30 THE VILLA GARDENER. 



as the ash and the Robinia, with such as have narrow, grass-like, or needle- 

 like leaves, such as the deciduous cypress, and pines, and firs. We repeat, 

 that, for assembling trees and shrubs in a harmonious manner with reference 

 to general appearance, excellent hints are afforded by the natural system of 

 botany ; and that the artist who has a general knowledge of this system, and 

 understands, at the same time, the principles of composition as applied to 

 lines and forms, which we have been endeavouring to lay down, can never 

 be at a loss how to proceed. 



45. Variety in the views obtained from the house, and from the different 

 walks conducted through the grounds, is one of the grand desiderata in every 

 place laid out in the modern style, whether its extent may be large or small. 

 With respect to the views from the house, the first thing to be attended to is, 

 the disposition of the rooms, so that their windows may look in diflerent direc- 

 tions. Unless this has been studied by the architect, it will be impossible, 

 even in the finest situation, to produce much variety in the views. Suppose 

 a house placed on a slope, commanding an extensive prospect: if all the 

 rooms looked towards that prospect, all of them would have good views, but 

 these views would not be varied ; whereas if, from one side of the house, the 

 windows of one room (say the drawing-room) looked out on a level flower- 

 garden ; and if, on another side, those of the dining-room looked up the 

 slope ; while, on a third side, those of the library, or breakfast-room, com- 

 manded the distant prospect; there Avould be three distinct characters of 

 view. Now, in very small places (say of a quarter of an acre, or even less, 

 in extent), this varied disposition of the rooms, or, rather, of the manner of 

 lighting them, ought never to be lost sight of; because, altogether independ- 

 ently of distance, or of any object beyond the boundary fence, the views 

 may be rendered of different characters by the different kinds of trees and 

 shrubs planted ; by their different disposition ; by a difference of form in the 

 ground, and by a difference in the architectural ornaments, or by the absence 

 of architectural ornaments altogether. Even a difference in the form and 

 size of the window, or the absence or presence of a balcony or veranda, will 

 altogether alter, the character of the scenery. Wherever, therefore, a house 

 stands isolated, and has a clear space of a few yards on each side of it, it 

 may always have at least four different characters of view, independently of 

 the effect produced by balconies, verandas, or other changes in the windows 

 or foreground. Hence, also, in limited plots of ground, whatever is their 

 shape, greater variety of view will be produced by placing the house nearer 

 one end, or nearer one side, than in the centre. In the latter case, it is 

 impossible to get depth of view from any side, and thus a great source of 

 beauty is lost. A deep view includes a greater number of objects, and, con- 

 sequently, admits of a greater variety of effect of light and shade ; it increases 

 our ideas of extent, and, by concealing more from the eye than can be done 

 in a confined view, it gives a greater exercise to the imagination. Add to 

 this, that, in a small place, depth of view is not expected ; and, consequently, 

 when it does occur, its eflect is the more striking by the surprise it occasions, 

 as well as by its contrast with the other views, which must necessarily be 

 very limited. h\fig. 17., a is the house, placed at one side of a plot; h, the 

 drawing-room, having a view the whole length of the garden : c is the dining- 

 room, having a very confined view, and, in short, looking across some bushes, 

 to a screen of evergreens (say hollies or evergreen oaks) ; d is the breakfast- 



