422 Downing^s La7idscape-Gardemng, 



than by ten times the amount of time spent in investigating the theory without 

 any such practical illustrations. And although we have but few such as 

 might be termed ' show places,' yet we shall venture to refer the reader to 

 several examples Vt'hich have considerable reputation among us as elegant 

 country residences. 



" Hi/de Park, on the Hudson, the seat of the late Dr. Hosack, has been 

 justly celebrated as one of the finest specimens of the modern style of land- 

 scape-gardening in America. Nature has, indeed, done much for this place, 

 as the grounds are finely varied, beautifully watered by a lively stream, and 

 the views from the neighbourhood of the house itself, including as they do the 

 noble Hudson, and the superb wooded valley which stretches away until 

 bounded at the horizon by the distant summits of the blue Cattskills, are un- 

 rivalled in picturesque beauty. But the efforts of art are not unworthy so 

 rare a locality ; and while the native woods and beautifully undulating grounds 

 are preserved in their original state, the pleasure-gi'ounds, roads, walks, 

 drives, and new plantations, have been laid out in so tasteful a manner as to 

 heighten the charms of nature* Large and costly hot-houses were erected, 

 and elegant entrance-lodges at two points on the estate, a fine bridge over 

 the stream, and numerous pavilions and seats commanding extensive prospects ; 

 in short, nothing was spared to render this seat one of the very finest in 

 America. The park, which at one time contained some fine deer, afforded a 

 delightful drive within itself, as the whole estate numbered about seven 

 hundred acres. The plans for laying out the grounds were furnished by 

 Parmentier, and architects from New York were employed in designing and 

 erecting the buildings. Since the death of Dr. Hosack, the place has lost 

 something of the high keeping which it formerly evinced, but we still consider 

 it one of the most instructive seats in this country. 



" Blitheivood, the seat of R.Donaldson, Esq., near Barrytown, on the Hudson 

 River, is one of the most tasteful villa residences in the union. The lawn, or 

 park, which commands a view of surpassing beauty, is studded with groups of 

 fine forest trees, beneath which are delightful walks, leading in easy curves to 

 rustic seats, summer-houses, &c., disposed in secluded spots, or to openings 

 affording the most lovely prospects. In various situations near the house 

 and upon the lawn, Maltese vases, exquisitely sculptured in stone, are dis- 

 posed in such a manner as to give a classic air to the grounds. The entrance- 

 lodge, built in the English cottage style, is exceedingly neat and appropriate, 

 and the whole place may be considered quite a model of elegant arrangement ; 

 such, indeed, as may fairly come within the reach of numbers of our wealthy 

 proprietors, did they possess the taste, as well as the means, for this species of 

 refined enjoyment. 



" There are one or two old and celebrated country residences on the Hudson, 

 in the possession of the Livingston famil}', in the neighbourhood of Barrytown. 

 The magnificent single trees, groups, masses, and roiling woods, which seem 

 as if tastefully disposed in the modern style over an extensive undulating park, 

 covered with the finest turf, give these seats very much the air of an old 

 European residence ; which, perhaps, they resemble, more than any mansion 

 residences that we have in the United States. These places owe almost their 

 entire beauty to nature, as nearly all the fine trees, groves, and woods are the 

 natural growth of the soil ; such as, indeed, once covered many of our fine river 

 valleys, but which have fallen a prey to the licentious axe of the woodman in 

 so many thousand instances. Here, just so much of the natural growth of 

 timber has been retained, as to clothe the estate with a truly noble garniture ; 

 and the proportions of meadow, or lawn, and wood, as well as the arrangement 

 and situation of the latter, have been so judiciously managed, that, as we have 

 before mentioned, much of the effect of the finest park, carefully laid out and 

 planted in the modern style of landscape-gardening is produced, mainly by 

 retaining and preserving the materials of which nature has been here so ex- 

 tremely prodigal. 



" The gardens and grounds of Lemon Hill, once the residenceof H. Pratt, 



