INTRODUCTION. 7 



possible shelter that bestows pleasurable sensations. Falling ground 

 appears shorter, whilst level ground at the base of a hill, as also 

 rising ground, seems longer than it in reality is. The idea of spacious- 

 ness can be artificially promoted, particularly by the breaking of 

 continuous lines and hard boundary lines, and by providing various 

 objects for the eye to count, just outside the direct line of sight. 

 Vision invariably travels down a hollow, or depression, or through 

 any opening. Thus the idea of distance may be created, and the 

 eye be conducted to realise what is desired. By directing the vision 

 to distant beauties of landscape, they may be brought into the 

 artist's plan. Trees especially serve to frame a particular view. 

 In every situation a beyond implies discovery, and affects the imagi- 

 nation. The area is circumscribed of which we can take cognizance 

 too readily and completely ; imagination is then confused or frustrated. 

 The beauty of water, in motion or still, is of universal acceptance. 

 The created character of a water-feature must be consonant with 

 the surrounding land ; for fitness to surrounding conditions is a 

 measure of beauty to both. A lake expresses spaciousness ; but 

 much of its charm is due to its outline. A river expresses action. 

 Trees or high banks on the edge of water diminish its extent 

 when seen from the opposite bank, and make it dull. An opening 

 in the -trees, or the lowering of a high bank, make a gleam of light, 

 and the length in that direction appears greater. The ground 

 immediately around a dwelling, forming the artificial base on 

 which it rests, should be treated formally, and the site and aspect 

 of the house will, in a measure, determine the relation to it of the 

 contiguous ground. The approaches should be direct, convenient, 

 and not strained. 



Such deductions as the foregoing may serve to illustrate some 

 of the resources of the Landscape Gardener, and by their paucity 

 in relation to the infinite developments of beauty in the nature 



