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ON THE PROGRESS AND PRINCIPLES OF ORNAMENTAL 

 GARDENING. 



(Continued from page 75.) 



In order to introduce harmoniously a geometrical flower-garden, I have, in 

 addition to the sunk fence which separates the back lawn from the open park, 

 raised a low wall, thus forming a strongly marked line of considerable length as 

 the base of further geometrical operations ; I propose marking it at regular 

 distances by vases or some such ornaments, in order to conduct the imagination 

 another step towards symmetrical arrangement; and having by this simple 

 expedient prepared the eye by a few regular forms, we may proceed with a 

 geometrical plan for the flower-garden, without shaking the principles of harmony 

 which form the basis even of the most uncultivated taste. Without some such a 

 preparation as the line described, a formal flower-garden in the midst of lawns 

 and shrubberies of a landscape character would have the most harsh and dis- 

 cordant effect — and without perhaps knowing exactly why, most people would 

 pronounce it to be in bad taste. Having given some general idea of the manner 

 in which I would manage the distant plantations, the approach, the disposition 

 of water, the front lawns, and a geometrical flower-garden at the back, in a place 

 of the dimensions supposed, I will, to prevent repetition, reserve what I have to 

 say upon other subjects connected with such a residence, for my observations 

 upon grounds surrounding a house of some architectural pretension, where they 

 will form more necessary appendages. 



Let us then now suppose a handsome house in the Grecian, Gothic, or Italian 

 style of architecture ; Italian, for instance, as perhaps more felicitously adapted 

 to receive aid from architectural effect in gardening than any other. It does 

 not suit the space allotted to an article of this description to enter into archie 

 tectural detail, which is moreover to a certain extent foreign to the subject, but I 

 would recommend that modification of the Italian style which Mr. Barry has 

 introduced in his improvements at Trentham Hall. It possesses all the floridness 

 of style which characterises the great Italian villas, with a much purer taste in 

 the decorative accessories. 



To begin at the beginning, I will commence with the entrance lodges, which 

 should be of the same style of architecture as the house, but simpler in character 

 — every entrance might be sufficiently varied to give a degree of individuality to 

 each, but they should all partake of the same style to a certain extent ; in fact 

 should in my opinion, in order to give that impression of singleness of purpose 

 which would add dignity to the domain, be sufficiently similar to appear the 

 conception of one mind ; at all events of one period. It is by far too common to 

 run riot in architectural vagaries at the present day, and in no instance perhaps 

 is this abuse of knowledge carried to greater excesses than in park lodges. I 



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