102 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS . 



give them the appearance of pavement, such as Ro- 

 man cement and coal tar ; the latter, when mixed with 

 gravel, composes a hard, firm, smooth surface, but the 

 resulting color is not agreeable. The favorite hue of 

 gravel is yellow or light sienna ; these have a warmth 

 and richness of effect which are never to be found in 

 any dull or dark-colored variety. On the other hand, 

 shell gravel, though clean, is too light and glaring, 

 particularly in sunshine. The edging of walks should 

 always be low ; a deep border of grass is unsightly, 

 and seems to indicate careless keeping. Box edgings 

 should also be small and low. The only allowable 

 deviation from this rule occurs in the high edgings 

 necessary to mark the figures of a parterre. 



Note. — As we have before remarked, walks are ex- 

 ceedingly expensive in their construction, and subse- 

 quent care, as, without nice keeping, they are anything 

 but ornamental to the grounds. For ordinary pur- 

 poses, therefore, the fewer of them, the better. Yet, 

 let these few be what walks should be — substantial, 

 and to the purpose. "Walks, for pedestrian use, should 

 be chiefly confined to the j>leasure-grounds immedi- 

 ately about the dwelling. When extended into the 

 park, they detract from its character of extent, and 

 dignity; and if intended to be nicely kept, are fre- 

 quently disturbed and profaned by the annoyance of 

 the cattle. Unless for a secluded path, to steal away on 

 to some sequestered spot, the roads for driving should 

 only occupy the park, and the "paths" need be but 

 trodden footways, like an "Indian trail,' 1 threading its 

 most sheltered and unfrequented parts.— Ed. 



The Formation of Lawns. — A fine sward of grass 

 is of great moment, particularly in terraces, flower- 



