38 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



lawns^ interspersed with groups of trees and shrnbs, 

 either separate or combined. Flower-beds may be 

 formed in some positions^ especially where the view 

 does not extend into the park^ and along with these a 

 fountain or pond with a jet d'eau, or an artificial lake, 

 may be introduced with good elFect. Flower-beds are 

 very suitable on a terrace near the house. A small 

 flower-garden in connection with a boudoir is also appro- 

 priate ; but a flower-garden on an extensive scale should 

 be reserved for a separate division of the pleasure- 

 grounds. In open spaces in the grounds detached 

 flower-beds appear to be objectionable, as they do not 

 mass well with the other g-roups, as they lessen the 

 breadth and interrupt the continuity of the lawns, and 

 being bare except during a few months in summer, are 

 but seldom in a really ornamental state. At the same 

 time, a flower-garden, in a proper situation and at a 

 reasonable distance from the house, is a most desirable 

 object of interest, inviting frequent visits and affording 

 agreeable walks; and, indeed, extensive pleasure-grounds 

 can scarcely be deemed complete without one. 



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 decora- 

 tion in the vicinity, and serve to connect the house and 

 the grounds in a manner which could hardly be accom- 

 plished by a lawn, however highly ornamented. Inter- 

 nally they may be made a good architectural foreground 



