OF RURAL GARDENING. SECT. XI* 



It were defirable to be able to perfuade to great things 

 in this way ; but prudence mufi guide. 



Thofe who would do much in rural and extenjive 

 gardening, fhould not be forward to trull their own 

 tafte altogether, though they may be ingenious. In 

 this bufmefs there is no making experiments , but all 

 fhould be executed, as much as poffible, upon certain- 

 ty. There are profejjional men in this way, wliofe pe- 

 culiar practice, and appropriate talents, will enable them 

 to conceive improvements, and the bell manner of ex- 

 ecuting them, which would fcarcaly be projected by 

 any private perfon. There is a variety of works and 

 decorations in extenfive gardening which injudicioufly 

 introduced, might create a wafteful expence. This is 

 an error that ought to be avoided, and moft probably 

 would be, by thofe who have been in the habit of 

 ftudying nature, and the powers of art, as her fubraif- 

 five handmaid. 



Artificial decorations are at this time much lefs made 

 ufe of than formerly, and the grandeur of paft times in 

 the way of gardening would now be thought trifling 

 and mean. Witnefs (heard trees-, ftatues, vafes, water 

 works, figured parterres, &c. in that ityleof gardening, 

 imitated irom the Dutch , which has been long deemed a 

 mere burlefque upon Nature, the grand characterises 

 of which are eafe mdjimpliciry* 



The pleafure we feek in laying ml gardens, is no\tf 

 juftly founded upon the principles of concealed art % 

 which appears like Nature 5 butflill, whether ingenious 

 contrivances and decorations, (altogether artificial,) 

 fhould be fo entirely laid afide as they are, may deferve 

 to be confidered* Gardens were formerly loaded with 

 jlatue$ % and great improprieties were committed ia 

 placing them, as Neptune in a grove, and Vulcan 

 at a fountain p large figures in fmall garden* , and 

 fmall in large, &c* but perhaps works of ( the 

 tuary might ftiU be introduced, and the meeting with 

 Ekra % Ceres % or Fmwe 9 &e* well executed* 



