THE GARDEN 245 



itself dominating some subordinate part of the whole composition. 

 In every case, the function of objects of this kind is so to attract, to 

 hold, to direct the interest as to explain and unify and at the same 

 time diversify the whole composition. 



One object may occupy the center of a garden, standing free in its 

 own grass plot, and being from all points of view in the garden the most 

 interesting single thing, to which the rest of the design is tributary. 

 A sundial, a statue, a fountain, in the midst of a simple garden, is an 

 example of such an arrangement. 



One object may form the focal point of a vista, dominating a con- 

 verging pictorial composition and furnishing a sufficient motive for the 

 direction of a path and the bounding masses of foliage. 



Objects may mark an axis by lying at its opposite ends like two 

 gates in opposite walls of a garden, even though there be no axial path 

 between them; or objects may mark an axis by being symmetrically 

 disposed about it, like two cypress trees on opposite sides of a flight of 

 steps or two lines of lime-trees enframing a central grass panel. 



A number of objects placed at the corners or dominant points of a 

 formal shape may define and accent this shape and make it more im- 

 portant in the composition. Such a use would be served by vases or 

 clipped topiary pyramids or statues, placed at the corners of a grass 

 plot or a flower bed. 



It is noticeable that the different objects which we find in gardens Suitability 

 are differently suitable to these functions. A statue may serve them ^^^^'^^[^^"^,-^ 

 all : it may stand alone at a central point of interest ; it may terminate purpose 

 a vista ; it may stand with another on opposite sides of a gate ; four 

 statues may mark a central grass plot ; a row of statues may stand one 

 on each pier of a balustrade ; two statues each in a niche or standing 

 free on a pedestal at opposite ends of a walk may definitely mark a 

 center line. Sundials, bird-baths, gazing globes and, usually, free- 

 standing fountains are likely to be best employed as dominant objects 

 each in its own part of the design, with no other of its kind in the com- 

 position. This is partly because of their use which makes more than 

 one unnecessary, partly because they are so shaped as to be good in 

 appearance from all sides, and partly because it has become traditional, 

 as it were, to use them in this way. A vase, an urn, a plant in tub or 



