26 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



ance. On tlie other hand, an approach two or three 

 times longer than necessary may be regarded as palpably 

 absurd : and not less so is an approach which is, for any 

 reason, led over steep and difficult ground, when perhaps 

 an easier line spontaneously suggests itself to the ob- 

 servant traveller. The exhibition of fine views is a 

 temptation to commit both of these faults ; but it is a 

 temptation which should be resisted. While the 

 approach may display the average beauties of the place, 

 it is bad taste, as well as bad economy of pleasure, to 

 lengthen it out for the mere purpose of showing the 

 extent of the park or displaying the prospects which its 

 best points may be made to command. Such waste, as 

 it may be justly called, should rather be avoided. The 

 extent of the park may well be left to actual inspection 

 in rides taken for the purpose; and the finest views 

 should be reserved for the principal windows of the 

 house, for rustic seats or other stations in the dressed 

 grounds, or for walks or drives if these be necessary. 

 In forming an approach on level ground, it is proper to 

 introdiice a few easy sweeps or curves round groups or 

 clumps of trees : these we prefer to the duU insipidity of 

 one great uniform sweep, which scarcely any planting or 

 other means of decoration can relieve. On rising and 

 undulating grounds, those approaches have the most 

 elegant effect whose lines harmonize best with the natural 

 curves of the surface. In such cases all cutting and 

 embanking should be avoided as far as possible. Nothing 

 can be in worse taste than to cut through a broad swell 

 of ground of small elevation, or to bank across a wide 

 hollow whose surfaces vary only two or thi^ee feet, for 

 the purpose of forming a level road, or what may be 

 called some imaginary gradient. When cuttings and 



