THE LAWS OF DEVELOPING LANDSCAPE. 



595 



THE LAWS OF DEVELOPING LANDSCAPE: SHOWING HOW 

 TO MAKE THICKETS AND WOODLANDS REVEAL THEIR 

 NATURAL BEAUTY. 



By J. Foesyth Johnson, F.R.H.S. 

 Introduction. 



" To see, to see, really to see ; here is where they all fail ! 1 Have you 

 eyes '? ' is a question that may be for ever addressed to this eternally 

 chattering and listening world, in which gaping takes the place of seeing. 

 Whoever has really seen knows how he stands with it ! " 



This is an extract from the last letter written by Richard Wagner, 

 January 31, 1883, thirteen days before his death. 



This article is intended as a guide to the comprehension of natural, 

 infinite beauty. What shall we see ? Level lines come from man's habits. 

 Curved lines come from the infinity of nature. Each in its proper place 

 is right. Buildings require straight lines, while nature requires the curves. 

 A determination of the laws of beauty would advance man's outlook on the 

 world, and give him more power to gain results from nature than can at 

 present be foreseen. 



Landscape consists of a series of undulations. Natural scenery is not 

 a matter of likes and dislikes. It has its truths of existence that reveal its 

 infinity to all true observers. Impressions of mere imitation and limitation 

 of boundaries cannot develop the infinite beauty of nature, however 

 polished the ignorance may be or expensive the work. Knowledge of the 

 natural impressions of land, water, plant-life, and sky effects is necessary 

 for landscape development. 



It is the object of landscape development to reveal plant beauty. This 

 is accomplished by developing character with suitable association, and 

 putting the right plant in the right place. 



Where to plant or build, or where not to plant or build, are questions 

 which must be decided before commencing work. These can be best 

 determined by plans of outlines, for the smallest plan in this article would 

 give hundreds of pictures for the photographer. As many pictures can 

 convey only a very limited lesson in landscape, it is necessary to grasp the 

 whole of a subject before proceeding to the arrangement of details. The 

 land surveys are useful, but the revealing of land objects is guided by the 

 view lines. 



The knowledge of the schools registers the practical learning of natural 

 knowledge coming forth from human labours, establishing the steps of 

 human advancement, and forming its Jacob's ladder. Between the school 

 and natural learning much suffering often comes. The school delights in 

 calling the natural illiterate, whereas the ignorance is not always on the 

 natural side. As an instance, once on a time Lord Brougham was 

 showing a distinguished party over Barclay and Perkins's celebrated 

 brewery in London. The head man who made the ales was appointed to 



