DRESS GROUND. 55 



The following remarks upon the treatment 

 of the dress ground may occasionally apply 

 to the old mansion ; but it is to assist in the 

 formation of a new place that they are prin- 

 cipally directed : — 



" To deck the shapely knoll 



That, softly swell'd and gaily dress'd, appears 

 A flovv'ry island, from the dark green lawn 

 Emerging, must be deem'd a labour due 

 To no mean hand, and asks the touch of taste." * 



The dress ground immediately connected 

 with the house should be considered as the 

 foreground of the picture, which the whole 

 scene, taken together, presents to the eye, and 

 should be treated as such. The groups, and 

 single trees upon it, should be planted with 

 reference to the scenery beyond, so as to lead 

 the eye into the remote parts of the picture ; 

 excluding, as far as may be, whatever might 

 injure the general composition. 



In the formation, then, of the dress ground, 

 I should recommend the making a slight 

 sketch from the leading points of view, 



• Cowper. 

 E 4 



