Corehouse.. 435 



companion ; we can describe them in a letter to a friend, or in a 

 book ; we can depict them by sketches ; or, if they are our own 

 property, we can alter or improve them. Now, the grand 

 source of instruction to the landscape-gardener or the amateur 

 of improved scenery, which is to be derived from the study 

 of Corehouse, is the manner in which the natural woods, rocks, 

 and rills have been improved by artificial planting, thinning, 

 contracting, expanding, smoothing, concealing, and displaying. 

 Great skill has doubtless been shown in the disposition of 

 plantations on hills and slopes in the interior of the estate that 

 were before naked, and also in admitting or shutting out the 

 views on the opposite side of the river; but these are com- 

 paratively every-day operations, both in a tame and in a pic- 

 turesque country. We shall shortly enumerate the leading 

 features which would improve such scenery, and which have 

 been added to it at Corehouse. 



Walks, seats, bridges, and other rustic buildings ; which facili- 

 tate the means of inspection and enjoyment. 



Opening up beautiful views, and excluding offensive or un- 

 interesting objects ; which heighten enjoyment. 



Thinning out unhealthy or unsightly undergrowths and ill- 

 shaped trees, and forming glades of smooth turf; which will 

 produce spots contrasting well with places where the under- 

 growth is vigorous and dense. 



Removing the undergrowths altogether, and leaving only the 

 timber trees, smoothing the surface below so as to admit of its 

 being mown ; which will change a wood to a grove. 



Where the natural wood is entirely coppice, allowing some 

 of the plants here and there to assume the character of trees, 

 taking care not to cut these down when the coppice is being 

 felled ; which will change the coppice into a wood. 



Rocks, where they occur, may be improved by removing soil 

 or bushes so as to display them more fully or to greater advan- 

 tage ; or, if every part of the rock be already shown in such a 

 manner as to give the idea that only a portion of rock exists, then 

 a part may be concealed by ground or bushes so as to give the 

 idea of continuation. The great art in this case is to indicate 

 stratification, for, unless this be done, rock-work, whether natural 

 or artificial, may be mistaken for a part of an old wall, or, more 

 probably, for a heap of land stones. 



Waterfalls, and rills expanded into pools, may be shown 

 more fully, or increased or diminished, on the same general 

 principle as rocks ; but it is absolutely necessary that whoever 

 attempts this kind of improvement should have the eye of an 

 artist. Indeed, this remark will apply with almost equal force in 

 the case of improving rocks. One of the finest features in the 



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