183 
GARDEN ARCHITECTURE. 
Whatever ministers to the intellectual gratification of mankind, and evinces 
a superiority to the considerations of utility and profit, is indisputably to be regarded 
as a token of advancing refinement. And hence, when we see private individuals 
of all grades bestowing a portion of their income on the culture of plants which 
produce no pecuniary return, we deduce the pleasing fact that the nation (not 
aggregately alone, but as respects the individuals composing it) is in a higher state 
of civilization than it has ever before reached ; the appreciation of beauty, without 
reference to substantial advantage, being the most striking evidence of mental 
culture. 
As far as this state, however, is displayed in the erection of houses for the 
cultivation of exotic plants, we have lamented, in a previous paper, that it should 
yet be generally in such a meagre condition. The object, as we understand it, of 
all attempts to conserve tender or tropical plants by means of glazed structures, is 
not merely to ensure their protection from cold, wet, or other injurious external 
circumstances, although the attainment of these ends is of acknowledged importance. 
Plant culture has a higher aim. It is an endeavour to realize a yet more beautiful 
and prolific state than even that which is apparent in the native localities of the 
subjects of attention ; and to arrange them in such a manner, as well as bring 
around them, as much as practicable, such congenial features, as shall tend rather 
to heighten than depreciate their own peculiar charms. 
But this is only one of the rules which should guide the culturist in the con- 
struction of his greenhouses and stoves. Another, of almost equal moment in 
pleasure-gardens, is the aspect such structures present from the spots at which they 
are visible, and the manner in which they harmonize with the scenery immediately 
surrounding them. Now, while temples, arbours, grottoes, &c., are usually placed 
in natural and proper positions, and made to accord, in some degree, with the 
distinctive features of an estate or a scene, conservatories, in their different forms, 
are too frequently built where convenience dictates, and consigned to some retired 
portion of the pleasure-grounds, where their seclusion, or their proximity to out- 
houses and frame-yards, is considered a sufficient pretext for rendering them, in 
whole or in part, unworthy of the garden, and of the purpose for which they are 
destined. 
Decidedly thinking that these erections should, in themselves, be conspicuous 
and ornamental features of a garden scene, and that they should occupy distin- 
guished positions, both as regards style and situation, among the other objects of 
art assembled in a domain, we very strongly exclaim against their being reduced to 
so subordinate a station. As we have, however, in the article already referred to, 
explained our principal objections to the present prevailing style, or want of style, 
