LANDSCAPE ARCHITECTURE. 15 



the want of what remains to be done, which he expects 

 me to direct. In other words, after destroying the natural 

 beauty of the place, he looks to me to make it attractive 

 by the introduction of artificial decorations, and not 

 unfrequently he proceeds to give me directions as to the 

 kind of ornaments he would like, and where and how they 

 are to be bestowed ; a fountain garishly displayed for the 

 admiration of every wayfarer on the street ; a rustic arbor 

 or seat, not where any one would ever be tempted to 

 make use of it, but where it may most conspicuously pro- 

 claim that this is the abode of rural felicity ; flower beds, 

 rock-work, serpentine walks, all to be arranged with the 

 same obvious purpose of display; the idea throughout 

 being that the place must be dressed up to look pretty, 

 that the landscape gardener's duty is simply to arrange 

 the dressing, and the test of his skill consists in making 

 the most elaborate display of such baby-house furniture 

 as the owner is willing to pay for. The proportion of 

 those who have applied to me to arrange their grounds 

 from the outset, fixing the positions of the buildings, and 

 adapting the various subdivisions to the natural features 

 of the place, so as to secure the utmost convenience, with 

 the best possible development of graceful or picturesque 

 effect, is insignificant in comparison with those who have 

 sent for me after all these essential characteristics had 

 been established beyond recall, and desired me to give 

 the finishing touches which were to confer the crowning 

 charm of attractive interest. 



That writers on landscape gardening in this country 

 have heretofore failed to give prominence to the really 



