EMBELLISHMENTS. 
431 
Rockwork is another kind of decoration sometimes intro- 
duced in particular portions of the scenery of a residence, Fig. 
89. When well executed, that is, so as to have a natural 
and harmonious expression, the effect is highly pleasing. 
We have seen, however, in places where a high keeping and 
good taste otherwise prevailed, such a barbarous melange , or 
confused pile of stones mingled with soil, and planted over 
with dwarfish plants dignified with the name of rockwork, 
that we have been led to believe that it is much better to 
attempt nothing of the kind, unless there is a suitable place 
for its display, and at the same time, the person attempting it 
is sufficiently an artist, imbued with the spirit of nature in 
her various compositions and combinations, to be able to 
produce something higher than a caricature of her works. 
The object of rockwork is to produce in scenery or por- 
tions of a scene, naturally, or in a great measure destitute of 
groups of rocks and their accompanying drapery of plants 
and foliage, something of the picturesque effect which such 
natural assemblages confer. To succeed in this, it is evident 
that we must not heap up little hillocks of mould and smooth 
stones, in the midst of an open lawn, or the centre of a flower- 
