280- LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
natural landscape, or be so elicited or created by art, as to give a 
distinct character to a small country residence, or portions of a large 
one. ‘These are simplicity, dignity, grace, elegance, gaiety, chasteness, 
&c. It is not necessary that we should go into a laboured explanation 
of these expressions. ‘They are more or less familiar to all. A few 
fine trees, scattered and grouped over any surface of smooth lawn, 
will give a character of simple beauty ; lofty trees of great age, hills 
eovered with rich wood, an elevation commanding a wide country, 
stamp a site with dignity; trees of full and graceful habit or gently 
curving forms in the lawn, walks, and all other objects, will convey 
the idea of grace; as finely formed and somewhat tall trees of rare 
species, or a great abundance of bright climbers and gay flowering 
shrubs and plants, will confer characters of elegance and gaiety. 
He who would create in his pleasure-grounds these more delicate 
shades of expression must become a profound student both of nature 
and art; he must be able, by his own original powers, to seize the 
subtle essence, the half-disclosed idea involved in the finest parts of 
nature, and to reproduce and develope it in his landscape garden. 
Leaving such, however, to a broader range of study than a volume 
like this would afford, we may offer what, perhaps, will not be un- 
acceptable to the novice; a more detailed sketch of the distinctive 
features of the beautiful and the picturesque, as these expressions 
should be embodied in landscape gardening. 
The beautiful in landscape gardening is produced by outlines whose 
curves are flowing and gradual, surfaces of softness, and growth of 
richness and luxuriance. In the shape of the ground, it is evinced by 
easy undulations melting gradually into each other; in the form of 
trees, by smooth stems, full, round, or symmetrical heads of foliage, 
and luxuriant branches often drooping to the ground, which is chiefly 
attained by planting and grouping, to allow free development of form, 
and by selecting trees of suitable character, as the elm, the ash, and 
the like; in walks and roads, by easy flowing curves, following natural 
shapes of the surface, with no sharp angles or abrupt turns; in water, 
by the smooth lake with curved margin, embellished with flowing 
outlines of trees, and full masses of flowering shrubs, or in the easy 
winding curves of a brook. The keeping of such a scene should be of 
the most polished kind; grass mown into a softness like velvet, gravel 
walks, scrupulously firm, dry, and clean; and the most perfect order 
and neatness should reign throughout. Among the trees and shrubs 
should be conspicuous the finest foreign sorts, distinguished by. beauty 
of form, foliage, and blossom ; and rich groups of shrubs and flowering 
plants should be arranged in the more dressed portions near the house. 
And finally, considering the house itself as a feature in the scene, it 
should properly belong to one of the classical modes; and the Italian, 
Tuscan, or Venetian forms are preferable, because these have both a 
polished and a domestic air, and readily admit of the graceful accom- 
paniments of vases, urns, and other harmonious accessories. Or, if we 
are to have a plainer dwelling, it should be simple and symmetrical 
in its character, and its verandah festooned with masses of the finest 
climbers. 
