216 ENGLISH PLEASURE GARDENS 



Terraces, and nothing intervening to shut out the 

 sight any way : but that is what makes them look half 

 as little again as they truly are; for comparing them 

 with the neighbouring Country, with which they are 

 blended, in the view, they appear, as it were, no 

 bigger than one's Hand, contrary to that fundamental 

 Maxim of making a Garden , % always look bigger than 

 it really is, either by artfully stopping the Eye with 

 Hedges, Walks of Trees, or Woods judiciously placed 

 and kept to a proper height, or making Blinds of Wood 

 against the Walls to amuse the Eye with a consider- 

 able Extent where the Bounds of the Inclosure would 

 otherwise appear." 



General pro- The general proportion of a garden was to be one- 

 portions. 



third longer than its width, or the length might be 



once and a half the breadth ; " that the parts by 

 being longer than they are wide, may be more pleas- 

 ing to the Eye: but to make it twice or thrice its 

 breadth makes the place look disagreeable and no 

 more than a Gut." 



The other general rules that were to be observed 

 in the disposition and distribution of gardens were 

 these : 



The garden " There should always be a Descent from the 



the house. Building to the Garden, of three steps at least; this 



renders the Fabrick more dry and wholesome; and 



from the Head of these Steps you have a general 



