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ning fome way into the thickets, groves or fhrubberies, 

 on each fide; in order to imitate nature more clofely, 

 and to take off that difagreeable formality and ftiffnefs, 

 which a contrary practice occafions in our European 

 plantations. 



In their ftraight roads or walks, when the extent is 

 vaft, the Chinefe artifts obferve an exact order and fym- 

 metry, faying, that in ftupendous works, the appearance 

 of art is by no means difgufting; that it conveys to 

 pofterity inftances of the grandeur of their anceftors ; 

 and gives birth to many fublime and pleafing reflections. 

 The imperial roads are aftonifhing works of this nature; 

 they are compofed of triple avenues, adorned with four 

 rows of enormous trees; generally Indian chefnuts, fpruce 

 firs, mountain cedars, and others of formal fhapes; or oaks, 

 elms, tulips, and others cf the largeft growth, planted 

 at proper regular diftances ; and extending in ftraight 

 lines, and almoft on a perfect level, two, three, even four 

 hundred miles. The center avenues are from one hundred 

 and fifty, to two hundred feet wide; and the lateral 



ones. 



