INTRODUCTION. 9 



and, in time, bowling greens, labyrinths, parterres, and wilder- 

 nesses, would be introduced, either in the gardens, or in some 

 place convenient to the house. The trees in the garden, in 

 order to distinguish them from others, would not only be 

 placed in an artificial manner, but would also (thus more 

 strongly to produce the strange, and excite wonder) be cut 

 into singular shapes, sometimes of geometrical figures, as 

 pyramids, cones, &c. and at others, into the figures of men 

 or other animals. 



Rural improvement still continuing its advances, to these 

 decorations would be added other ornamental appendages, 

 which might either arise from the manners of the people, the 

 nature of the country, or the principle of imitating other na- 

 tions. Thus one country might introduce architecture or sculp- 

 ture, because it excelled in those arts : another might contrive 

 fountains, which threw the water into the air, and produced 

 an appearance of gaiety and coolness analogous to the cli- 

 mate and the temper of the people. Another nation might in- 

 troduce water in the forms of ponds or canals, which are more 

 still in their effect, but more useful in domestic or horticultural 

 oeconomy. These modes, characteristic of particular countries, 

 have been imitated by each other and hence have produced a 

 diversity of ornament and show. Thus statues, fountains, and 

 ponds, are often found collected together in one place. 



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