction. In addition to this the cost of oper- 

 ating it is trifling. A very little fuel warms it, and it is easily reached from the 

 living room of the house. It consists simply of an extension of the basement, 

 or cellar, on a part of the east and south walls, affording a warm, sunny aspect 



