56 THE PLEASURE, OR [JAN, 



In designs for a Pleasure-ground, according to modern taste, a 

 tract of ground of any considerable extent, may have the prospect 

 varied and diversified exceedingly, in a beautiful representation of 

 art and nature, as that in passing from one compartment to ano- 

 ther, still new varieties present themselves, in the most agreeable 

 manner ; and even if the figure of the ground is irregular, and the 

 surface has many inequalities, the whole may be improved without 

 any great trouble of squaring or levelling ; for by humouring the 

 natural form, you may cause even the very irregularities and natu- 

 ral deformities, to carry along with them an air of diversity and 

 novelty, which fail not to please and entertain most observers. 



In these rural works, however, we should not abolish entirely, the 

 appearance of art and uniformity ; for these when properly applied, 

 give an additional beauty and peculiar grace, to all our natural pro- 

 ductions, and sets nature in the fairest and most beautiful point of 

 view. 



But some modern Pleasure-grounds, in which rural design is co- 

 pied to an extreme, are often very barren of variety and entertain- 

 ment, as they frequently consist only of a grass-lawn, like a great 

 field ; having a running plantation of trees and shrubs all round it, just 

 broad enough, to admit a gravel-walk winding through it, in the ser- 

 pentine way, in many short twists and turns, and bordering at every 

 turn alternately, upon the outward fence and the lawn ; which are 

 continually obtruded upon the sight, exhibiting the same prospect 

 over and over, without the least variation ; so as that after having 

 traversed the walks all round this sort of pieasure-ground, we find 

 no more variety or entertainment than at our first entrance, the 

 whole having presented itself at the first view. 



Therefore, in laying out pleasure-ground, the designer ought to 

 take particular care, that the whole extent be not taken in at one 

 view ; only exhibiting at first a large open lawn, or other' spacious 

 open compartment, or grand walk, Sec. terminated on each side 

 with plantations of curious trees, shrubs and flowers, exhibiting only 

 some opens at intervals ; and behind these have compartments of 

 the like plantations, with grass openings, gravel walks, water, and other 

 ornaments ; so that a spectator will be agreeably surprised to find, 

 that what terminated his prospect, only served as an introduction 

 new beauties and varieties. 



It is impossible to exhibit any regular direction for planning an 

 extensive pleasure-ground, as the different figures, and situations, 

 cc. of the ground, may require different designs, therefore general 

 hints only, can be given. 



Sketch of the Design. 



The following general sketch may be varied according to the 

 situation and extent of the ground, and may be useful to persons 

 who are unexperienced in designs of the kind. 



With respect to situation, this must be immediately contiguous 

 to the mansion-house, whether high or low situated ; remarking, 

 however, that a somewhat elevated situation, or the side or sum- 



