46 Landscape Gardening 



the others appear to belong, however distant, instead of 

 scattered groups, all of the same size. Even in arranging 

 walks, a whole will more readily be recognized, if there are 

 one or two of large size, with which the others appear con- 

 nected as branches, than if all are equal in breadth, and 

 present the same appearance to the eye in passing. 



In all works of art which command universal admiration 

 we discover unity of conception and composition, with 

 unity of taste and execution. To assemble in a single 

 composition forms which are discordant, and portions dis- 

 similar in plan, can only afford pleasure for a short time to 

 tasteless minds, or those fond of trifling and puerile conceits. 

 The production of an accordant whole is, on the contrary, 

 capable of affording the most permanent enjoyment to 

 educated minds, everywhere, and at all periods of time. 



After unity, the principle of variety is worthy of consider- 

 ation, as a fertile source of beauty in Landscape Gardening. 

 Variety must be considered as belonging more to the details 

 than to the production of a whole, and it may be attained 

 by disposing trees and shrubs in numerous different ways; 

 and by the introduction of a great number of different 

 species of vegetation, or kinds of walks, ornamental objects, 

 buildings, and seats. By producing intricacy, it creates 

 in scenery a thousand points of interest, and elicits new 

 beauties, through different arrangements and combinations 

 of forms and colors, light and shades. In pleasure-grounds, 

 while the whole should exhibit a general plan, the different 

 scenes presented to the eye, one after the other, should 

 possess sufficient variety in the detail to keep alive the 

 interest of the spectator, and awaken further curiosity. 



Harmony may be considered the principle presiding over 

 variety, and preventing it from becoming discordant. It, 

 indeed, always supposes contrasts, but neither so strong nor 

 so frequent as to produce discord; and variety, but not so 

 great as to destroy a leading expression. In plantations, 

 we seek it in a combination of qualities, opposite in some 

 respects, as in the color of the foliage, and similar in others 

 more important, as the form. In embellishments, by a 



