48 Landscape Gardening 



slight and insensible changes, and from that artful arrange- 

 ment of single plants and groups which produces freshness of 

 aspect and newness of vista from so many different points 

 of view, must not be neglected. For a garden may be all 

 that is correct, tasteful, and classical, and yet, like a well- 

 molded countenance, prove dull, tame, and void of expres- 

 sion. It is play of feature, — a something behind and beyond, 

 which has not been explored, — novelty of expression, varia- 

 tion of aspect, an alluring attraction onwards after higher 

 beauties, — that constitutes, in both instances, the life, the 

 spirit, and the charm. Intricacy is, in fact, the very soul of 

 landscape gardening. 



3. Convenience is Hkewise a thing which requires to be 

 duly studied and provided for. As, in a house, a beautiful 

 exterior will never compensate for defective internal accom- 

 modation, so, with a garden, the most perfectly tasteful dispo- 

 sition of parts will never give real satisfaction if comfort and 

 convenience have been sacrificed. It must be remembered 

 that a garden is intended not merely to be looked at from the 

 windows of a house or the elevation of a terrace-walk, but to 

 be used and to be enjoyed. The walks should therefore pass 

 as easily and as directly to their appointed objects as can well 

 be accomplished, and they should be dry in wet weather and 

 smooth during drought. The land must also be well drained, 

 so as to be capable of being worked or walked upon at all 

 times,. Every feature of interest ought always to be com- 

 fortably accessible. A flower garden and a greenhouse should 

 be near or adjoining the house for the sake of affording the 

 family ready means of examining or gathering the flowers. 

 A kitchen garden should not be far from the kitchen, that 

 the produce may be conveyed to the "latter with little labor, 

 and without attracting observation. It should further be 

 placed near the stable-yard, that manure may be easily 



