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THE BEAUTIFUL AND PICTURESQUE IN GARDEN SCENERY. 
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culinary vegetables — one class of vegetation suggesting the useful and homely alone to the mind, and 
the other, avowedly, only the ornamental. 
In the arrangement of a large extent of surface, where a great many objects are necessarily pre- 
sented to the eye at once, the principle of unity will suggest that there should be some grand or 
leading features to which the others should be merely subordinate. Thus, in grouping trees, there 
should be some large and striking masses to which the others appear to belong, however distant, 
instead of scattered groups, all of the same size. Even in arranging walks, a whole will more readily 
be recognised, if there are one or two of large size, with which the others appear connected as 
branches, than if all are equal in breadth, and present the same appearance to the eye in passing. 
In all works of art which command universal admiration, we discover a unity of conception and 
composition, and a unity of taste and execution. To assemble in a single composition forms which are 
discordant, and portions dissimilar in plan, can only afford pleasure for a short time to tasteless minds, 
or those fond of trifling and puerile conceits. The production of an accordant whole is, on the 
contrary, capable of affording the most permanent enjoyment to educated minds, everywhere, and at 
all periods of time. 
2. Variety is a fertile source of beauty in Landscape Gardening. Variety must be considered as 
belonging more to the details than to the production of a whole ; and it may be attained by disposing 
trees and shrubs in numerous different ways, and by the introduction of a great number of different 
species of vegetation, or kinds of walks, ornamental objects, buildings, and seats. By producing 
intricacy, it creates in scenery a thousand points of interest, and elicits new beauties, through different 
arrangements, and combinations of forms and colours, light and shades. In pleasure-grounds, while 
the whole should exhibit a general plan, the different scenes presented to the eye, one after the other, 
should possess sufficient variety in the detail to keep alive the interest of the spectator, and awaken 
further curiosity. 
3. HARMONY may be considered the principle presiding over variety, and preventing it from 
becoming discordant. It indeed always supposes contrasts, but neither so strong nor so frequent as 
to produce discord ; and variety, but not so great as to destroy a leading expression. In plantations, 
we seek it in a combination of qualities, opposite, in some respects, — as in the colour of the foliage ; and 
similar in others more important, — as the form. In embellishments, by a great variety of objects of 
interest, as sculptured vases, sundials, or rustic seats, baskets, and arbours, of different forms, but all in 
accordance, or keeping, with the spirit of the scene. 
To illustrate these three principles, with reference to Landscape Gardening, we may remark, 
that, if unity only were consulted, a scene might be planted with but one kind of tree, the effect of 
which would be sameness; on the other hand, variety might be carried so far as to have every tree of 
a different kind, which would produce a confused effect. Harmony, however, introduces contrast and 
variety, but keeps them subordinate to unity, and to the leading expression, and is, thus, the highest 
principle of the three. 
In this brief abstract of the nature of imitation in Landscape Gardening, and the kinds of beauty 
which it is possible to produce by means of the art, we have endeavoured to elucidate its leading 
principles, clearly, to the reader. These grand principles we shall here succinctly recapitulate, pre- 
mising that a familiarity with them is of the very first importance in the successful practice of this 
elegant art, viz. : — 
The Imitation of the Beauty of Expression, derived from a refined perception of the senti- 
ment of nature. 
The Recognition of Art, founded on the immutability of the true, as well as the beautiful. 
The Production of Unity, Harmony, and Variety, in order to render complete and continuous 
our enjoyment of any artistical work. 
Neither the professional landscape gardener nor the amateur can hope for much success in realizing 
the nobler effects of the art, unless he first make himself master of the natural character or prevailing 
expression of the place to be improved. In this nice perception, at a glance, of the natural expression, 
as well as the capabilities of a residence, lies the secret of the superior results produced even by the 
improver, who, to use the words of Horace Walpole, " is proud of no other art than that of softening 
nature's harshness, and copying her graceful touch." When we discover the Picturesque indicated in 
the grounds of the residence to be treated, let us take advantage of it ; and while all harshness incom- 
patible with scenery near the house is removed, the original expression may, in most cases, be heightened, 
— in all, rendered more elegant and appropriate, without lowering it in force or spirit. In like manner, 
good taste will direct us to embellish scenery expressive of the Beautiful, by the addition of forms, 
whether in trees, buildings, or other objects, harmonious in character, as well as in colour and outline. 
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