102 COME INTO THE GARDEN 



against a wall or background of live green. 

 The appropriate symbolism, too, of a Herm in 

 the garden, especially at the intersection of 

 walks at a turn, makes it an interesting as well 

 as a picturesque attribute. 



The situations where a shaft or column, sur- 

 mounted by a classic capital perhaps or some 

 device of interest and beauty, may be placed to 

 advantage are very much less common than 

 those which will admit the Herm, for such a 

 feature is not suitable where a generally infor- 

 mal or careless scheme has been adopted. The 

 straight, clear lines of a column are distinctly 

 architectural and necessarily convey an impres- 

 sion of formality and dignity which must react 

 against the simple cottage type of garden to 

 the latter' s disadvantage, and which must also 

 subject the architecture of the hou?e to critical 

 and very possible crushing comparison. The 

 column is indeed a very finished and elegant 

 object and must have finished surroundings. 

 Ordinarily I should advise against using it in a 

 small garden, although it is not a question of 

 size at all. The simplest garden design will 

 admit it, and the smallest space, if it is all de- 

 cidedly formal and accompanied by a house of 

 refined motif and real architectural merit. 



Reverting finally to the arch — which has been 



