THE EUSTIC LANE AND WOODSIDE. 



NATURE is greatly indebted to Art for many of her 

 attractions, if it has not been exercised for the purpose 

 which is effected by it. We see this not only in wood- 

 paths, which all will agree are the most delightful parts 

 of a wood, but in many other operations of a rude agricul- 

 ture, more especially in the rustic lane. It is no matter 

 whether the lane be bordered by trees and shrubbery, or 

 only by a plain wooden fence or loose stone-wall, pro- 

 vided for several seasons it has been entirely neglected. 

 It must have been long enough under nature's sponta- 

 neous action to restore that condition of the turf that pre- 

 cedes cultivation, to green the borders with ferns and 

 mosses, and to gem their velvety heaps with anemones 

 and violets. The nice trimming and weeding which are 

 generally apparent in all the paths and avenues of a 

 country-seat or a model farm deprive them of the attrac- 

 tions of the rustic lane. No matter how many flowers 

 are cultivated in the borders of one of these trim ave- 

 nues, it is, after all, only an exhibition of splendor and 

 luxury. It delights the eye, but it cannot win the heart. 

 It is only a conservatory of elegance ; it is not a paradise. 



If we follow the course of any rustic lane which has 

 not been improved, bounded by a rude fence of any 

 kind which will form a support for the plants that come 

 up beneath it, we see the climbing and creeping plants 

 in their unrestrained freedom and beauty. If in the 

 course of our walk we meet with a rude shed or any 

 building old enough to be overgrown with mosses and 



