ARTIFICIAL ROCKERIES. 



also, to be formed of choice materials, as specimens of rare minerals, metallic ores, rich 

 conglomerates, stalagmites, fossils, scoria, fine specimens of crystallography and vitrifica- 

 tion, forming a kind of cabinet which excites the attention of the spectator, and affords 

 interest and gratification to the more curious examiner, and tending also to divest the rock- 

 ery of any incongruity which might arise from its being out of place. 



It ma}' likewise be observed that rockeries should always be in detached gi'oups, and 

 whether large or small, should never present straight lines or flat surfaces. Tiie moi'c 

 irregular the arrangement, the more striking the effect produced. It should also be so sit- 

 uated as to be partly shaded and overhung by pendulous trees, to screen it from the glare 

 of sunshine; it should always be rather cool, and if possible, shut in by itself by shrub- 

 bery, and if possible, also, should be accompanied by a jet d'eau or basin of water, or 

 both. 



To attempt giving rules for the arrangement of rockeries is useless, as their forms entirely 

 depend upon the taste of the builder; and in this kind of work, ntiore than any other 

 branch of ornamental gardening, will the taste of the builder be brought out, and here, 

 also, will be perceived the difference between those who have studied from nature, and 

 those who have no vivid conceptions of natural beauty. It may here be observed, how- 

 ever, that the whole design should be diversified in its outlines, in its heights, and in its 

 general forms. No two parts should bear the slightest resemblance to each other, and the 

 greater the irregularity, the more interesting the effect. 



The great artificial rock gardens at Chatsworth and other places in England, can nei- 

 ther be regarded as works of instruction, nor models of imitation, but rather monuments 

 of extravagance, and may be viewed in the same light as the famous hanging gardens of 

 Babylon. No person of refined taste and correct judgment, can view these costly mon- 

 strosities of vanity and uselessness, without regarding them as a repetition of the vanity 

 of the eastern monarchs, and a revival of the relics of a barbarous age. 



I hope it will not be supposed that the above remarks are intended to deter an^^ one from 

 the imitation of nature on a large scale, in the formation of rockeries ; but it is to be hoped 

 that this absurd kind of landscape gardening Avill never be carried into so ridiculous ex- 

 tremes in this countrj'. Natural cropping clefts, and romantic rocky spots, maj' be easily 

 turned to excellent advantage, and far excel those artificial rock gardens, at compara- 

 tively small cost; and sure enough, such spots are sufficiently numerous in this country, 

 if wealthy men who build fine country houses, would bring themselves to choose loca- 

 tions where they might have trees, landscapes, and rock gardens, ready made. 



R. B. L. 



Remarks. — Both rockwork and artificial ponds are, in our estimation, dangerous fea- 

 tures in ornamental gardens, for any one to meddle with who has not a great deal of taste, 

 or a lively feeling of natural beauty and fitness. We quite agree with our correspondent, 

 that they should occupy secluded spots in the grounds, and that they are never so suc- 

 cessful as when they may be wholly mistaken for nature's own work. A little round 

 pond, like a soup basin, set in an open, smooth lawn, and a pile of rocks heaped up upon 

 a formal mound, as we have sometimes seen them, in the midst of high artificial flower 

 garden scenery, are equally offensive to good sense and good taste, Nature puts her small 

 pools of water, and her ledge of rocks filled with mosses and ferns, in the depths of some 

 secluded dell, or under the shelter of some dark leafy bank of verdure. 



Touching the rock garden at Chatsworth, we must differ from our correspondent. That 



garden has, to our mind, but one defect, viz: that you enter it from a highly dressed 



n of flower garden scenery. For the rest, time and vegetation have now so com- 



