MR. URBAN AND A CO UNTR Y HO USE. 285 



perspective ; the scattered trees or coppices are not 

 mere woolly blotches, but slant their shadows upon 

 the surface and toss their tops into the sky-line ; 

 curves are not cognizable in their length, or ease, 

 or abruptnesses at a glance we steal upon them by 

 degrees ; they please by their easy cheatery by 

 their unexpected sequence by such abrupt diver- 

 sions, even, as have palpable cause in inequality of 

 surface or obtruding rock or cliff. It is quite pos- 

 sible, indeed nay, it is altogether probable that the 

 curves and devices which are most charmingly effect- 

 ive in the work itself, may have a stiffness and an 

 impertinence upon the map which will thoroughly 

 disappoint. 



As cases in point, I remember once looking down 

 with exceeding interest from the height of some 

 Italian town (I think in Bologna) upon what seemed 

 a charming garden ; its curves were full of grace ; 

 its little coppices were admirably adjusted ; its flow 

 of walks as happy as a dream ; but when I found my 

 way to it afterward, by a bribe to its custodian, and 

 met it upon tame level the bird's-eye view being 

 gone it seemed the baldest of dreary pattern-work 

 in turf with no significance in its curves, and no 

 keeping in its lines. 



Again, there was a day when I went wandering 

 in sun and shadow through the masses of a Scotch 



