THE LOTE OR LOTOS OF THE ANCIENTS. 
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ground, and merge softly into each other, the less artificial they are the better. The 
windings of a river, as seen from a lofty hill, or a partially frequented and inartificial 
cart or foot-track across a waste, or through a forest, where there are many natural 
obstructions, will often afford a good study for both walks and drives. And all that has 
here been written with reference to walks, alike holds good in regard to drives ; only the 
curves in the latter should of course be still longer and freer. 
Wherever, from the tameness of a locality, or the wish to hide unseemly objects, or the 
desire to obtain more shelter, or the possession, from any source, of a quantity of surplus 
soil, it becomes necessary to form artificial undulations or mounds, or to deepen or raise the 
hollows and swells actually existing, scope is always thus afforded for the development of 
the beautiful in lines. A few observations on this subject, drawn from a close notice of 
the manner in which nature generally varies the surface of the earth in districts where 
either knolls, hills, or mountains are very abundant and diversified, may not be misplaced. 
Where the greatest beauty of lines prevails, there is considerable irregularity of height 
and breadth, with arms jutting forward here and there, at varied intervals, and of different 
lengths. All the undulations are essentially gentle and easy. The broadest parts, and 
those which stand most forward, are the highest, and the narrow parts consequently lowest. 
The base is generally carried out till it gradually passes into the level land, and invariably 
by a concave curve. In the narrower and lower parts, this curve is all the more concave, 
so as to partake more of the shape of a large expanded spoon. 
It is obvious that, in making artificial mounds or hollows, on however small a scale, the 
more faithfully these characteristics are copied, with a due allowance for the contracted 
dimensions, the greater will be the beauty of line realised. And in raising the ground for 
plantations, or for single plants on lawns, the above rule as to lengthening out the base till 
it blends softly with the general level, and making the sloping edge concave, instead of flat 
or convex, will do more towards improving the beauty of a lawn, and giving boldness and 
character to the outline of the plantations and groups upon it, than almost any other thing 
that could be done to it. As a final rule, where the face of artificial mounds is to be 
partially clothed with turf, and partly planted, the grass should ascend much higher up the 
hollows and low parts, creeping even over the upper edge in some places, and the plants 
be brought lower down and forwarder on all the principal swells, a taller description of 
plant being also chosen for such prominent parts. Such an arrangement would tend much 
to the production of variety and beauty of outline. 
The theme is a fertile one, and has been but scantily investigated. It must now, 
however, be dismissed with a few words on the beauty of lines in those architectural objects 
which are fitted for garden decoration. If such forms are sufficiently removed from the 
house not to compose a part of it, the propriety of using right lines and angles generally in 
them, admits of grave question. And whether, commonly, such things as circular temples, 
summer houses, stone basins for water, and conservatories ; with columnar pedestals for 
vases and statuary, bridges or viaducts ; in which arches are most prominent ; curvilinear, 
domical, or conical roofs for conservatories ; and a more free general introduction of curved 
lines, would not be better accordant with garden scenery, it may be worth while diligently 
to inquire. The writer recently noticed, in the neighbourhood of Chester, a very elegant 
little bell-shaped garden tent, which he could not but regard as a feeling after the beautiful 
in such matters, highly worthy of imitation. 
THE LOTE OR LOTOS OF THE ANCIENTS. 
By the name of Lotos, several plants whose habits are very dissimilar, were known to the 
ancients, and are also acknowledged by modern writers. The Lotos of Egypt, for instance, 
so often mentioned in ancient writings, and which was carved in the Egyptian temples and 
on Obelisks, and held by them in such sacred veneration, was without doubt some species 
of water lily. 
