76 THE PLEASURE, OR [JAN. 



some moderate rising ground is always the most eligible on which to 

 erect the chief habitation, arranging the pleasure-ground accordingly; 

 such an exposure being the most desirable, both for the beauty of 

 the prospect and healthfulness of the air : there are, however, some 

 level situations, forming plains or flats, that possess great advantages 

 both of soil and prospect, and also the beauties of water, without too 

 copious damps or moisture; there are also some large tracts of 

 ground, consisting both of low and high situations, as level plains, 

 hollows, eminences, declivities, and other inequalities, which may be 

 so improved as to make a most desirable pleasure-garden, as the 

 scene may be varied in the most beautiful manner. 



The extent of pleasure-ground may be varied according to that 

 of the estate or premises, and the fortune of the owner; so may be 

 from even a quarter or half an acre to thirty, forty, or more. 



The ground should be previously fenced, which may be occasion- 

 ally a hedge, paling, or wall, &c., as most convenient. 



With respect to the arrangement of the several divisions, the fol- 

 lowing general sketches are on a supposition of a considerable tract 

 of ground; and if the piece of ground is small, greater simplicity of 

 design must be observed. 



First, an open lawn of grass-ground is extended on one of the 

 principal fronts of the mansion or main house, widening gradually 

 from the house outward, having each side bounded by various planta- 

 tions of trees, shrubs, and flowers, in clumps, thickets, &c., exhibited 

 in a variety of rural forms in moderate concave and convex curves 

 and projections, to prevent all appearance of a stiff uniformity ; in- 

 troducing between the plantations, at intervals, breaks or openings of 

 grass-ground communicating with the lawn and internal divisions, in 

 some places widely spread, in others more contracted ; leaving also 

 tracts for serpentine gravel-walks, some winding under the shade of 

 the plantations, so conducted as to command views of the lawn and 

 interior divisions occasionally, and at intervals of the most beautiful 

 parts of the surrounding country. 



This ground must be more contracted as it approaches near the 

 mansion, that company may the sooner arrive in the walks of the 

 shrubbery, wilderness, &c., under the shade and shelter of trees; 

 but the outward extension on each boundary should widen gradually 

 towards the extreme termination, to give an air of grandeur, and 

 admit of a full prospect from and to the mansion. 



Each boundary must be planted with a choice variety of orna- 

 mental trees and shrubs, deciduous, and evergreens, arranged prin- 

 cipally in several clumps; some consisting of lofty trees, others being 

 entirely of the shrub kinds, and consisting of trees, shrubs, and her- 

 baceous plants together ; in all of which arrange the taller growing 

 kinds backward, and the lower forward, according to their gradation 

 of height, embellishing the front with the more curious low flowering 

 shrubs and evergreens, interspersed with various herbaceous flowering 

 perennials, all open to the lawn and walks. 



In the general arrangement, the great art is to vary the prospect 

 of the different divisions so as they may variously present an air of 

 novelty and source of convenience and entertainment. 



