306 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
characteristic of beauty, or the long undulations exhibit the 
outlines of Hogarth’s favourite line of grace. 
In places of large extent there may be scenes in different 
portions of the park, of totally different character ; one sim- 
ply beautiful, abounding with graceful and flowing lines, 
and another highly picturesque, and full of spirited breaks 
and variations ; such often form very pleasing and striking 
contrasts to each other, and should therefore, by all means, 
be preserved : but they should also be rendered distinct by 
their own surrounding plantations, else much of their effect 
as a whole, when separately considered, will be lost upon 
the spectator. For it should be remembered the mind is 
incapable of appreciating, or doing justice, to two distinct 
and dissimilar expressions at the same time. Whatever be 
the scene to be improved, therefore, it should be taken by 
itself and considered as a whole, if the eye command that 
scene alone. Then the improver can proceed on the prin- 
ciple that every piece of ground is distinguished by certain 
properties : it is either tame or bold, graceful or rude, con- 
tinued or broken ; and if any variety inconsistent with these 
expressions be obtruded, it has no other effect than to 
weaken one idea without raising another. u The insipi- 
dity of a flat is not taken away by a few scattered hillocks ; 
a continuation of uneven ground can alone give the idea of 
irregularity. A large, deep, abrupt break, among easy 
swells and falls, seems at best but a piece left unfinished, 
and which ought to have been softened ; it is not more 
natural because it is more rude. On the other hand, a fine 
small polished form, in the midst of rough, mis-shapen 
ground, though more elegant than all about it, is generally 
no better than a patch, itself disgraced and disfiguring the 
scene. A thousand instances might be added to show that 
