262 ENGLISH PLEASURE GARDENS 



the scantiness of nature and not only be employed to 

 produce variety but also novelty and effect: for the 

 simple arrangements of nature are to be met with in 

 every common field to a certain degree of perfection, 

 and are therefore too familiar to excite any strong sen- 

 sations in the mind of the beholder or to produce any 

 uncommon degree of pleasure. <% 



" The Chinese are no enemies of straight lines, be- 

 cause they are productive of grandeur, which often 

 cannot be obtained without them: nor have they an 

 aversion to regular geometric figures which they say 

 are beautiful in themselves, and well suited to small 

 compositions, where the luxuriant irregularities of nature 

 would fill up and embarrass the parts they should adorn. 

 They likewise think them properest to flower gardens 

 and all other compositions where much art is apparent 

 in the culture, and where it should therefore not be 

 omitted in forms. 



" Their regular buildings they generally surround with 

 artificial terraces, slopes, and many flights of steps, the 

 angles of which are adorned with groups of sculpture 

 and vases intermingled with all sorts of artificial water- 

 works, which, connecting with the architecture, spread 

 the composition, serve to give it consequence and add 

 to the gaiety, splendour, and bustle of the scenery. 



" Round the main habitation, and near all the deco- 

 rated structures the grounds are laid out with great 



