362 DRESSED OR GEOMETRICAL GARDENS. Pakt III. 



into it, according to the taste of the owner and various cir- 

 cumstances. 



I shall confine myself to the formal geometrical garden ; 

 and whether laid out on sloping ground or on a level spot its 

 plan may be of a very similar character, at least in that portion 

 nearest to the house ; and though on a level space there can 

 be no succession of terraces one above the other, the gradation 

 from the geometrical portion to the less formal garden beyond 

 may be equally maintained ; and the mode of arrangement will 

 depend on the extent and character of the grounds, the site 

 of the garden, and the plan and direction of the house. This, 

 however, should be observed, that where the space is limited 

 a number of high formal yew or other dipt evergreen hedges 

 are out of place, as their avenues cannot be of sufficient size 

 to prevent the walks between them from becoming damp and 

 overgrown with moss ; and the small garden should not aspire 

 to the same pretensions as one of greater extent. This too 

 may be laid down as a rule, that in no case trees be made to 

 imitate peacocks and other birds, or be cut into grotesque 

 shapes ; and such caricatures are not excusable even in the 

 garden of a country village. 



Whether the grounds or gardens be large or small it is ad- 

 visable that no trees be near the house, as they tend to make 

 it damp, and in autumn strew the walks with leaves ; but the 

 approach to the house may be by an avenue of fine trees, 

 than which nothing is more beautiful, more grand, or more 

 in keeping with the building ; and those who prefer a winding 

 road to the very door of the house, on the plea of its being 

 natural, forget that the approach, however winding, is quite 

 as artificial as the far more effective avenue. The road, 

 before reaching the avenue, may be as circuitous as the 

 ground and other circumstances require ; and this gradation 

 from the open country, or from the park, to the dressed parts 

 about the house is a consistent and agreeable transition. Care 



