HARMONY IN LANDSCAPES. 41 



The cultivation of trees and shrubs, a well kept lawn, and a dis- 

 tribution of flowers constitute all that can be expected therein. 



Where in other cases greater results might reasonably be looked 

 for, — there being neither lack of means nor opportunities, — we 

 must attribute the failure to appreciate the beautiful in nature 

 to a want of early aesthetic culture, — a neglect in education which 

 it behooves us not to have laid at our door by the rising generation 

 of our countrymen. 



Discussion. 



H. Weld Fuller expressed his admiration of the care and taste 

 evinced in the essay. He agreed with the essayist in approving 

 Downing's division of natural scenery into the Picturesque and 

 the Beautiful. Each of these classes must have its appropriate 

 treatment — in Picturesque scenery the intricacy and ruggedness 

 may be increased, while in the Beautiful the natural polish may be 

 intensified. In both we should seek for harmony and congruity, 

 and avoid abrupt transitions from one to the other. In regard to 

 flowers, Mr. Fuller said that Nature spreads hers with great care 

 and delicacy, and not in such profusion as to cause disgust. In 

 wild landscapes they should be used sparingly, but in the Beauti- 

 ful, where they more properly belong, they may be used more 

 freely. He had been pleased with the remarks of the essayist on 

 the congruity of buildings with the landscape, though he did not 

 like the natural color of brick for country houses. He preferred 

 wood colors. Away from the city, the Gotliic style, the lines of 

 which approach the forms of forest trees, is often appropriate. In 

 laying out avenues through grounds, we should generally show 

 a reason for deviations from a straight line ; but may not a 

 beautiful lawn, well displayed, be a sufficient reason? The 

 attempt to make all situations yield to a given form would be 

 vain. Eveiy place must be treated according to its own pecu- 

 liarities, position, and scenery. Thus in the Lyman place in 

 Brookline, one of the most beautiful in Massachusetts, a straight 

 avenue is the most natural approach, while the Goddard place 

 can best be approached by a curve. Straight lines may be used 

 in a vista, but, as remarked in the essay, they should not be 

 closely planted on one side of the way where the other is arranged 

 in the natural and irregular style. Mr. Fuller concluded by 



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