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ScJcett's Landscape- Gardening. 



proceed in connected circles, and in lines several miles in extent, 

 with a tracing-stick which must be 4 or 5 pounds' weight, he 

 would find great difficulties, and his first attempt would not 

 likely be successful. 



In order to facilitate this operation, I will here explain my 

 method of drawing in nature, which I have followed since I first 

 began to practise, and which I have communicated to many 

 young artists. The plan on which the improvements are de- 

 signed, which are now to be staked out, shows the natural 

 objects, under what form they are to appear, and where they 

 are situated. According to this plan, the principal points in 

 nature will be determined; but, as has been already observed, 

 without straining to observe them too minutely, in case nature 

 should thereby be distorted, or fine trees fall under the axe, 

 which, without injuring the landscape, might have been pre- 

 served, if the line of the water or walk, or any other line, had 

 been altered a little. There may also be obstacles of another 

 kind contrary to nature, which could not be foreseen in making 

 the plan. 



But these difficulties will not be insurmountable to one 

 who is familiar with nature, and her numerous forms and means 

 of remedy ; because he will make such alterations as will not 

 affect the beauty of his grounds, but, if it be possible, improve 

 them by those very means. Hence, it is clearly enough seen, 

 that, in executing the plan, it cannot be exactly followed up, 

 because it only gives the principal forms and situations. It can 

 only show the scenes the grounds 

 are to present; and point out where 

 the hills, the valleys, the lakes, the 

 ponds, the waterfalls, the bridges, 

 the temples, &c, are to find their 

 places. 



6. The instrument with which 

 large and small outlines in nature 

 are drawn on a large scale is a 

 round stick, or tracing-staff {fig. 

 13.), from 5 ft. to 6 ft. long, and 

 1 J in. in diameter, pointed with 

 iron at the bottom, to draw the 

 lines in the earth. The artist holds 

 this stick with the right hand above, 

 and the left below, or vice versa, 

 and in such a manner as that the 

 iron point is turned towards the 

 ground backwards. With an erect 

 carriage, and his glance directed Fi g . 13. Tracing-staff 



