374 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
walks, fine turf, a few elegant shrubs and trees, and numerous plots of 
flowers. These, however, are all so, disposed as not to mask the win¬ 
dows, or obstruct the views down into and across the valley, to the 
opposite and distant scenery of the park and surrounding country. 
The platform is divided by a straight walk, proceeding from the 
south door of the house to a flight of steps at the other end, which lead 
down to the ha! ha! and fenced by an iron gate. This is only an 
occasional outlet for company wishing a stroll in the park, or for the 
admission of equestrians wishing to alight there. In the centre of this 
walk, and half way betwixt the house and steps just mentioned, there 
is a sun-dial, supported by a kneeling white-marble figure of Time, 
most elaborately and correctly executed. 
There are but few trees admitted on the platform, for reasons already 
given. An acacia (Robinia pseudacacia ) t one angle of the house, 
and a deciduous cypress (Taxodium distichum ) at the other, with two 
or three others of equally light and elegant forms, are planted at the 
sides. These, as well as some low evergreen shrubs, are placed so as 
to flank some of the most extensive vistas across the park, and always 
thrown against or backed by groups of trees planted on the slope, outside 
of the ha ! ha! 
The advantages, convenience, and beauty of this disposition of what I 
shall henceforth call the terrace, are manifold. The cheerful airiness and 
light afforded to every front window and room in the house; the highly- 
dressed surface without, corresponding to the elegant comfort within; 
the pleasing ideas of security arising from the impassable fence by 
which it is inclosed, together with the freedom it allows of looking on 
the face of the sky, as well as on the face of the earth, are all circum¬ 
stances of the most gratifying kind, and, moreover, are indispensable to 
a country seat. 
A walk on a raised terrace, with its embattled parapet, is not only 
one of the most inviting and agreeable, but one of the oldest features 
belonging to the ancient country seats of our sovereigns, nobles, and 
knights of former days. In the feudal times, when every baron’s house 
was a castle, the terraced front was indispensable ; it was the only 
place the inmates had for recreation and exercise in safety and seclu¬ 
sion. Thence they could observe the movements of an enemy, or descry 
the approach of friends. Here the plumed knight 
Strode stoutly east and west the wa’; 
and here the lordly dames flaunted in all their lofty dignity. Whether 
for the moated mansion in the valley, or for that on the precipitous 
