COMPOSITION OF THE LANDSCAPE. 



77 



pleasure-grounds can scarcely be deemed complete 

 without one. 



Note. — In the composition of the landscape, every 

 agreeable object which the eye can reach should be 

 embraced. A range of far-off hills or mountains, or a 

 single bold peak of either, even if a partial cutting 

 away of the park forest be necessary to reach the view, 

 will add greatly to the interest of the scenery. An 

 expanse of water, bounding the vision in the distance, 

 gives a grandeur of expression second only to moun- 

 tains, and when coupled together, like a high prom- 

 ontory shelving down into a broad lake, a wide bay, 

 or the open sea, or a range "of mountain beyond the 

 water, they form the most perfect combination of 

 boundary to' the landscape. 



In all cases where the park proper approaches the 

 housef nothing, after the due disposition of trees with 

 their intermediate vistas and glades of open grass, adds 

 so much spirit, life and character, as herds of cattle, 

 and flocks of sheep. Deer we exclude from American 

 parks, as being too expensive and ungovernable within 

 such inclosures as we can usually afford. They may 

 be kept in narrow grounds secured by high walls, or 

 fences ; but the scantiness of such arrangement would 

 detract from the effect which animals of that character 

 are intended to produce. A wide scope, and a free 

 range are required by all semi-wild animals, and with- 

 out them their appropriate interest is altogether want- 

 ing. A herd of short-horned cattle, in their imposing 

 massive forms, and beautifully intermingling colors; 

 or a group of clean-limbed Devons, with skins of deep 

 mahogany hue, and graceful contour of body, will throw 

 a picturesque beauty over the grounds that nothing 



