ScJcelVs Landscape-Gar deniiig. 543 



VII. Bridges in Gardens. 



1. Bridges in gardens are very ornamental, and capable of 

 producing a great deal of effect, when beautiful forms are chosen, 

 and the whole constructed according to the scientific rules of 

 art. These bridges may be of stone, iron, or wood ; only, when 

 of the latter material, the piers should always be of stone, so 

 that when the bridge is so much out of repair that a new one is 

 required in its place, it may be erected on the same piers, by 

 which means the plants on the banks of the stream remain 

 uninjured, and the communication across is sooner rendered 

 available. 



2. I cannot omit mentioning here what are called rustic 

 bridges and rustic seats, which are formed of the natural 

 branches of trees fastened together, and with the moss grown 

 over the bark, so very frequently seen in gardens. Such bridges 

 have no claims as works of art; they are not durable, but even 

 dangerous, and their appearance is poor and miserable. The 

 same may be said of the dirty garden seats of a similar struc- 

 ture, on which the clothes cling to the dry rough branches, and 

 get torn and dirtied. 



Besides these playthings, there are many others which offend 

 good taste quite as much as rustic-work, and which cannot be 

 admitted under the name of art in the natural garden. I will 

 give but a few examples of these, which I have seen myself in 

 different gardens; but the respect I have for the proprietors 

 prevents me giving the names. 



In a hollow withered stem of an oak stands a hermit, cut out 

 in wood, reading the bible ; you are desired to open a small 

 door in the tree, upon doing which, you receive a blow on 

 the head from the hermit's bible ! Not far off sits Diogenes in a 

 tub ! In another part, a kind of artificial arch is seen, the 

 interior of which is painted over with vines, and called a grotto ! 

 You are invited to come in as if to enjoy a fine prospect, and to 

 sit down on a chair Turnished with a thick cushion. The moment 

 you sit down, the distressed cries of a cat are heard, as if you 

 had crushed it under the cushion, which causes you to start up 

 again immediately : this witty invention is truly laughable. 



In another garden a tower is shown dedicated to Lady Marl- 

 borough. A winding staircase leads to the statue of the lady 

 clothed in mourning, who is looking through a telescope at a 

 page who seems to be coming over a distant hill on horseback, 

 and on the telescope are these words : " Ah ! Je vois venir le 

 page ! " * The rope which raises and lets fall the trapdoor of 



* " Ah ! I see the page coming ! " 

 1841. — XI. 3d Ser. n n 



