SECT. XI. ©F RURAL GARDENING. 127 



to produce linking contrafts, and happy aflemblages, in 

 the way of ornamental gardening. 



■■ To range the fhrabs and fmall trees, to that they 

 mutually fet off the beauties, and conceal the blemifhes, 

 of each other; to aim at no effects which depend on a 

 nicety for their fuccefs, and which the foil, the ex- 

 pofure, or the feafon of the day, may deftroy; to attend 

 more to the groupes than to the individuals ; and to con- 

 fider the whole as a plantation, not as a collection of 

 plants; are the belt general rules which can be given 

 concerning them. 



11 In confidering the fubjetts of gardening, ground 

 and wood firit prefent themfelves; water is the next; 

 which, though not abfolutely neceflary to a beautifnl 

 compohtion, yet occurs fo often, and is fo" capital a 

 feature, that it is always regretted when wanting ; and 

 no large place can be 1 uppofed, a little fpot can hardly 

 be imagined, in which it may not be agrccnvlr. Is 

 accommodates itfelf to every fituation, is the mofi 

 iiUerefting object in a landscape, and the happieft cir~ 

 cumitance in a retired recefs ; captivates trie eye at' a 

 diffance, invites ap/proach, and is delightful when near: 

 it reirelhes an open ex pofure ; it animates a made, 

 cheers the drearinefs of a wafte, and enriches the mol) 

 crowed view. In form, in ftyle, and in extent, it may 

 be made equal to the greateit compohtions, or adapted 

 to the leaft : it may fpread in a calm expanfe to foothc 

 the tranquillity of a Spacefill fcene; or hurrying along 

 a devious eourfe, add fplendour to a gay, and extra- 

 vagance to a romantic fituation. So various are the 

 characters which water can affunie, that there is fcarcely 

 an idea in which it may not concur, or an imprellion 

 which it cannot enforce." 



On the works of art in gardening, the following 

 pafTage is pertinent : ~ u Art was carried to excefs, 

 when ground, wood, and water, were reduced to ma- 

 thematical figure, and fmiilarity and order were pre- 

 G 4 ferred 



