Beauties and Principles of the Art 47 



great variety of objects of interest, as sculptured vases, sun 

 dials, or rustic seats, baskets, and arbors, of different forms, 

 but all in accordance, or keeping with the spirit of the scene. 



To illustrate the three principles, with reference to Land- 

 scape Gardening, we may remark, that, if unity only were 

 consulted, a scene might be planted with but one kind of 

 tree, the effect of which would be sameness; on the other 

 hand, variety might be carried so far as to have every tree 

 of a different kind, which would produce a confused effect. 

 Harmony, however, introduces contrast and variety, but 

 keeps them subordinate to unity, and to the leading expres- 

 sion; and is, thus, the highest principle of the three. 



In this brief abstract of the nature of imitation in Land- 

 scape Gardening and the kinds of beauty which it is possible 

 to produce by means of the art, we have endeavored to 

 elucidate its leading principles, clearly, to the reader. These 

 grand principles we shall here succinctly recapitulate, pre- 

 mising that a familiarity with them is of the very first 

 importance in the successful practice of this elegant art. 

 viz.: 



The imitation of the beauty of expression, derived from a 

 refined perception of the sentiment of nature: The recog- 

 nition of art, founded on the immutability of the true, as 

 well as the beautiful: and the production of unity, harmony, 

 and variety, in order to render complete and continuous, our 

 enjoyment of any artistical work. 



Neither the professional Landscape Gardener, nor the 

 amateur, can hope for much success in realizing the nobler 

 effects of the art, unless he first make himself master of the 

 natural character or prevailing expression of the place to 

 be improved. In this nice perception, at a glance, of the 

 natural expression, as well as the capabilities of a residence, 

 lies the secret of the superior results produced even by the 

 improver, who, to use the words of Horace Walpole, " is 

 proud of no other art than that of softening nature's harsh- 

 ness, and copying her graceful touch." When we discover 

 the picturesque indicated in the grounds of the residence to 

 be treated, let us take advantage of it; and while all harsh- 



