ROCKERIES, GROTTOES, AND CAVERNS. 
137 
the same restrictions hold good with respect to the flower-gardens, parterres, or orna- 
mental gardens, fronting or encircling all sorts of architectural buildings. Temples, 
conservatories, and other garden structures that are not absolutely rustic, must not 
be invaded by the wildness of nature, nor their precincts be rendered too conformable 
to natural circumstances, or studded with anything that has the appearance of 
rusticity and carelessness. 
Several instances might be mentioned to which the objections thus made are 
particularly applicable. We sometimes see little villas, of scarcely an acre in extent, 
in which grottoes are on the same level, and quite unconcealed by trees, within a 
few yards of the house ; and cases have been presented to our observation in which 
large heaps of rockwork form the principal foreground to a residence, as viewed from 
the road passing in front. More glaring examples, because of greater pretensions, 
are to be found in a few places really celebrated for their rockeries, where the 
materials are actually scattered in groups on the lawn directly connected with the 
main fa<^ade of the mansion. To all these we must distinctly apply the most un- 
mitigated censure. 
There are conditions, nevertheless, which render the proximity of rockwork to 
buildings tolerable, and even interesting. When flower-gardens front a residence, 
a conservatory, a range of fioricultural erections, or any other architectural appanage 
to the pleasure-grounds, and it is especially desired to cultivate those plants which 
either succeed best among rocks, or produce a better effect when planted on them ; 
their introduction will be proper, and deserving of approbation. Only it should be 
apparent in their figure, and in the prominence rather of the plants to be grown 
than the substances on which they are elevated, that the imitation of nature is not 
attempted, but merely the provision of a suitable medium for cultivation. 
In addition to the necessity for keeping masses of rustic work adequately remote 
from the more conspicuous productions of art, and the luxuries of a home scene, it 
is of little less importance, as far as relates to the enjoyment of those occupying a 
mansion, or inspecting a garden from its apartments, that rockeries should not be 
discernible from any part thereof. Undoubtedly, when on a scale of sufficient mag- 
nitude and grandeur, they may become fit components of the distant garden scene, 
and give to it a diversity which might else be lacking. But the means are rarely 
at hand for carrying such a work as this into effect ; and where there are facilities, 
nature either more appropriately employs them, or there is wanting that genius 
which can alone make use of them in a becoming manner. 
Piles of rocks, however rude, meeting the eye among trees, flowers, and other 
garden decorations, must be particularly impressive, and characteristic enough in 
themselves to demand specific attention, and their entire outlines be so bold and 
visible as to make them individually noticeable, or they cannot enhance the pleasure 
derivable from any view\ To place them where they are half seen, half hidden 
amid the luxuriance of vegetation, from the windows of a dwelling, is, consequently, 
to be guilty of another breach of propriety and taste ; and rockeries that circum- 
VOL. VIII. — no, xc. 
T 
