APPENDIX. 
489 
itself, and from the adjoining grounds, to a point, or rather a line, 
which is in itself of little consequence, hut which, by the paring, is 
obtruded on the eye, so as to destroy all allusion to stability. We are 
displeased with the paring of the edges, because it conveys the idea that 
the walks are not finished, or that they are liable to be disturbed in this 
way from time to time ; and nothing, either in grounds or in buildings, 
is more unsatisfactory than an apparent want of stability or fixedness. 
It is as much the nature of the ground to be fixed and immoveable, as it 
is of trees and shrubs to increase in growth ; and, hence, any operation, 
such as clipping, which seems to stop the growth of the one, is as un- 
satisfactory to the eye as paring, which seems to derange the fixed state 
of the other. Would that we could impress this on the minds of all 
gardeners and their employers ! 
The Pond is of an irregular shape, so arranged as with the assistance 
of the island to prevent the whole of it, and consequently its limited 
extent, from being seen from any one point in the garden. For the same 
reason, the walk only goes along one side, there being but one point on the 
western side, viz : where the iron seats are close to the agaves, from 
which any part of the pond can be seen. The pond is so situated as to 
form the main feature in the right-hand view from the drawing-room 
window, as shown in Fig. 3, in p. 417 ; the wooded island, (which is 
shown rather too much in the middle in the plan, though, perhaps, not so 
in reality,) disguising the boundary from that and every other point of 
view. The bank of the pond on one side is rocky, and nearly perpen- 
dicular ; while on the other it is sloping, and partly "covered with shrubs. 
At k in Fig. 13, in p. 477, there is a boat-house, on the top of which are 
several large agaves, the common, the variegated, and Agave plicatilis ; 
the tubs containing which are so disguised by rockwork, as to create an 
allusion to the appearance of these plants in their native habitats. The 
appearance of these agaves, and also of a large crassula, is indicated in 
a view of the boat-house, Fig. 17, in p. 483 ; and it is only from a seat 
among these agaves that any part of the pond can be seen from this side 
of it. Had a walk been conducted completely round the pond, and near 
its margin, the charm of partial concealment would have been entirely 
lost. The high banks have been formed with earth taken out of the poiid, 
and these have given occasion to a considerable variety in the inclination, 
as well as in the direction, of the walks. The banks are planted on the 
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