SUMMER-HOUSES, PERGOLAS AND BRIDGES. 



FIG. 187. BRIDGE IN DEVONSHIRE BUILT OF LOCAL GRANITE. 



Stone 

 bridges. 



harmonize with garden scenery, and for this reason does not appeal to garden lovers. Iron 

 There are, however, many positions where it may be used with perfect propriety and bridges 

 without injury to the most beautiful natural scenes, if designed in keeping with their 

 spirit as regards the main proportions of the structure, and it is kept perfectly plain and 

 free from cast-iron filigree ornament. Even better results may be obtained by combining 

 iron with stone, as when stone bastions or pilasters, crowned by sculptured figures, 

 support a perfectly plain girder bridge, as in so many parks on the Continent. The one 

 great advantage of iron 

 is that it is possible by 

 its aid to cross a wide 

 stream or gorge at com- 

 paratively little cost, and, 

 generally speaking, it is 

 only under such con- 

 ditions that its use can 

 be encouraged in the 

 garden, for it is un- 

 questionable that stone 

 or brick are materials 

 which lend themselves 

 far more sympathetic- 

 ally to the interpretation 

 of its spirit. 



A stone bridge need 

 not be elaborate ; in- 

 deed there are few 

 places grand enough to 

 stand a palladian bridge 

 such as that at Wilton, 

 nor will there often be 

 opportunity for one on 

 such a large scale as 

 that which spans the 

 river Derwent at Chats- 

 worth ; and even in this 

 latter classic example, 

 although, from the usual 

 view point, given in 

 illustration No. 185, the 

 bridge and house form 

 a logical and harmonious 

 composition, in reality, 

 aesthetic connection is 



a little lacking and the spectator feels that, either the more formal portion of the 

 grounds should have been brought into relation with the bridge or its treatment should 

 have been somewhat simpler. 



Whenever the bridge is visible from the mansion or forms a part of the pleasure 

 grounds or park, its design and proportions as well as its details will need the most 

 careful balancing against its surroundings. Especially will this be so where, as at 

 Ballimore, in Argyleshire, illustration No. 402, it forms a part of a formal terrace 

 scheme as well as a vantage point from which to view the naturally treated stream 



