3%6 



ORNAMENTAL GARDENING. 



BOOK Ic 



themselves among natural beauties, they always disturb the 

 train of ideas which ought to be excited in the mind, and ge- 

 nerally destroy the character of the scenery. In the same way, 

 busts, urns, monuments, &c. in flower gardens, are quite mis- 

 placed; as any unprejudiced person, capable of attending to 

 his own mind, may feel in the flower garden at Nuneham, and 

 as reason and judgment may convince any one who under- 

 stands the principles of taste. The obvious intention of these 

 appendages is, to recal to mind the virtues, qualities, or ac- 

 tions, of those for whom they were erected: now this requires time, 

 seclusion, and undisturbed attention, which must either render 

 all the flowers and other decorations of the ornamental garden 

 of no effect; or, if they have effect, it can only be to interrupt 

 the train of ideas excited by the other. As the garden, and 

 the productions of nature, are what are intended to interest the 

 spectator, it is plain that the others should not be introduced. 

 This reasoning, while on the one hand it shews the absurdity 

 of such a practice, on the other directs that urns, monuments, 

 &c. should only be placed in solitary unfrequented places, 

 where the mind is naturally led to contemplate, and where the 

 remembrance of the virtues of great men, or the worth of rela- 

 tions now no more, afford proper subjects of contemplation. — 

 But even in places apparently solitary, or secluded, these have 

 been introduced in so affected or improper a manner, as to 

 furnish reason for the greatest caution in future. 



