EMBELLISHMENTS. 463 



and smooth stones, in the midst of an open lawn, or the 

 centre of a flower-garden. But if we can make choice of 

 a situation where a rocky bank or knoll already partially 

 exists, or would be in keeping with the form of the ground 

 and the character of the scene, then we may introduce 

 such accompaniments with the best possible hope of 

 success. 



It often happens in a place of considerable extent, that 

 somewhere in conducting the walks through the grounds, 

 we meet with a ridge with a small rocky face, or perhaps 

 with a large rugged single rock, or a bank where rocky 

 summits just protrude themselves through the surface. The 

 common feeling against such uncouth objects, would direct 

 them to be cleared aw^ay at once out of sight. But let us 

 take the case of the large rugged rock, and commence our 

 picturesque operations upon it. We will begin by collect- 

 ing from some rocky hill or valley in the neighborhood of 

 the estate, a sufBcient quantity of rugged rocks, in size 

 from a few pounds to half a ton or more, if necessary, pre- 

 ferring always such as are already coated with mosses and 

 lichens. These we will assemble around the base of a large 

 rock, in an irregular somewhat pyramidal group, bedding 

 them sometimes partially, sometimes almost entirely in soil 

 heaped in irregular piles around the rock. The rocks 

 must be arranged in a natural manner, avoiding all regu- 

 larity and appearance of formal art, but placing them 

 sometimes in groups of half a dozen together, overhanging 

 each other, and sometimes half bedded in the soil, and a 

 little distance apart. There are no rules to be given ibi 

 such operations, but the study of natural groups, of i 

 character similar to that which we wish to produce, will 

 afford sufficient hints if the artist is 



