166 
LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
variously placed as regards their distance from the real boundary, 
no idea is given of its proximity by any lineal disposition of the 
trees. 
I cannot, however, convey to you any thing like a perfect idea of 
the beauty and great variety of ever-changing scenes, which strike 
the eye and arrest the attention of the beholder, in making a tour of 
Fairfax Park. The advancing and receding masses of wood; the 
opening and closing of the glades and vistas, sometimes extending 
quite across the park, or shut up at shorter distances, ever shifting 
with the position of the spectator, are circumstances which constantly 
employ and please the mind of the perambulator. 
Various objects, within as well as without the park, serve to 
heighten the value of this sylvan scenery. Within, there are cattle 
sheds, having some little architectural character bestowed on them; 
now and then we have a glimpse of the mansion-house, or of the lake, 
with its accompaniments; and in many places there are seats for 
pedestrians. Every object of interest in the country around, may also 
be seen from some one station or another, from within ;—such as 
churches, castles, or distant prospects. So that while enjoying the 
idea of privacy and security, which a ramble in the park never fails 
to excite, these preclude not the roving eye which inclines to look on 
the world around. 
The rides in the park are considerably extended by gates, in various 
directions, opening to the country around, but particularly into the 
farm, already mentioned. This is a very complete concern, of about two 
hundred acres, kept on hand for the service of the establishment; and 
is managed by a steward, who resides at the homestead, about a mile 
to the north-westward of the hall. 
The management and stocking of the park is very intimately 
connected with the farm; indeed, from what I have previously told 
you of the former, of its groves, and lake, and rides, &c., I should not 
be surprised if you have formed an opinion that the whole is a large 
expanse of barren pleasure-ground. But I can assure you, from what 
I have learnt, that the park is fully as profitable as the arable land, 
and without its assistance the farm would be scarcely worth cultivation. 
It enables the steward to keep a vast herd of all kinds of profitable 
live stock, whence ample supplies of the richest dress are afforded for 
the arable land, and which, in consequence, is doubly productive. All 
the hay consumed on the estate is grown in the park : a line of iron 
hurdles divides the meadow ground, below the lake, from the high 
pastures, nearer the house ; and remain till the hay is cut, made, and 
carried. A principal part of this is carted to the homestead, but there 
