GRADES AND LEVELS 53 
whatever the topography, there is a lead; and 
though it may hide itself persistently, diligent 
consideration will reveal it. Hints rise veri- 
tably out of the ground, so it is the ground 
that must be searched to find them. Keep in 
mind that the object in all you do is to insinuate 
your presence and handiwork into the pres- 
ence of the earth-spirits and their handiwork 
so gently and deftly and subtly that harmony 
will never be disturbed; and realize that this 
may be done only by accepting their mood as 
displayed in the chosen bit and adopting it 
for yours — for the mood of your home. Do 
the thing, in other words, that is obviously 
the logical thing, the thing that evolves easily 
and naturally along the lines established back 
in the ages when earth was plastic. Low 
ground or high, flat or sloping, take it as it is ; 
do as it bids you. 
Difficulties are at once apprehended at this 
mention of low ground, I know; but there is 
really no more reason for shrinking from 
frank treatment in a hollow than on a hill. 
Bear in mind, too, that unskilled labor can cart 
earth from place to place and fill the hollow 
with the hill but surely intelligence and imagina- 
tion ought not to resort to methods so crude. 
Intelligence and imagination should be able to 
