JUNE. 



259 



is still a character of such force that, whicliever prevails, the 

 propriety" of all other characters, and of every species of heau- 

 ty, must be tried by their conformity to this : and circum- 

 stances necessary to oue may be inconsistencies in the rest. 

 Elegance is the peculiar excellence of a garden ; greatness, 

 of a park; simplicity, of a farm ; and pleasantness, of a rid-' 

 ing. These distinguishing properties will alone exclude from 

 the one many objects wdiich are very acceptable in the others. 



Minute beauties generally abound in a garden ; they may 

 be frequent in a farm; in both we have an opportunity to 

 observe and examine them ; in a park they are below our 

 notice ; in a riding they escape it. Prospects are agreeable 

 to either of the four general subjects, but not equally neces- 

 sary to all. In a garden, or in a farm, scenes within them- 

 selves are often satisfactory ; and in their retired spots an 

 opening would be improper. A park is defective if confined 

 to its enclosure : a perpetual succession of home scenes, 

 though so large an extent wants variety and fine prospects, 

 are circumstances of greatness. A riding has seldom much 

 beauty of its own ; it depends on objects without for its 

 pleasantness; if it only leads now and then to a striking 

 point, and is dull all the rest of the way, it will not be much 

 frequented ; but very moderate views are sufficient to render 

 its progress agreeable. 



The best situation for a house is not that which has the 

 greatest command ; a cheerful look-out from the windows is 

 all that the proprietor desires: he is more sensible to the 

 charms of greater prospects, if he sees them only occasionally, 

 and they do not become insipid by being familiar. For the 

 same reason he does not wish for them in every ))art of his 

 garden, and temporary concealments give them fresh spirit 

 wherever they appear. 



The author's remarks that follow, concernitig the different 

 styles suitable to a farm and a garden, are very judicious. 

 Though a farm and a garden agree in many particulars, con- 

 nected with extent, yet in style they are the two extremes. 

 Both, indeed, are subjects of cultivation ; but cultivation in 

 the one is husbandry ; and, in the other, decoration : the 



