vi Original Preface 



sciences, there has not appeared even a single essay on the 

 elegant art of Landscape Gardening. Hundreds of indi- 

 viduals who wish to ornament their grounds and embellish 

 their places, are at a loss how to proceed, from the want of 

 some leading principles, with the knowledge of which they 

 would find it comparatively easy to produce delightful and 

 satisfactory results. 



In the following pages I have attempted to trace out 

 such principles, and to suggest practicable methods of 

 embellishing our rural residences, on a scale commensurate 

 lo the views and means of our proprietors. While I have 

 availed myself of the works of European authors, and 

 especially those of Britain, where Landscape Gardening was 

 first raised to the rank of a fine art, I have also endeavored 

 to adapt my suggestions especially to this country and to 

 the peculiar wants of its inhabitants. 



As a people descended from the English stock, \ve in- 

 herit much of the ardent love of rural life and its pursuits 

 which belongs to that nation; but our peculiar position, in 

 a new world that required a population full of enterprise 

 and energy to subdue and improve its vast territory, has, 

 until lately, left but little time to cultivate a taste for rural 

 embellishment. But in the older states, as wealth has 

 accumulated, the country becomes populous, and society 

 more fixed in its character, a return to those simple and 

 fascinating enjoyments to be found in country life and 

 rural pursuits is witnessed on every side. And to this 

 innate feeling, out of which grows a strong attachment to 

 natal soil, we must look for a counterpoise to the great 

 tendency towards constant change, and the restless spirit 

 of emigration, which form part of our national character; 

 and which, though lo a certain extent highly necessary to 

 our national prosperity, are, on the other hand, opposed to 

 social and domestic happiness. "In the midst of the con- 

 tinual movement which agitates a democratic community," 

 says the most philosophical writer who has yet discussed 

 our institutions, "the tie which unites one generation to 

 another is relaxed or broken; every man readily loses the 



