NATURAL CHARACTER OF THE GROUND. 



109 



the splendor of its vegetation. Few "Naboths' vine- 

 yards" here stand in the way of the appropriation 

 of all that need satisfy the taste of one who has the 

 means to enjoy his bent to the utmost in posses- 

 sion of such a pleasure. Such are our agricultural 

 parks, and while subservient to profitable purposes in 

 grazing, they may minister to the finest taste in all 

 that embellishes the land with natural beauty, and 

 grandeur. To their preservation, we commend, most 

 earnestly, the attention of those whose enviable lot it 

 is to possess them. For the more restricted objects 

 of such as seek the possession of a park as an object 

 of luxury in the populous districts of country contigu- 

 ous to our large towns and cities, the natural features 

 of open ground, and forest, in appropriate places, and 

 sufficient variety, are not so readily found ; and these 

 must, of course, be supplied by planting and cultiva- 

 tion. To them are the instructions of our author chiefly 

 directed. — Er>. 



Natural Character of the Ground. — Most places 

 have intrinsically a natural character, which is mainly 

 dependent on what may be called the contour of 

 surface. This, being a matter of great importance, 

 should receive immediate and studious attention, both 

 from the proprietor and the artists who may aid him in 

 erecting his house and laying out his grounds. It is 

 obvious that the nature of the surface must materially 

 affect the style and position of the mansion-house, the 

 adornment of the dressed grounds, and the extent and 

 character of the park, approaches, and, in short, every 

 thing connected with "a country residence. Nature 

 affords an almost infinite variety of contours, each 

 requiring or suggesting a different treatment. For 



