9 
GARDEN ORNAMENTS. 
Flower or pleasure gardens are susceptible of many ornaments besides those of 
vegetation. They are places designed expressly for the exhibition of every thing 
which is pleasing to the senses; forming an harmonious association of objects 
delightful to the eye and interesting to the mind. They are traversed by walks 
either in rectilinear or curvilinear directions ; and whether composed of grass, gravel, 
or other material, they are so disposed as to be pleasing to the eye, as well as 
commodious to the feet. A carpet of turf is spread over the surface, whether that 
be level, undulating, or varied by elevated terraces, and regularly sloping banks. 
Every feature, whether of the plan or of its details, whether of the variety of plants 
or of the disposition — all must be attractive. 
To heighten the ejffect, and give greater interest to such scenes, the art of the 
sculptor and architect have been employed. Italian gardens owe much of their 
grandeur to the works of these artists. If their gardens be divided or bounded by 
walls, these are highly ornamented with piers at regular distances — balustrades 
between, and the coping of the piers surmounted by elegant sculptured figures of 
various designs and devices. The area is embellished with alcoves, temples, 
statues, obelisks, vases, and urns. Grottoes built of or lined with fossils, petri- 
factions, scoria, and the common minerals, are also fit appendages to flower 
gardens ; but of all such ornaments the fountain is the most common and most 
appropriate. 
The refreshing and splendid effect of water, even in a state of rest, among beds of 
flowers is particularly pleasing ; but to see it rising in elegant jets, sparkling in 
iridescent hues, and to hear its cooling murmurs in warm weather, greatly enhances 
the beauty and adds to the interest of the artificial scene. 
The annexed plate is an isometrical view of a highly classical fountain, orna- 
mented with figures of dolphins, large shell -rocks, and basin, with sculptured rim, 
suitable for the centre of a parterre, or for the front court of a public or private 
building. 
Although fountains are more suitable for warm than for cold countries, and 
more commonly executed in the south than in the north of Europe ; yet even in 
this country they may be introduced in many places with good efiect and at a very 
moderate cost. The want of fountains in London is regretted by every one who 
has visited France and Italy ; and it is a wonder that, amidst all our metropolitan 
improvements, fountains have not been ere now projected for the embellishment 
of the larger squares, especially as a command of water from the water companies is 
so easily and cheaply obtained. It is true that in order to have a grand display, 
forcing machinery would be required for some situations. But as these displays 
VOL. V. NO. XLIX. C 
