62 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



proceeded in a bit-by-Ht way, — ^by tbe planting of a 

 field here and a knoll tbere. Clumps or single trees are 

 set down in adjoining fields, fences are partially removed, 

 and fragments of hedgerows or belts of plantation are 

 left standing in places whence they onglit to have been 

 removed, or if preserved, should have been made the 

 nuclei of clumps or groups of trees. The result of all 

 this is confusion at the very least. In many cases, and 

 even in places of considerable note, what beauty there is 

 has arisen from the marked character of the locality, or 

 from the accidental circumstance of an existing mass or 

 group of fine old trees, rather than from any systematic 

 eflPorts on the part of the designers. This frequently 

 occurs where parks have been gradually enlarged by 

 successive additions. Very often, instead of a fine park, 

 we find ourselves in the midst of an accumulated mass 

 of acres, woods, fields, and fences, without any visible 

 arrangement in reference to beauty of individual outline 

 or to harmonious combination. The impression is that 

 of a labyrinth. The only unity is contiguity of space. 

 We do not say that there is no interest even in such 

 scenes ; but it arises from the beauty of single trees, or 

 occasional nooks of greenery, or detached pieces of rock 

 or water, — ^^ery beautiful things, certainly, in themselves, 

 but only a scantling of what might have been secured 

 by the moderate exercise of taste and foresight. After 

 all, an extensive and pervading unity is often unattain- 

 able. Some corner of a neighbouring estate, some 

 NabotVs vineyard, comes in the way, and, ofifending the 

 feeling of appropriation, must be planted out if it 

 eannot be purchased ; or a parish road, or a church with 

 graveyard and hamlet, may obtrude themselves ii-reme- 

 diably. In such circumstances^ the absence of a visible 



