112 The Art of Landscape Gardening 



wood, it will then appear light and conspicuous, the atten- 

 tion being principally directed to the mansion, while the 

 other parts of the scene will be duly subordinate. 



It is also proper that the grounds should accord with 

 the size and style of the place, and that the mansion be 

 surrounded by its appropriate appendages. At present 

 the character of the house and that of the place are at 

 variance : the latter is that of a farm, but the character 

 of the house is that of a gentleman's residence, which 

 should be surrounded by pleasure-grounds, wood and 

 lawn ; and although great credit is due to those gentle- 

 men who patronise farming by their example as well as 

 by their influence, it would be a reflection on the good 

 taste of the country to suppose that the habitation of the 

 gentleman ought not to be distinguished from that of 

 the farmer, as well in the character of the place as by the 

 size of the house. 



I shall not on this occasion enter into a discussion of 

 the difference between a scene in nature and a landscape 

 on the painter's canvas ; nor consider the very different 

 means by which the painter and the landscape gardener 

 produce the same effect: I shall merely endeavour to shew 

 how far the same principles would direct the professors 

 of either art in the improvement of Coombe Lodge, and 

 more particularly in the form and character of the wood 

 to the north of the house. 



Breadth, which is one of the first principles of paint- 

 ing, would prompt the necessity of planting the whole 

 of the hill behind the house; but the improver, who em- 

 bellishes the scene for the purposes of general utility and 

 real life, must adopt what is convenient as well as beauti- 

 ful. The painter, when he studies the perfection of his 

 art, forms a correct picture and takes beauty for his guide. 

 The improver consults the genius of the scene and con- 



