^taping ut of a parfe or Estate 61 



always be remembered that nearly every idea concern- 

 ing the composition of landscape put forth in this book 

 applies equally to a small as to a large place, in one 

 country as in another, even in one age as well as another, 

 and in all future chapters it will be found that this 

 recognition of the universality of fundamental ideas 

 will continue to be emphasized. However, as example 

 is always more impressive than precept, it may be well 

 to give two or three sketches to explain and to illustrate 

 this comprehensive idea. In this way, the subject may 

 be made clearer. 



Newburgh is a considerable town on the Hudson 

 about sixty miles from New York. It is an old town 

 and has had for a hundred years a reputation for the 

 beauty of its homes standing in full view of some of the 

 finest scenes of the Hudson. The father of landscape 

 gardening in America, A. J. Downing, lived seventy 

 years ago at Newburgh, where his home still exists. 

 To his influence may be attributed some of the land- 

 scape-gardening excellence visible in different parts of 

 the city and in its immediate neighbourhood. While 

 it is hardly at the present time what one would call a 

 smart place where the estates are like those on some 

 parts of Long Island, or at Newport, or in the regions 

 where fashion draws the very rich, Newburgh is a 

 dignified and fine place. The art shown in its estates 

 would be recognized anywhere as that of people who 

 knew how to appreciate and care for fine specimens of 

 old shade trees, pools of water, and vistas across the 

 lawns and through the foliage. It is not surprising 



