ON FORMING THE DIRECTIONS OF PLEASURE-GROUND WALKS. 259 



right or obtuse angle, but rather at an acute angle, by which the lines 

 of both walks will be united in a much more beautiful manner. 



The marking out of all these lines and forms, if they are to approach 

 their original pattern, nature, is, as we have already said, a matter as 

 important as it is difficult. It is easily understood, therefore, that he 

 who undertakes to lay out a garden in the natural style ought to be a 

 good draughtsman in geometrical plans as well as in landscapes. But 

 there is a great difference between expressing these forms in miniature 

 on paper, and marking them out in their natural size in nature. If 

 the cleverest landscape-painter were to draw such large lines, which 

 often proceed in connected circles, and in lines several miles in extent, 

 with a tracing-stick which must be four or five pounds' weight, he 

 would find great difficulties, and his first attempt would not likely be 

 successful. 



In order to facilitate this operation, I will here explain my method 

 of drawing in nature, which I have followed since I first began to 

 practise, and which I have communicated to many others. The plan 

 on which the improvements are designed, which are now to be staked 

 out, shows the natural objects, under what form they are to appear, 

 and where they are situated. According to this plan, the principal 

 points in nature will be determined ; but, as has been already ob- 

 served, without straining to observe them too minutely, in case nature 

 should thereby be distorted, or fine trees fall under the axe, which, 

 without injuring the landscape, might have been preserved, if the line 

 of the water or walk, or any other line, had been altered a little. 

 There may also be obstacles of another kind contrary to nature, which 

 could not be foreseen in making the plan. 



But these difficulties will not be insurmountable to one who is 

 familiar with nature, and her numerous forms and means of remedy ; 

 because he will make such alterations as will not affect the beauty of 

 his grounds, but, if it be possible, improve them by those very means. 

 Hence, it is clearly enough seen, that, in executing the plan, it cannot 

 be exactly followed up, because it only gives the principal forms and 

 situations. It can only show the scenes the grounds are to present ; 

 and point out where the hills, the valleys, the lakes, the ponds, the 

 waterfalls, the bridges, &c, are to find their places. 



The instrument with which large and small outlines in nature are 

 drawn on a large scale is a round stick, or tracing-staff, pointed with 



