134 ON CHINESE GARDENS. 



other ornaments ; the whole composing a very brilliant and en- 

 tertaining show. 



All the imperial forests, besides the high roads which pass 

 through them, having many spacious avenues cut in the woods, 

 spreading from different centers, like rays of stars, and terminating 

 at idol temples, towers, castles, and all the interesting objects of 

 the circumjacent country. The centers from which these avenues 

 part, are of a circular or octagonal figure, with eight avenues ; or 

 of a semicircular form, with only three branching from them. 

 Their area is generally very considerable ; and its middle is 

 adorned with a triumphal arch, a pagoda, a magnificent fountain, 

 or some other considerable monument. 



Where the extent is vast, each single avenue has besides, in 

 its course, one or more open spaces, from which a number of 

 smaller avenues again branch out, and terminate at many build- 

 ings, erected in the woods, for various purposes ; all which, with- 

 out any confusion, add to the variety and t intricacy of these com- 

 positions ; giving them an appearance of immensity not to be 

 conceived, but by such as have seen them ; and wherever a deep 

 valley, a large river, or an arm of the sea, interrupt and break off 

 the course of the avenues, the plantations are nevertheless con- 

 tinued on the opposite shore, in order to make them appear 

 more considerable- 



In straight roads, of smaller dimensions, the Chinese very 

 artfully imitate the irregular workings of nature ; for although 

 the general direction be a straight line, yet they easily avoid all 

 appearance of stiffness or formality, by planting some of the trees 

 out of the common line, by inclining some of them out of an 

 upright ; or by employing different species of plants, and placing 

 them at irregular distances, with their stems sometimes bare, 

 and at other times covered with honey-suckles and sweet-bryar, 

 or surrounded with underwood. They likewise cut and dispose 

 the branches of the trees in variuos manners ; some being suf- 

 fered to spread, to cover and shade the walks ; whilst others are 

 shortened, to admit the sun. The ground is composed of rises 

 and falls ; and the banks on each side of the walk are, in some 

 places, of a considerable height, forming hollow ways; which 

 they often cover at the top with bushes and trunks of fallen trees. 



(to be continued.) 



