178 



Architecture. 



The flowers on the lawn are distributed in masses, in the manner of 

 Dropmore, but, as it struck us, with less taste and judgment. The masses 

 are frequently very handsome of themselves {fig- 63.), but they are not 

 always fitted in to their situations in such a way, as that they would be 

 pronounced wrongly placed, if moved either backwards or forwards, or 

 to the right or left. This is the undoubted test of right and wrong, in 

 the disposition of these masses ; because it is only by such a disposition, 

 that any thing like effect or character can be produced. The common 

 way of ornamenting a lawn with clumps or groups of flowers, is, to 

 scatter over it a number of circles, ovals, or other geometrical figures ; 

 or, perhaps, of irregular-sized, wave, or angular-lined shapes. But the 

 effect of these masses depends far less on their shapes individually, than 

 on their connection or relative situation. Most people distribute such 

 shapes pretty regularly over the surface to be ornamented, the conse- 

 quence of which is, sameness or monotony of appearance ; whereas, were 

 the figures or masses more numerous at one place than another, in some 

 places very close together, and in others very widely apart, what painters 

 call effect would be produced ; i. e. there would be broad, irregular glades 

 of lawn, and broad, varied, and irregular masses of flowers. Attention to 

 these particulars alone will produce what is called effect ; a farther atten- 

 tion to the walks, buildings, trees, architectural ornaments, water, rocks, 

 &c., on or connected with the lawn, will produce character, or what may 

 be called distinctive effect. The lowest degree of distinctive effect is that 

 of fitting in shapes of groups or beds to particular angles or turns of walks, 

 buildings, fences, or trees. Character may be created by forming pieces of 

 water, artificial hills and hollows, rockwork, buildings, and statues. What 

 is frequently very displeasing in pleasure-grounds is, the existence of all the 

 attributes of character, as buildings, water, statues, &c., where the previous 

 and subservient beauty of effect has not been attended to. This, in garden 

 scenery, is like what knowledge without refinement is in society ; the reason 

 vphy it occurs so frequently is, that more minds are capable of being struck 

 by character, than of being charmed by effect, and that most people pay 

 greater deference to wealth than to refinement. It may be some consola- 

 tion to gardeners all over the country, to know that the most select garden 

 of their king has the faults common to most of those of his subjects. 



Art. VII. Architecture. 



Fixing Glass in Sashes ivithout the aid of Astragals. — The frame should 

 be of cast-iron, stone, or wood 

 that will not shrink ; then 

 •wherever the angles of four 

 squares come in contact {fig. 64. 

 a), join them by a copper rivet 

 and nut (c); the result in a win- 

 dow of nine panes of plate glass 

 will only be four dark spots, 

 square or round at pleasure, 

 and not exceeding an inch in 

 diameter {b). This elegant in- 

 vention is by John Robison, 

 Esq. F. R. S., Edinburgh, and 

 communicated by him to Dr. 

 Brewster's Journal for January, 

 1827. To the windows of rooms 



