SEATS AND ARBOURS 145 



It is the rule rather than the exception to see the 

 inappropriate thing in both cases. 



The stone seat is naturally less adapted for use, 

 as the material is not so dry and clean as wood. 

 Yet it undoubtedly harmonises more easily with 

 the garden picture. The chief point to observe is 

 the importance of linking a stone seat with its 

 immediate surroundings. However ornate and 

 beautiful in itself, it will be in danger of looking like 

 an exhibit in the grounds of a museum if it is not 

 properly buttressed by wall, hedge, or other sufficient 

 feature. Where there is a curved wall of brick or 

 stone, or low piers with balustrading, the simple 

 stone slab set some sixteen inches high will look 

 perfectly natural and unaffected. Link it with the 

 structural lines of the garden whenever possible, 

 and if it must stand by itself prolong the seat at 

 each end to form a dwarf stone wall and finish with 

 stone tubs for small trees or flowers. 



Wooden seats are not really less dependent on 

 their surroundings, but being more obviously a 

 type of furniture, and being numerous on account 

 of their greater usefulness, they are susceptible 

 of a wider freedom in design. Hard woods such 



