PREFACE. 



estate, and re-appear in the pot of flowers in the window, 

 or the luxuriant, blossoming vines which clamber over the 

 porch of the humblest cottage by the way side. 



In the present volume I have sought, by rendering 

 familiar to the reader most of the beautiful sylvan ma- 

 terials of the art, and by describing their peculiar effects 

 in Landscape Gardening, to encourage a taste among 

 general readers. And I have also endeavored to place 

 before the amateur such dii-ections and guiding principles 

 as, it is hoped, will assist him materially in laying out 

 his grounds and arranging the general scenery of his 

 residence. 



The lively interest of late manifested in Rural Architec- 

 ture, and its close connexion with Landscape Gardening, 

 have induced me to devote a portion of this work to the 

 consideration of buildings in rural scenery. 



I take pleasure in acknowledging my obligations and 

 returning thanks to my valued correspondent, J. C. Loudon, 

 Esq., F. L. S., etc., of London, the most distinguished 

 gardening author of the age, for the illustrations and 

 description of the English Suburban Cottage in the 

 Appendix; to the several gentlemen in this country who 

 have kindly furnished me with plans or drawings of their 

 residences ; and to A. J. Davis, Esq., of New York, and J 

 Notman, Esq., of Philadelphia, architects, for architectural 

 drawings and descriptions. 



