public iparhs 283 



"Considering that large classes of rural objects and 

 many types of natural scenery are not practicable to 

 be introduced on the site of a park, — mountain, ocean, 

 desert, and prairie scenery for example, — it will be 

 found that the most valuable form that could have 

 been prescribed is that which we have last indicated, 

 and which may be distinguished from all others as 

 pastoral. But the site of the park having had a very 

 heterogeneous surface which was largely formed of 

 solid rock, it was not desirable that the attempt 

 should be made to reduce it all to the simplicity of 

 pastoral scenery. What would be the central motive 

 of design required of the rest? Clearly that it 

 should be given such character as, while affording 

 contrast and variety of scene, would, as much as 

 possible, be confluent to the same end, namely, the 

 constant suggestion to the imagination of an un- 

 limited range of rural conditions. 



"The pleasing uncertainty and mysterious tone 

 which chiaro-oscuro lends to the distance of an open 

 pastoral landscape certainly cannot be paralleled in 

 rugged ground where the scope of the vision is limited ; 

 but a similar influence on the mind, less only in de- 

 gree, is experienced as we pass near the edge of a long 

 stretch of natural woods, the outer trees disposed in 

 irregular clusters, the underwood mingling at inter- 

 vals with their foliage. Under such circumstances, 

 although the eye nowhere penetrates far, an agree- 

 able suggestion is conveyed to the imagination of 

 freedom, and of interest beyond the objects that 



