80 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS 



should be strictly parallel in their planes : any deviation 

 in this respect gives the whole a twisted appearance, 

 and suggests the idea of their having been executed 

 by incompetent workmen. There are sundry points 

 connected with terraces, such as the breadth of their 

 platforms, their height, the number on the same de- 

 clivity, their junction with the natural banks into which 

 they may run, the angles of inclination when they are 

 sloped, and various other matters, respecting which no 

 general precepts can be given that would be applicable 

 in all cases. These must be determined by careful study 

 on the spot, and repeated consultation of the eye. We 

 may- remark, however, that the length of a terrace is 

 always a more important property than its breadth. A 

 broad terrace, indeed ; is always desirable, but unless 

 it is more or less elongated, it will seem to degenerate 

 into a broad platform. The latter form, however, 

 when it is avowedly such, and does not pretend to the 

 usual character of a terrace, is not an inferior arrange- 

 ment, and may be made an object of considerable 

 interest. 



Terrace Walls. — These are retaining walls, either 

 with a cope brought up to the level of the platform, or 

 with a parapet or balustrade rising above the surface 

 of the terrace. In either case, their main use being to 

 support the mass of earth behind them, they seldom 

 admit of much variety or ornament in their construc- 

 tion, except when the architecture of the house requires 

 a decorated parapet or balustrade. A low terrace, 

 unless in peculiar circumstances, scarcely calls for 

 either ; but when the retaining wall is high, a parapet 

 is indispensable for the protection of persons walking 

 on the platform. The best substitute for a parapet is 



