HISTORICAL NOTICES. 27 



self acquainted with all that can be acquired from written 

 works within his reach, to strengthen his taste and add to his 

 knowledge, by a practical inspection of the best country seats 

 among us. In an infant state of society, in regard to the fine 

 arts, much will be done in violation of good taste ; but here, 

 where nature has done so much for us, there is scarcely a 

 large country residence in the Union, from which useful hints 

 in Landscape Gardening, may not be taken. A natural group 

 of trees, an accidental pond of water, or some equally simple 

 object, may form a study more convincing to the mind of a 

 true admirer of natural beauty, than the most carefully drawn 

 plan, or the most elaborately written description. 



