The Country Graveyard 
a fountain or ornamental basin ; it might be a 
circle planted with flowers ; it might be a 
group of trees, and for a knoll in the middle 
of a burying ground there is no fitter crown 
than a trio of graceful willows or a cluster of 
solemn yews. A radial point like this, 
toward which the lines of headstones or of 
lot-fronts carry the eye, amends lor much 
that is common or humble in the details of 
its setting, and these details fall, by contrast, 
tones and quiet whispers ; it suggests age, 
which is always pleasing, since it removes 
from the place of burial that look of newness 
which reminds us of the sorrows of yester¬ 
day. The yew is agreeable with monuments 
and architecture, lending a background and 
environment that is picturesque without 
sharpness, and throwing shade in masses in¬ 
stead of broken, quaking spots ; it therefore 
participates in the effect of solidity and en- 
A PRIVATE CEMETERY 
On the Wye River, Maryland 
into due subordination. For we must pick 
our trees, and avoid those, like birches and 
poplars, whose slender, upright lines are 
excitant or grandiose, or whose green is too 
bright for the dominant note in a color 
arrangement. Level and billowy lines are 
restful; hence low spreading trees are best. 
'The English yew is especiallv admirable as 
an accessory or as an accent in the rural cem¬ 
etery, for it is dark and solemn, yet beautiful 
and unoppressing; it talks at night, not 
with eager flutterings, but in sober mono¬ 
durance that pertains to those houses which 
are to last for centuries. 
H ouses? Yet, of stonework may there 
not be too much? Headstones and monu¬ 
ments are enough. Curbs and posts are out 
of place with the green hills. If there must 
be borders, let them be green also—of box, 
for instance ; and if hedges are needed, then 
of cedar. But here trouble arises, because 
the rural cemetery is so usually neglected 
that the borders and hedges grow scraggy 
and escape into unsuited spots, so that it is 
■246 
