'468 Landscape-Gardenings 



Truth is thus, and not unfrequently, sacrificed to produce 

 effect ; but this, as it is excess of design, is unworthy of the 

 art, as of the artist. 



Many real scenes, which are extremely pleasing to the 

 spectator, are neglected by the painter, because of their too 

 great smoothness ; and, though this is one of the attributes of 

 beauty, it is unsuitable for the canvass, requiring broad masses 

 of colour, which are always disagreeably insipid in a picture, if 

 not checkered by shadows. 



Scenes which have particularly attracted the attention of 

 painters, have been divided, by the virtuosi, into three distinct 

 characters, viz. the beautiful, the picturesque, and the sublime. 



The first is one where general smoothness, freshness, and 

 mild variety of features prevail ; where luxuriant vegetation, in 

 all its softest forms and tints, is reflected from the clear expanse 

 of placid water ; where the surface of the ground undulates 

 into easy slopes and gentle swells ; where the smooth and 

 verdant turf spreads into open lawns, or, retiring, winds out of 

 view between, and behind, the foremost ranks of stately trees ; 

 where the distant hills are seen rising, in graceful forms, over the 

 thickened woods of the middle distance, and appear to embrace 

 and protect the favoured spot, enlivened by the gambols of 

 deer, and of other herds and flocks ; while the azure sky is 

 decked with light and fleecy clouds, and the calm and balmy 

 air is buoyant with solar heat, whether at early dawn, noon- 

 tide hour, or evening grey. Such a scene is improved by the 

 cheerful villa, the airy bridge, the neat cottage, or farmer's 

 homestead, surrounded by their inhabitants and cattle. 



The second character is given to a scene which differs from 

 the first, in its rugged uneven surface; the herbage rank and 

 checkered by low tufts and bushes ; the ground here and there 

 broken into abrupt brows of naked soil, showing the various 

 coloured strata, overhung by dangling growths ; the herbs and 

 trees, instead of bearing the verdure of spring, or elegance of 

 youthful vigour, are partly decayed ; clothed with hoary lichen, 

 and the tints of autumn ; some of the aged trees stripped of 

 their honours, their branches fracted by storms, or strewed 

 prostrate on the earth. Instead of the placid lake, an irregu- 

 larly winding river, gliding quickly between bold and broken 

 banks, skirted by unequal groups of trees, bushes, and ram- 

 pant herbs of aquatic growth. The declivous slopes towards the 

 river, are variously interrupted by deep gullies. Jutting wea- 

 ther-stained crags, of different heights and positions, obstruct 

 the river's course, or shoot upwards from among encircling 

 trees. The surrounding hills here rise into irregular cliffs, 

 and seem to overhang the vale below. Heavy masses of 



