SIMPLICITY AND CONVENIENCE. 39 



incongruity. Again, the introduction of fruit trees among those 

 which are strictly ornamental, especially upon a lawn, strikes the 

 eye of taste unpleasantly ; so also does the presence of vegetables 

 among the garden flowers. 



The disposal of architectural ornaments in a style different from 

 the main house, immediately about and attached to it, as for ex- 

 ample, those of a rustic character, are instances of the want of 

 congruity. On the same principle, the attaching of a common 

 greenhouse to a dwelling of any pretence to architectural style 

 cannot be admissible. 



In the arrangement of an estate, there should be one expression 

 or leading feature, to which the others should be subordinate. 

 This principle, termed Unity, should be recognized even more in 

 small estates than in large ones, for the reason that its violation 

 in the former is more striking and more quickly detected. 



Unity, however, should not interfere with the proper introduc- 

 tion of Variety, which should be shown in the plantations, in the 

 walks, flower-beds, and in the various garden ornaments, as well 

 as in the vistas, recesses, pieces of water, etc. " Variety' must 

 be considered as belonging more to the details than to the produc- 

 tion of a whole. By producing intricacy, it creates in scenery a 

 thousand points of interest, and elicits new beauties through 

 diff"erent arrangements and combinations of forms and colors, 

 lights and shades."* 



Simjylicity is an essential element in the laying out and em- 

 bellishment of the small suburban estate. It is not inconsistent 

 with the other principles of which we have spoken, nor is it in- 

 compatible with true elegance and refinement. 



Convenience never should be sacrificed to ostentation and ex- 

 travagance, as is too often the case. Perhaps this mistake is 

 more frequently made in the disposition of walks and roads than 

 in any other way. Mr. Mitchell tells us in very pleasing words 

 what guides we should follow in this matter. 



" A walk," he says,t " is first of all a convenience ; whether 

 leading from door to highway, or to the stable court, or thi'ough 

 gardens, or to the wood, it is essentially, and most of all, a con- 

 venience ; and to despoil it of this quality, by interposing circles 

 or curves, which have no meaning or suflScient cause, is mere 



* Downing's Landscape Gardening, f My Farm of Edgewood. 



