■IRoa^s an& patbs 133 



the roads and paths should not run in continual 

 curves like a serpent wound round a stick but should 

 rather make such bends as serve a definite purpose 

 easily and effectively, following as far as possible 

 the natural contours of the ground. Certain aesthe- 

 tic rules dictate these bends in themselves and hence 

 in places obstacles must be set up where they do not 

 naturally occur in order to make the graceful line 

 appear natural. For instance, two curves close 

 together in the same road or path seen at the same 

 time do not look well. If this cannot be entirely 

 avoided then a sharp turn should be relieved by a 

 larger, more rounded turn and the former should 

 seem justified by trees or plantations on the inner 

 side, or by elevations where the road or path is 

 apparently more easily led around than over them. 



"See Plate V., a, b, c, and d. If there is no ob- 

 stacle the road should be allowed to run straight or 

 only slightly curved, no matter what the distance. 

 Wherever an obstacle appears it is better to make a 

 short turn close to it than a long gradual turn for the 

 sake of the so-called curve of beauty. The sharp 

 turns are by far the most picturesque, especially if 

 the road disappears with such a turn in the depth of 

 a forest^ Nor should a road running parallel with 

 another be visible from it unless there is a distinct 

 division of hill and valley between or a dip in the 

 ground, for without this natural division two adja- 

 cent paths leading in the same direction appear super- 

 fluous, especially when they are on the same level, 



