424 Downing^ s Landscape-Gardening, 



brated as specimens of landscape-gardening, and we regret that the limits of a 

 single volume will not permit us to refer to them in detail. Waltham House, 

 about nine miles from Boston, the seat of Theodore Lyman, Esq., has an ex- 

 tensive park, and fine grounds. The seat of Mr. Wadsvvorth, in the beautiful 

 Genesee Valley, is remarkable for the tasteful design exhibited in the house 

 and grounds. Monte Video, the residence of Daniel Wordsworth, Esq., is 

 one of the prettiest residences in Connecticut. The grounds of the Count de 

 Survilliers, at Bordentown, N. J., are remarkable for their extent ; and 

 although the surface is extremely flat, it has been well varied by extensive 

 plantations. 



" Of smaller villa residences, suburban chiefly, there are great numbers 

 springing up, almost by magic, in the borders of our towns and cities. 

 Though the possessors of these can scarcely hope to introduce anything ap- 

 proaching to a landscape-garden style, in laying out their limited grounds, 

 still they may be greatly benefited by an acquaintance with the beauties and 

 the pleasures of this species of rural embellishment. When we are once 

 master of the principles, and aware of the capabilities, of an art, we are able 

 to infuse an expression of tasteful design, or an air of more correct elegance, 

 even into the most humble works, or with the most limited means. 



" While we shall endeavour, in the following pages, to give such a view of 

 modern landscape-gardening, as will enable the improver to proceed with his 

 fascinating operations in embellishing the country residence, in a practical 

 mode, based upon what are now generally received as the correct principles 

 of the art, we would desire the novice, after making himself acquainted with 

 all that can be acquired from written works within his reach, to strengthen 

 his taste and adcl to his knowledge, by a practical inspection of the best 

 countr}'^ seats among us. In an infant state of society, in regard to the fine 

 arts, much will be done in violation of good taste; but here, where nature has 

 done so much for us, there is scarcely a large country residence in the union, 

 from which useful hints in landscape-gardening may not be taken. A natural 

 group of trees, an accidental pond of water, or some equally simple object, 

 may form a study more convincing to the mind of a true admirer of natural 

 beauty, than the most carefully drawn plan, or the most elaborately written 

 description." 



The second section of this work treats of the beauties of landscape-garden- 

 ing. 



" The earliest professors of modern landscape-gardening have generally 

 agreed upon two species of beauty, of which the art is capable — variations 

 no less certainly distinct on the one hand than they are capable of intermin- 

 gling and combining on the other. These are general, or natural, and ]?icticresqiie 

 beauty ; or, to speak more definitely, the beauty characterised by simple and 

 flowing forms, and the beauty expressed by striking, irregular, spirited forms. 



" The admirer of nature, as well as the lover of pictures and engravings, 

 will at once recall to mind examples of scenes distinctly expressive of each of 

 these kinds of beauty. In nature, perhaps, some gently undulating plain 

 covered with emerald turf, partially or entirely encompassed by rich rolling 

 outlines of forest canopy, its widest expanse here broken occasionally by noble 

 groups of round-headed trees, or there interspersed with single specimens, 

 whose elegant trunks support masses of foliage flowing in outline, or grace- 

 fully drooping to the very turf beneath them. In such a scene, we behold 

 the azure of heaven, and its silvery clouds, as well as the deep verdure of the 

 luxuriant and shadowy branches, reflected in the placid bosom of a sylvan 

 lake ; the shores of the latter jutting out, and receding back, in gently curved 

 lines ; the banks, sometimes covered with soft verdure and enamelled with 

 flowers, and in other portions clothed with luxuriant masses of verdant shrubs. 

 Here are all the elements of what is termed natural beauty, — or a landscape 

 characterised by natural, easy, and flowing lines. 



" For an example of the opposite character, let us take a stroll to the 

 nearest woody glen in your neighbourhood : perhaps a romantic valley, half 



