for Plants in Town Gardens. 493 



vases, but even of that description of rustic baskets and vases, 

 for containing flowers, now frequently placed on lawns in exten- 

 sive pleasure-grounds ; and which are, as our correspondent 

 Selira has so clearly shown (p. 485. ), particularly suitable for 

 cottage gardens. But the satisfaction which rustic vases give in 

 such situations is far inferior to that produced by fixed stone 

 vases in town gardens ; because, in the latter situation, flowers 

 of any kind are comparatively rare and cherished ; whereas, in 

 extensive pleasure-grounds in the country, where there are beds 

 of pelargoniums and other flowers without end, it seems almost 

 needless profusion to elevate them in vases. Hence it is, that 

 when stone or pottery vases are introduced into gardens in the 

 country, they are very seldom filled with plants of any kind. 

 They are introduced there as beautiful works of art, to give 

 pleasure, by their contrast, to the beautiful works of nature with. 

 which they are surrounded. 



Another reason why vases of flowers should be introduced 

 into the little walled gardens of streets is, that they harmonise 

 admirably with the masonry and architectural forms by which 

 they are surrounded. For this reason, also, stone vases should 

 be sparingly introduced in pleasure-grounds in the country, 

 except as appendages, or ornaments to architecture ; such as on 

 the parapets of terraces near the house, on the stone borders, 

 balustrades, &c, of architectural flower-gardens, &c. They 

 should never be set down on the naked ground, for the reasons 

 which we have before given (p. 326.); and, above all, they 

 should always have a fixed and permanent character. Even a 

 common flower-pot, when fixed on a pedestal, assumes a cha- 

 racter of dignity, which it never can have in a situation from 

 which the spectator imagines it can be easily removed. Nay, 

 more : a vase, or a common flower-pot, though it be not fixed 

 by mortar or cement so as to become a part of the masonry on 

 which it is placed, yet, if it is only set on a wall, or in any other 

 position from which it cannot be removed without destroying 

 the regularity or symmetry of the composition or whole to which 

 it belongs, acquires a fixed and permanent character. This 

 character is given when a flower-pot or vase is set on a wall, so 

 as to form a termination to piers, pedestals, pilasters, or pillars 

 of any kind : but place it on the coping of the wall, in the inter- 

 val between such piers, &c, and its character becomes at once 

 temporary and unmeaning : because there is no obvious reason 

 for placing a vase there at all ; for limiting the number to one; 

 or for not moving it, either to the right or left, or even for not 

 taking it away altogether. 



If it be asked, why use vases in the country at all, unless plants 

 are to be put in them? The answer is, they are employed as 

 appropriate ornaments, as beautiful forms, and as articles of rarity 



