LANDSCAPES AND PICTURESQUE GARDENS. 18 



so well appreciated, that further proofs seem unnecessary. 

 For where can we find an individual, sensible to the beau- 

 ties and charms of nature, who would prefer a symmetric 

 garden to one in modern taste ; who would not prefer to 

 walk in a plantation irregular and picturesque, rather than 

 in those straight and monotonous alleys, bordered with 

 mournful box, the resort of noxious insects ? 



Where is the person, gifted with any taste, who would 

 not choose those alleys that wind without constraint, in 

 preference to those dull straight lines which can be meas- 

 ured by one glance of the eye, and the monotony of which 

 is unvaried ? Instead of this, the modern style presents to 

 you a constant change of scene, perfectly in accordance 

 with the desires of a man who loves, as he continues his 

 walk, to have new objects laid open to his view. To un- 

 derstand this style of a garden requires a quick perception 

 of the beauties of a landscape, without which the existing 

 plantation might be destroyed, instead of being used. 

 Limited prospects, and neighbouring houses and buildings 

 not worthy of notice, should be concealed, and the view 

 left open to those objects which strike the eye of the be- 

 holder agreeably. The front of the house ought always to 

 be uncovered, the principal point of view seen, or conjec- 

 tured. A vast idea of the proprietor should be given, and 

 this can only be done by a grand plan, in which nothing 

 niggardly is to be seen. 



Rows of trees should never be planted in front of the 

 house, particularly when the house has been built in good 

 taste, and at great expense. It may be objected to this, 

 that the shade is wanted, and this I would not exclude ; 

 but, instead of one row in front, I would plant thick groups 

 of trees on the three other sides, and leave the front open 

 to public view ; otherwise the taste and expense are, in a 

 great measure, thrown away. 



When you choose the situation of a country-house, let 

 it be at some distance from the public road, so that the 

 road which leads to it may give a good idea of the extent 

 of the proprietor's domains, and care should be taken that 

 the road is proportioned to this extent. It ought to be 

 from eight to ten feet wide, so that carriages may pass, and 

 gently serpentine. This winding should have a reason 

 that is to say some groups of trees should be so placed as 

 to appear to be the cause of it : for naturally the ro*ad would 

 have led directly.to the house, but the person walking, when 

 he observes these groups of trees, will see at once why it 

 16* 



