118 THE MAGAZINE OF HORTICULTURE. 



cognizance of intervening objects, that hide one another and 

 are apparently crowded together, so that the spaces that sep- 

 arate them cannot be seen. Tiiere is in this case no means 

 presented to the eye, by which it can make an accurate esti- 

 mate of distance. Hence the tiresomeness of a road in which 

 an object, several miles off, seems only a few steps beyond 

 an intervening object that is but half way to it. Were the 

 road to bend in such a manner as to exhibit this half-way 

 point in the middle of a curve, and the point we were striv- 

 ing to reach at the end of it, their relative distances would 

 be perceived, and the journey would be less tiresome. When 

 we are walking on a straight road, like a person in a tread- 

 mill, we do not seem to advance ; while on a bending road, 

 we are able to measure our own progress and feel a propor- 

 tional satisfaction. Hence the principle is made evident, that 

 apparent distance is shortened when objects, arranged in 

 straight lines, are viewed in the direction of the lines ; and 

 in proportion as the apparent distance is shorter than the real 

 distance, in that part of our route which can be seen, does 

 the journey become tiresome. 



These remarks apply equally well to all forms of space. 

 A square field, laid out with regular rows of trees, would 

 seem to have smaller dimensions than one of equal size, 

 planted in an irregular manner with single trees, clumps and 

 groups, separated by intervening lawn or meadow. The 

 reason is, that mathematical arrangements enable the mind to 

 comprehend all that can be seen at one view, while irregular 

 arrangements render it necessary to study the grounds and to 

 look at them repeatedly before we can grasp the whole in the 

 mind's eye : and in the same ratio as more can be seen and 

 compreViended at one glance, will the space or distance be 

 lessened in apparent magnitude. Of any given figure, a va- 

 cant surface is the most easily comprehended. Supposing it 

 to be circular and occupying several acres — if the whole were 

 filled with objects arranged in such a manner as to form a 

 kaleidoscopic figure, the eye would see the whole arrange- 

 ment at a glance, and it would be comprehended with nearly 

 as much facility as a circle of vacant space. But if it be 



