84 Landscape-Gar deningf 



As the complexion of a castle declares it to be for defence and 

 security, the deceit may be carried a little farther for the sake 

 of consistency, by giving the ground some impressions from 

 the science of fortification. The scarp, fosse, and cotmter- 

 scatp, may be well and rationally imitated in forming a ter- 

 race. The ha-ha may represent a line of circumvallatiun be- 

 yond a glacis of lawn. Approaches may be quite in character. 

 If water be in the composition, a tete du pont would be no 

 mean embellishment ,• and covered iioaijs may be introduced with 

 perfect propriety. In short, an uncle Toby designer might 

 ichnographically make out a very clever thing; and altogether 

 as rational, as planting a park in the order of some famous 

 battle. 



But as these castellated mansions (designed in the office of 

 the architect, perhaps, without reference to their intended 

 site) are often seen standing in the midst of beautiful grounds, 

 the gardener can hardly determine what to do with them. 

 Nothing that he can do will be at once consistent with such a 

 building and such a place. The character of the building re- 

 quires the boldest description of picturesque scenery ; but this 

 cannot be done upon a surface which is simply beautiful. 



But when such buildings stand on a site which justifies their 

 character, where the difficulty of approach and commanding 

 height gives the idea of impregnability, like the aerie of an 

 eagle built on high ; crowning the highest peak of a pi'omon- 

 tory, or the top of an insulated rock in the middle of an exten- 

 sive vale ; where the surrounding country is of a mountainous 

 character, here shooting boldly forward in disjointed cliffs, and 

 there receding back in deep winding dells ; such position for 

 a castle is in every respect appropriate. As the dread of hos- 

 tile attack no longer exists, all the enrichments of planting may 

 be given, even up to the ramparts ; on the surrounding heights ; 

 on the sloping sides of the dells : on the shelves of the rocks, 

 and in detached groups in the vale, to checker the verdant 

 mead. Water usually abounds in such situations ; and whe- 

 ther as a partly surrounding lake, or river, much may be 

 made of it. Bridges, islets, sailing vessels, with all its gay 

 reflections. 



Fortunate is the possessor of such a romantic spot ; every 

 kind of scenic gratification may be his. Happy the designer 

 who has such a spot to decorate ; it allows full scope for the 

 exercise of his powers, the most ample field for the display 

 of his talents. Beauty may be presented playing on the banks 

 of the lake ; picturesqueness will appear in the irregular ele- 

 vations and outlines of the buildings, and from the broken 

 and shaggy fronts of the higher grounds ; and even impres- 



