258 ON FORMING THE DIRECTIONS OF PLEASURE-GROUND WALKS. 



thick plantations, and its vicinity never guessed at. Especially, they 

 must not approach too near to those openings, where the outer land- 

 scape, by means of ha-has, appears as if it belonged to the garden- 

 A garden may also appear much larger to the spectator when the 

 paths take contrary turns, and by circuitous routes describe a longer 

 line. But this sort of deception does not always succeed ; the deceit 

 is but too soon discovered, even if these sudden windings, which must, 

 besides, be often repeated, do not present obstacles. 



Among such repeated turns, and to dissipate the suspicion that they 

 might awaken, the spectator must be surprised, now by a beautiful 

 inscription, a murmuring fountain, which will recal Vaucluse and the 

 complaints to Laura; and now by an urn, a bust, &c. ; and thus his 

 mind be occupied with more elevated subjects than the course of the 

 walks. 



A neighbouring path should never be perceived from any walk, 

 because this would destroy the illusion of size. The plantations, 

 therefore, which separate these near walks, must be close and im- 

 pervious. At the narrowest spots these plantations should be at least 

 from 15 to 20 or 30 feet wide. In large extensive grounds, however, 

 where no deception to increase the apparent size is necessary, some- 

 times, from one walk, others maybe seen through transparent planta- 

 tions ; and, from the momentary appearance and disappearance of 

 the passers by, animated and lively pictures may be produced. 



A walk winding in a gentle slanting curve up a steep bare hill, on 

 the other side of which a beautiful landscape, half concealed, is by 

 degrees revealed to view, has a particularly picturesque and beautiful 

 effect. To display this sort of beauty, however, the walk should only 

 have a single long shallow curve, which would also render the ascent 

 easier. For the same reason, those walks which are to be carried 

 over very steep hills can only be properly executed when they are cut 

 first from the right to the left, and then from the left to the right, 

 (zigzag,) and thus their extent increased. In cases, however, where 

 the zigzag line, cannot be sufficiently extended, or cannot be applied, 

 in order to facilitate the ascent, steps, either of stone or of oak, must 

 supply its place. These steps should not be more than five inches 

 high, and not more nor less than two feet apart, to be ascended con- 

 veniently. 



When two walks are to be united, it should never take place at a 



