260 MANAGEMENT OF [CHAP. IX. 



much as possible. Nothing is more wearying 

 to the eye than a place every part of which is 

 alike, and which leaves nothing to the imagina- 

 tion. A place regularly dotted over with trees 

 at equal distances is quite featureless, has no- 

 thing to attract the eye, and nothing to interest 

 the mind : but if the same trees are planted on 

 the same ground in masses, with a broad ex- 

 panse of lawn between; the trees sometimes 

 projecting, and sometimes showing a smooth 

 glade of grass running in among them, the end 

 of which the eye cannot reach ; the imagination 

 becomes excited, and a degree of interest is 

 instantly created. Where the lawn is large, a 

 few single trees may be introduced; but few 

 things in landscape-gardening require more 

 taste. Indeed, in laying out pleasure-grounds, 

 however small they may be, it is generally the 

 best, and also the most economical, way, to have 

 the advice of a professional landscape-gardener 

 at first ; instead of groping on in the dark, from 

 a mistaken idea of economy, till at last it is 

 discovered that all is wrong, and must be done 

 over again. Thus, in the end, the work is gene- 

 rally found to have cost twice as much as would 

 have been expended if it had been begun pro- 

 perly at first ; besides the loss of time, and the 

 annoyance always occasioned by having any 

 thing to undo. 



The Trees and Shrubs. — In all places suffi- 

 ciently small to be managed by a lady, without the 

 aid of a regular gardener, the trees and shrubs 

 should be of the choicest kinds. It is quite the 

 fashion of the present day to plant arboretums ; 

 and, though a place of the kind I mention 



