76 PAKKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



attention, and be so dealt with as to i^roduce the best 

 effect that the character of the locality will allow. 

 When the views from the house are extensive, it is not 

 needful that a large extent of pleasure-ground should 

 be spread out before the windows. Such breadth of 

 dressed ground throws back the pasture-lands of the 

 park, and either conceals or renders indistinct those 

 groups of living and moving objects Avith which it is ten- 

 anted. Herds of deer or of cattle, and flocks of sheep, 

 impart much animation to the scene, which should not 

 be lost if it can possibly be preserved, much less should 

 it be artificially excluded. The pleasure-grounds, as 

 seen from the house, should be formed into lawns, 

 interspersed with groups of trees and shrubs, either 

 separate or combined. Flower-beds may be formed 

 in some positions, especially where the view does not 

 extend into the park, and along with these a fountain 

 or pond with a jet d''eau^ or an artificial lake, may be 

 introduced with good effect. Flower-beds are very 

 suitable on a terrace near the house. A small flower- 

 garden, in connection with a boudoir, is also appropri- 

 ate ; but a flower-garden on an extensive scale should 

 be reserved for a separate division of the pleasure- 

 grounds. In open spaces in the grounds, detached 

 flower-beds appear to be objectionable, as they do not 

 mass well with the other groups, as they lessen the 

 breadth and interrupt the continuity of the lawns, and 

 being bare excej)t during a few months in summer, are 

 but seldom in a really ornamental state. At the same 

 time, a flower-garden, in a proper situation and at a 

 reasonable distance from the house, is a most desir- 

 able object of interest, inviting frequent visits and 

 affording agreeable walks; and, indeed, extensive 



