266 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



It is the private road, leading from the public highway, di- 

 rectly to the house itself. It should therefore bear a propor- 

 tionate breadth and size, and exhibit marks of good keeping, 

 in accordance with the dignity of the mansion. 



In the ancient style of gardening, the Approach was so 

 formed as to enter directly in front of the house, affording 

 a full view of that portion of the edifice, and no other. A 

 line drawn as directly as possible, and evenly bordered on 

 each side with a tall avenue of trees, was the whole expendi- 

 ture of art necessary in its formation. It is true, the simpli- 

 city of design was often more than counterbalanced by the 

 difiiculty of levelling, grading, and altering the surface, ne- 

 cessary to please the geometric eye ; but the rules were as 

 plain and unchangeable, as the lines were parallel and un- 

 deviating. 



In the present more advanced state of Landscape Garden- 

 ing, the formation of the Approach has become equally a 

 matter of artistical skill with other details of the art. The 

 house is generally so approached, that the eye shall first meet 

 it in an angular direction, displaying not only the beauty 

 of the architectural facade^ but also one of the end eleva- 

 tions, thus giving a more complete idea of the size, character, 

 or elegance of the building : and instead of leading in a direct 

 line, from the gate to the house, it curves in easy lines through 

 certain portions of the park or lawn, until it reaches that 

 object. 



If the point where the Approach is to start from the high- 

 way, be not already determined past alteration, it should be 

 so chosen, as to afford a sufficient drive through the grounds 

 before arriving at the house, to give the stranger some idea 

 of the extent of the whole property : to allow an agreeable 

 diversity of surface over which to lead it: and lastly in such 



