138 GARDEN-CRAFT. 



reason an avenue is most pleasing which, like that at 

 Langley Park, climbs up a hill, and passing over the 

 summit, leaves the fancy to conceive its termina- 

 tion." 



The very dignity of an avenue seems to demand 

 that there shall be something worthy of this proces- 

 sion of trees at its end, and if the house to which 

 this feature is applied be unworthy, a sense of dis- 

 appointment ensues. Provided, however, that the 

 house be worthy of this dignity, and that its intro- 

 duction does not mar the view, or dismember the 

 ground, an avenue is both an artistic and convenient 

 approach. 



Should circumstances not admit of the use of an 

 avenue, the drive should be as direct as may well be, 

 and if curved, there should be some clear and obvious 

 justification for the curve or divergence ; it should be 

 clear that the road is diverted to obtain a glimpse of 

 open country that would otherwise be missed, or 

 that a steep hill or awkward dip is thus avoided. 

 The irregularity in the line of the road should not, 

 however, be the occasion of any break in the gradient 

 of the road, which should be continuously even 

 throughout. In this matter of planning roads, 

 common sense, as well as artistic sense, should be 

 satisfied ; there should be no straining after pompous 

 effects. Except in cases where the house is near to 

 the public road, the drive should not run parallel to 

 the road for the mere sake of gaining a pretentious 

 effect. Nor should the road overlook the garden, a 

 point that touches the comfort both of residents and 



