168 Sckell's Landscape-Gardening. 



formed at an angle of at least 45°, to prevent their falling in. 

 But there are other sunk paths, of an entirely opposite character, 

 which are much more adapted to gardens than those I have just 

 mentioned. These paths are formed and planted in the follow- 

 ing manner. Two approximating declivities, only separated by 

 the path, lying opposite to each other, swelling in a graceful 

 natural form, and which can be ascended without any exertion, 

 covered with a lively green sward, are clothed with large pictu- 

 resque trees, planted in transparent groups in the manner of a 

 grove. Between these lovely slopes, for which one often leaves the 

 path to wander among the majestic trees, or to repose under their 

 shade, winds a path in the hollow, traced out in gently flowing 

 curves, which, from its lighter colour, betrays its course as it 

 winds, now near, now at a distance, among the trees, and com- 

 pletes the beautiful and picturesque scene. 



A sunk path of this description has a decidedly picturesque 

 character, and has a charming effect in garden scenery, while its 

 dreamy romantic character is as inviting as it is capable of yield- 

 ing enjoyment. 



To these sort of hollow ways another may be added, which, 

 in point of form, deserves the preference. These paths are 

 concealed by an impenetrable close wood of tall majestic trees, 

 of which the outer groups, exposed to the light, present beauti- 

 ful forms to the imitation of the artist. Paths of this sort are 

 characterised by a kind of solemnity, which is only softened by 

 beautiful valleys proceeding from them, which, becoming narrower 

 as they recede, finally escape the eye. There are also hollow 

 ways where wild mountain torrents rush foaming over masses 

 of rocks, and form a number of waterfalls. Hollow ways of 

 this description, when they are deeply cut, and their slopes 

 clothed and shaded with noble trees, under whose branches the 

 grand masses of rock, with the precipitous torrent rushing over 

 and between them, are clearly perceptible, justly deserve the 

 preference. As a general remark with regard to walks, I must 

 mention the following: viz., that too many walks are prejudicial 

 to pleasure-grounds, as they break up plantations too fre- 

 quently, make them appear meagre, and also require much 

 expense in keeping. 



Walks may be so constructed as to make gardens appear 

 much larger than they actually are, by never allowing the boun- 

 dary, which is often very limited, to be seen, but which must be 

 concealed by thick plantations, and its vicinity never guessed at. 

 Especially, they must not approach too near to those openings, 

 where the outer landscape, by means of ha-has, appears as if it 

 belonged to the garden. A garden may also appear much 

 larger to the spectator when the paths take contrary turns, and 

 by circuitous routes describe a longer line. But this sort of 



