106 GAEDEN MAXAGEMEXT. 



fence E E, The wall runs up to the house at both ends, and is ornamented 

 with handsome vases ; generally the entrance to the carriage-front is most- 

 convenient at one end, as shown here, or in the centre of the space, as indi- 

 cated by the dotted lines. When the stables are placed at the opjDOsite end 

 of the housO; the carriage should pass right through, as shown on the plan ; 

 occasionally, however, it may be best to enter in the centre of the space 

 opposite the front door, as at X ; indeed, no absolute rule can be laid down 

 upon the subject. Whenever grass is inti'oduced in the centre of the space, 

 it will be best to enter in the centre, and drive round the turf up to the door. 

 When the road is carried right through to another gate, and carriages have 

 not to return by the same route as they entered, a smaller space will suffice, 



23S. The line or direction of the road itself must be determined by the 

 characteristics of the locality and the taste of the proprietor. Notwithstanding 

 all that has been said about a curved line being the line of beauty, I confess 

 to a great admiration for the grand old straight carriage-roads, with their 

 accompanying avenues. Nothing imparts such ideas of mag-nificence and 

 grandeur to a domain as trees planted in this manner. Deciduous trees are 

 very effective ; but an avenue a mile long, of cedars of Lebanon, would confer 

 regal dignity upon any property. The Ceclnis deodora, Araucaria imhricata, 

 and similar trees, are better adapted for lines than for overhanging arches ; but 

 they would look rich and beautiful nevertheless. The WeUinr/i07ia cjigantea, 

 being so hardy, and such a rapid grower, would also do well ; and the first 

 nobleman who embellishes the approach to the mansion with an avenue a mile 

 long, with lines of this tree, will immortalize himself throughout all succeeding 

 generations. Those who have seen the magnificent specimens of the common 

 spruce in the grounds of Sandhurst College may try to imagine the marvellous 

 effect of two lines of such trees bounding a carriage-road of this length. 

 Although I would be one of the last to advocate the general and indiscriminate 

 introduction of straight carriage-roads and avenues, yet, in suitable circum- 

 stances, I would boldly advocate their formation. Whatever may truthfidly 

 be said against the use of straight lines, I have never yet met with any one 

 who did not admire them in vistas, or straight-forward views, in the landscape. 

 In looking from one object to another, the line of vision, which is to lis the 

 only line of beauty, is always, to our perceptions, a straight one ; the advocates 

 of straight roads are, therefore, not quite so unphilosophical or unnatural as 

 has been supposed : and it is a thousand pities that so many of their grand 

 works have been destroyed by the mischievous zeal of the extreme picturesque 

 school. However, in many cases it will be impossible — and undesirable if 

 possible— to make roads straight ; they m-ust be boldly and tastefully curved. 

 The extent and form of the bend must, to a great extent, be controlled by the 

 width of the road. I think it is Eepton who lays it down as a principle, that 

 no two sweeps shall ever be visible from the same spot ; for a curve that might 

 by itself look beautiful and bold, even in a narrow walk, might look puny and 

 poor on a wider road when thus repeated. 



239. Another principle, of gi-eat importance, is, that the curves must not 



