Tottenham Path. 417 



When we saw the forms of these beds on paper, we were at a 

 loss to conceive the reasons which induced the artist to adopt 

 them, as they had evidently no relation to the lines of the walks. 

 We said nothing, however ; thinking that there might be some 

 inequalities in the ground, or some existing trees, or rocks, 

 which might justify their adoption. The grounds, however, are 

 quite flat, and without a single tree ; and, therefore, we do not 

 hesitate to pronounce the whole to be laid out in bad taste. 

 Our readers will understand the reasons on which this opinion 

 is founded, if they will turn to VII. 401., and VIII. 86, &c. 

 There is an American border adjoining the flower-garden, and 

 marked g in the plan (fig. 16. VII.). This border is parallel to, 

 and partly under, a double row of very large beech trees ; and, 

 as it rises from the walk to the height of between 2 ft. and 3 ft. 

 above the level of the surface towards the trunks of the trees, it 

 has a very bad effect. We will not say that this is a matter of 

 taste, in which two persons may differ, and neither be in the 

 wrong. No ; it is a matter of truth and nature. It never can 

 be true to nature to see large old trees with their trunks appa- 

 rently earthed up ; and it is equally as injurious to their growth 

 as it is unpleasant to the eye. There is something, too, exceed- 

 ingly circumscribed in the idea of making a shrubbery border 

 under the shade of high trees ; more especially a peat border, 

 which ought always to be more or less moist. By management 

 of this sort, the grandeur and dignity of the large trees are 

 injured, and the border is prevented from attaining the end 

 in view. There is nothing more contrary to nature, yet less 

 consistent with the characteristics of art, than the sight of a tree, 

 with the base of its trunk either really or apparently clogged 

 up with earth. The grandeur and dignity of a tree depend 

 mainly on its rising up boldly, with the base and part of the 

 trunk exposed, from a naked surface : rising out of a mound of 

 earth, or out of a clump of bushes, with the trunk concealed, it 

 can only be considered as an immense bush. 



There are other parts of the adjoining grounds laid out in 

 flower-beds, with a magnolia wall, and a walk by a sunk fence 

 with a rhododendron border ; but these details are not so con- 

 nected as to form an impressive whole. In short, there is an 

 utter want of unity of design in the garden scenery as well as in 

 the house. There is, however, one thing, which it would be the 

 greatest injustice to Mr. Burns not to bring forward in a pro- 

 minent manner, viz., the excellence of the culture, and the good 

 order in which everything is kept. The place abounds in hybrid 

 rhododendrons and azaleas ; and the flower-beds are filled with 

 choice plants, most beautifully in bloom. We have noted down 

 numerous fine specimens, but fear we should fatigue our readers 

 by giving their names and dimensions, and, what is of far more 



g g s 



