42 MASSACHUSETTS HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



saying that while it is not possible to lay clown specific rules for 

 the arrangement of all grounds, yet we may and must be guided 

 by certain principles, which are not to be violated ; and he expressed 

 his warm approval of those laid down in the essay. 



Rev. A. B. Muzzey said that he had been both pleased and 

 instructed by Dr. Slade's essay, the completeness of which is due, 

 not only to the study of the best authorities, but to his own 

 reflections and original views. The remark that nature is to be 

 imitated^ not copied, was new to him ; and he thought there was a 

 great deal of sense in it. We should not seek for what is novel 

 and strange, nor, on the other hand, should we be servile copyists, 

 but keep under the spirit and influence of nature. In earlier 

 times the great drift of all our activity in architecture and garden- 

 ing was in the direction of utility ; but now the nation has 

 progressed far enough to make an advance on this principle, and 

 give some attention to sesthetics. The Great Architect, in his 

 creation does not regard solely the principle of utility. In 

 building houses and laying out grounds we often see vast sums 

 expended with a painful disregard of the true principles of beauty. 

 Mr. Muzzey wished the Society could be the means of diffusing a 

 better knowledge and taste on this subject and hoped that Dr. 

 Slade's essay would be widely circulated, as it laid down correct 

 and important principles of beauty.' 



President Parkman said that devotion to the principle of utility 

 is not the onl}' difficulty we have to encounter. Besides that, 

 there is a tendency in people, especially in those who have 

 suddenly acquired wealth, by a lavish display of it to assert their 

 equality or superiority over others. The principle of utility as 

 well as beauty is thus sacrificed to a tasteless ostentation, and he 

 hoped that we might encounter both these enemies successfull3^ 



Mr. Fuller expressed the hope that the statement in the essay 

 that greenhouses should not be attached to mansions, would be 

 confined to common greenhouses or propagating houses. While 

 he would object to "lean-tos" and awkward structures, he cer- 

 tainly should approve of a fine conservatory opening from the 

 dining room or hall. 



Dr. Slade replied that he made a distinction between conserva- 

 tories corresponding in architectural character to the mansion, 

 and greenhouses of the Common style. 



Charles M. Hovey thought the essay very correct in its general 



