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they be of sufficient width, say fifteen to twenty yards, lined by neat, but not 

 formal, cut hedges. Such hedges should not be planted on high embank- 

 ments having deep ditches under them, but nearly level with the road. 

 They might advantageously be fronted with groups and masses of roses, 

 whins, brooms, hollies, and blackthorns. Honeysuckles might climb over the 

 hawthorn or native maple. Trees, also, of various kinds, should aid in the 

 decoration, having frequently large expanses of grass between them. At the 

 same time it would be my endeavour to mask out all the field gates, as 

 much as could be done conveniently. The grass of such lanes would be best 

 kept in order by cattle feeding upon it, provided that the plants were suffi- 

 ciently fenced until they were well grown. 



Whether the gates be entered from the public road or the private lane, 

 the approach should invariably take a direct course for a distance of from ten 

 to fifty yards, according to circumstances. (See Park Plan.) In any case, it 

 would be decidedly wrong to curve immediately after entering : and, in its 

 general course, notwithstanding the fondness shewn by some writers and 

 critics of the day for deep and frequent curves, I think gentle and moderately 

 long curves, as represented in the Park Plan, are more graceful and suit- 

 able than short bends, especiaUy in grounds of gentle undulations. It is 

 obvious that short bends are less convenient for carriage visiters, whose horses 

 may be spirited and difficult to manage. 



I cannot agree with Gilpin when he says — " An approach should appear 



as an unstudied road to the house." I still more decidedly dissent from 



Knight, who says, — 



" So let the Approach and Entrance to the place 

 Display no glitter, and affect no grace." 



I would rather reverse the counsel, thus, — 



So let the Approach and Entrance to the place 

 Display all interest, elegance, and grace. 



In fact, a road to a mansion is a highly picturesque and important object, 

 and, when it takes a proper course, is not only beautiful in itself, but affords 

 opportunities for the display of many charms which would otherwise be unseen. 

 As De Ville expresses it: — " The paths are the ingenious guides of our steps, 

 in shewing what ought to embellish the different points to which they lead." 



