22 THE ART AND PRACTICE OF LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



and to the south-west. The principal approach and entrance should 

 be on the north-western face, the offices on the north-eastern side, 

 the stables and the kitchen garden beyond. The pleasure gardens 

 should be on the south-eastern aspect, with a continuation towards 

 the east ; the south-western face might be open to the park. As 

 one does not exhibit a beautiful vase on the floor, but on a pro- 

 portionate pedestal, so the house should be made to appear to rest 

 on some base that may dignify it. That effect is best achieved by 

 giving straight lines of walk, or slope, wall, or balustrade, according 

 with the levels of the ground, and with the architectural character 

 of the house. Such base is called a terrace, and the space enclosed 

 by the horizontal lines, a terrace garden, described in detail here- 

 after. The terrace garden is an artificial creation, and should show 

 in every detail the hand of man, differing in this from the garden 

 proper, which, though fine in calculated detail of its plan, should 

 express by its breadth of treatment, but unmistakably, that nature 

 has triumphed over art, because art has subtly tutored the develop- 

 ment of nature's overwhelming beauty. 



