26 LAYING OUT GROUNDS. 



should be presented, that the first impression may be favourable : 

 this may be deemed taking the visitor by surprise, but it is justi- 

 fiable, as a good exterior is considered evidence of an agreeable 

 interior; and if any object on the approach appear crude or in- 

 significant, an increased exertion of art will be required to sub- 

 due any unfavourable effects which may have been excited. First 

 impressions generally take strong hold of the mind. An artist, who 

 exhibits his works during the mediocrity of his talent, however he 

 may afterward excel, finds an increase of difficulty in establishing 

 a reputation; while he who has reserved his works until he can 

 exhibit talent at once striking and prepossessing, finds his merit 

 more immediately acknowledged. 



A sheltered walk, either for exercise or pleasure, cannot be better 

 obtained, when the building will admit of it, than under a colonnade 

 or veranda. From the house there must always be a main walk, 

 from appropriate points of which, others should branch to the several 

 parts of the garden, park, &c., and should be so disposed as not 

 to command a view into any of the rooms. Gravel walks should 

 be rarely seen from the windows ; where the extent of the grounds 

 will admit, they should be dispersed among the plantations, with 

 occasional openings upon different views : the great art in this de- 

 pends upon judiciously directing the windings of the walks, and 

 varying the views of artificial and natural objects, so that the spec- 



