78 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



else can equal ; while scattering flocks of the dark-faced 

 southdown, or the white-bodied, broader form of the 

 long-wooled sheep, quietly nibbling on the knolls, or 

 reposing in the shades, will fill up a picture of perfect 

 repose. Or, if a sheet, or stream of water lie within 

 the park, in the absence of the swan, the white or 

 brown China, or the great African goose, with their 

 high curving necks, and clarion cry, are objects of 

 charming interest, as they sit or swim gracefully upon 

 its surface. Indeed, no park scenery can be complete 

 without choice cattle and sheep; and where water is 

 added, its web-footed tenants, to enliven its presence. 

 Such are the objects which give life and interest to the 

 park and pleasure-ground. The common, ill-bred cat- 

 tle, sheep, and geese of the country, give ho ornament 

 to any highly-kept ground. — Ed. 



Terraces. — When well arranged and adapted to the 

 character of the locality, terraces are excellent and 

 highly ornamental accompaniments to the mansion- 

 house. As seen externally, there are few objects which 

 add so much dignity to the house, as they form a fine • 

 outwork and extended basement, and impart a stately 

 effect and an imposing breadth to the whole group of 

 buildings. They also afford an admirable outset to 

 the work of decoration in the vicinity, and serve to 

 connect the house and the grounds in a manner which 

 could hardly be accomplished by a lawn, however 

 highly ornamented. Internally, they may be made a 

 good architectural foreground to the scenery as viewed 

 from the house. They may also be used to conceal a 

 one-sided slope, or a twist in the ground, which may 

 have a disagreeable eifect as seen from the windows. 

 To a house situated near a steep, abrupt declivity. 



