8 INTRODUCTION. 



came known, different orders of society would be established. 

 These farms, when possessed by individuals in the higher classes, 

 would be distinguished from those of the vulgar, by a due cor- 

 respondency with their rank, fortune, or power, — as well as the 

 nature of the country. In almost every case, in the progressive 

 state of cultivation, that place would be considered as most 

 elegant, which contained the greatest appearance of art, in the 

 house, garden, and grounds. The surrounding objects being 

 nearly in a state of nature, their beauties were unperceived, 

 and no one could venture to put them in competition with the 

 charms of novelty, and the appearance of wealth and power. 



To give these appearances in a rude age and a wild coun- 

 try, little more would be necessary, after ouilding the house, 

 than to form near it a walled garden, and to place the divi- 

 sions of the fields in straight lines. But in the progress of 

 improvement, and as agriculture became general, inclosure 

 would be common over the greater part of the country. This 

 would lead to a progressive step of refinement, in order to 

 preserve the proper distinction. Trees would now be planted, 

 either in masses of artificial forms, in particular devices, or in 

 avenues. And now the formation of a place would have some 

 relation to the fine arts. The magnitude or architectural deco- 

 rations of the house would be increased. The ground near it 

 would be smoothed, and formed into terraces and platforms ; 



