SECT. XI. OF RURAL GARDENING. 127 



to produce Unking contrails, and happy aflemblages, in 

 the way of ornamental gardening. 



" To range the Ihrubs and fmall trees, lb that they 

 mutually fet oflfthe beauties, and conceal the blemifhes, 

 of each other; to aim at no effects which depend on a 

 nicety for their fuccefs, and which the foil, the ex- 

 pofure, or the feafon of the day, may deftroy; to attend 

 more to the groupes than to the individuals ; and to con- 

 fider the whole as a plantation, not as a collection of 

 plants ; are the belt general rules which can be given 

 concerning them. 



" In confidering the Subjects of gardening, ground 

 and wood firll present themfelves; ivater is the next; 

 which, though not absolutely necelfary to a beautiful 

 compofition, yet occurs fo often, and is fo capital a 

 feature, that it is always regretted when wanting ; and 

 no large place can be fuppofed, a little fpot can hardly 

 be imagined, in which it may not be agreeable. It 

 accommodates itfelf to every lituation, is the molt 

 interelling object in a landfcape, and the happiell. cir- 

 cumftance in a retired recefs ; captivates the eye at a 

 diltance, invites approach, and is delightful when near: 

 it refrefhes an open expofure ; it animates a made, 

 cheers the drearinefs of a wafte, and enriches the moll 

 crowed view. In form, in ftyle, and in extent, it may 

 be made equal to the greatelt competitions, or adapted 

 to the leaft: it may fpread in a calm expanfe to foothc^ 

 the tranquillity of a fpaceful fcene; or hurrying along 

 a devious courfe, add fplendour to a gay, and extra- 

 vagance to a romantic lituation. So various are the 

 characters which water can affume, that there is Scarcely 

 an idea in which it may not concur, or an impreffion 

 which it cannot enforce." 



On the works of art in gardening, the following 

 paffage is pertinent: — " Art was carried to excefs, 

 when ground, wood, and water, were reduced to ma- 

 thematical figure, and fimilarity and order were pre- 

 G 4 ferred 



