38 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



lawnsj interspersed with groups of trees and shrubs^ 

 either separate or combined. Flower-beds may be 

 formed in some positions, especially where the ^dew 

 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 efiect. Flower-beds are 

 very suitable on a terrace near the house. A small 

 flower-garden in connection with a boudoir is also appro- 

 priate ; 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 except 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 desirable 

 object of interest, inviting frequent visits and afibrding 

 agreeable walks; and, indeed, extensive pleasure-grounds 

 can scarcely be deemed complete without one. 



Terraces. — When well arranged, and adapted to the 

 character of the locality, terraces are excellent and highly 

 ornamental accompaniments to the mansion-house. As 

 seen externally, there are few objects which add so much 

 dignity to the house, as they form a fine outwork and 

 extended basement, and impart a stately effect and an 

 imposing breadth to the whole group of buildings. They 

 also afford an admirable outset to the work of decora- 

 tion in the vicinity, and serve to connect the house and 

 the groimds in a manner which could hardly be accom- 

 plished by a lawn, however highly ornamented. Inter- 

 nally they may be made a good architectural foreground 



