FORMATIOX OP PLEASURE GROUNDS. 85 



with scarcely room for a table and chairs. Choose an appro- 

 priate place for it, generally a spot that commands fine views. 

 Let it be raised a step or two, or even more, if there be any 

 object in it. Place it close to the boundary, that the space 

 before it may be as large as is practicable. If you can find 

 pillars of any architectural beauty, and a portico-like top, it 

 will be the most effective model you can take. 1£ you have 

 to build it new, pilasters will be cheaper, and, if not quite so 

 effective, at least neat and elegant. 



Paths. — The next object is to form the path round the gar- 

 den, as near the boundary as you can well bring it, so that you 

 do not prevent the ordinary means used to conceal the extent. 

 The outer portion of the ground always requires to be planted 

 well, but so form these borders of shrubs as to give variety to 

 the scene. If the garden be square and much confined it will 

 cause some trouble ; but let not the path be conducted in sharp 

 corners or elbows ; a graceful turn at all points, and nowhere 

 abrupt. The borders must not be carried in the same line as 

 the path ; the verges should be of turf, a foot wide at least ; 

 the border unequal in width, and the path sometimes approach- 

 ing it, at other places receding from it ; the border sometimes 

 showing a projecting breastwork of fine shrubs, up close to the 

 path, at other places leaving a wide space of green turf, hke 

 the middle portion of the lawn. The path should not be less 

 than six or eight feet wide, and the centre of the lawn should 

 be clear of all specimens or beds, for there is no means of 

 showing space off to so much advantage as the keeping as 

 much of it within the range of the eye as possible. It is 

 almost impossible to set do^^Ti any rule, because scarcely two 

 places present the same objects, the same means, and the same 

 features. Clumps should never be fiirther from the edge of 

 the path than the width of the verge which is left any where. 

 "Whatever size you have your bed or clump, whatever form it 

 is to assume, the portion next the path is to be cut to within 

 the foot verge, and never should there be more or less width 

 of verge ; consequently, all the fancy form must be away from 

 the path, that is, the side opposite the path. 



Clumps. — Clumps may be of any odd form, any whimsical 

 shape, without destroying the general effect, if attention be 

 paid to the narrow verge, and it be kept the same width 

 wherever the bed or clump joins the path. The corners or 

 breaks in the outline of the beds suggest good places for 



