116 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



hibits some of the cleverest illustrations of practical skill in laying 

 out grounds that we remember to have seen.* 



If no person, about to improve a country residence, would ex- 

 pend a dollar until he had visited and carefully studied, at least 

 twenty places of the character of these which we have thus pointed 

 out, we think the number of specimens of bad taste, or total want 

 of taste, would be astonishingly diminished. We could point to 

 half a dozen examples within our own knowledge, where ten days 

 spent by their proprietors in examining what had already been done 

 in some of the best specimens of building and gardening in the 

 country, could not but have prevented their proprietors from mak- 

 ing their places absolutely hideous, and throwing away ten, twenty, 

 or thirty thousand dollars. Ignorance is not bliss, nor is it econo- 

 my, in improving a country-seat. 



We think, also, there can scarcely be a question that an exam- 

 ination of the best examples of taste in rural improvement at 

 home, is far more instructive to an American, than an inspection of 

 the finest country places in Europe ; and this, chiefly, because a 

 really successful example at home is based upon republican modes 

 of life, enjoyment, and expenditure, which are almost the reverse 

 of those of an aristocratic government. For the same reason, we 

 think those places most instructive, and best worthy general study 

 in this country, which realize most completely our ideal of refined 

 country life in America. To do this, it is by no means necessary to 

 have baronial possessions, or a mansion of vast extent. No more 

 should be attempted than can be done well, and in perfect harmony 

 with our habits, mode of life, and domestic institutions. Henee, 

 smaller suburban residences, like those in the neighborhood of Bos- 

 ton, are, perhaps, better models, or studies for the public generally, 

 than our grander and more extensive seats ; mainly because they 

 are more expressive of the means and character of the majority of 



* We should apologize for thus pointing out private places, did we not 

 know that the liberal proprietors of those just named, are persons who take 

 the liveliest interest in the progress of good taste, and will cheerfully allow 

 their places to be examined by those who visit them with such motives aa 

 we here urge, very different from idle curiosity. 



