Untrofcuction 31 



architectural perspectives and to echo and supple- 

 ment architectural grandeur, is not preferred where 

 there are moderate advantages for the adoption 

 of a natural style, even for the purposes of a prom- 

 enade. The reason may be that where carriages are 

 used in the frequent passing over of long spaces of 

 bare surface which they make necessary, formal 

 arrangements and confined scenes become very tire- 

 some. In passing along a curving road, its borders 

 planted irregularly, the play of light and shade and 

 the succession of objects more or less distinct which 

 are disclosed and obscured in succession is never 

 wholly without interest, while an agreeable open 

 landscape is always refreshing in contrast to the 

 habitual confinement of the city." 



It is evident therefore that in entering on the con- 

 sideration of the principles and practice of landscape 

 gardening it is well to keep in mind that we are, if we 

 are doing good work, not undertaking new artistic 

 endeavour, but following lines literally as old as the 

 hills. Practical everyday studies of nature are what 

 are needed. All the references made confirm this view. 

 Authorities are often indeed illuminating and have 

 great value; not only to inform the student, but to 

 stimulate to further study in the right direction, and to 

 suggest where to find new material for study. Books of 

 any kind, however, can be no more than helps in the 

 right direction, for practical experience and the study 

 of nature in park and garden and diversified woodland 



