JUNE. 



253 



shape of ground must be either a convex, a concave, or a 

 plane: in terms less technical, called a swell, a hollow, and a 

 level. By the combinations of these are formed all the irreg- 

 ularities of which ground is capable ; and the beauty of it 

 depends on the degrees and the proportions in which they 

 are blended. Levels were generally preferred in the old 

 gardens — in the modern style, uneven surfaces are chosen. 

 A large, dead flat raises no other idea than that of satiety : 

 the eye finds no amusement, no repose on such a level ; it is 

 fatigued unless soon relieved by an adequate termination. A 

 very wide plain at the foot of a mountain is less tedious than 

 one of much less compass, surrounded by hillocks. A con- 

 tinued range of the noblest wood, or the finest hill, would 

 not cure the insipidity of a .flat. The least deviation from 

 the uniformity of a plain changes its nature : as long as the 

 flat remains, it depends on the objects around for all its beauty ; 

 but convex and concave forms are generally pleasing, and the 

 number of degrees and combinations into which they may 

 be cast is infinite. Lines gently curved, which are not parts 

 of any circle ; a hollow, sinking but little below a level ; a 

 swell, very much flattened at the top, are commonly the most 

 agreeable figures. 



In ground that lies beautifully, the concave Avill generally 

 prevail. There are situations, however, where the convex 

 form would be preferred. A hollow, just below the brow of 

 a hill, reduces it to a narrow ridge, which has a poor, meagre 

 appearance ; and an abrupt fall will never seem to join with 

 a concave form immediately above it. Little inequalities in 

 nature are usually well blended together : all lines of separa- 

 tion have, in course of time, been filled up ; in made ground, 

 therefore, when they are left open, that ground appears arti- 

 ficial. In every instance, when ground changes its direction, 

 there is a point where the change is eff"ected, and that point 

 should never appear. 



Every piece of ground is distinguished by certain proper- 

 ties : it is either tame or bold ; gentle or rude ; continued or 

 broken ; and the prevailing idea ought to pervade every part, 

 so far as to exclude whatever distracts it, and to accommodate 



