4 
SUBURBAN GARDENS. 
jumbles we sometimes witness in tbe planting of gardens of this 
class ; it is wholly or in part a flower-garden, a grove, or what¬ 
ever other general character may be chosen, and as such should 
be furnished ; the introduction of forest trees in a parterre is not 
a greater absurdity than much that may be detected every day in 
this respect. What we would particularly urge is, that not only 
for effect sake, but also for the welfare of the plants themselves, 
every natural group should be so stationed, as not to interfere 
with the adjoining family. The size of the premises will, if 
“ keeping” be regarded, prescribe pretty accurately what is most 
fitting to plant: trees that form the chief feature of one garden, 
would in a smaller be completely out of place, and, where flowers 
should prevail, the injudicious employment of an excess of ever¬ 
green shrubs, however ornamental they may be in other positions, 
would here create a gloom not easily repressed; in order there¬ 
fore to attain the desired end, union of expression must be pre¬ 
served by a strict observance of proportion between one part and 
another, and the several parts with the whole. 
Beside these fundamental principles, there is yet another matter, 
which in itself exercises a considerable influence on all the ulte¬ 
rior enjoyment of the work : we allude to its finish. If the word 
“keeping” can be understood to convey the signification usually 
assigned it in connexion with matters of the kind, “finish” surely 
expresses our present meaning; by it we intend not only the 
execution of the work, but the proper settlement of such matters 
of detail as are not comprehended in the broad principles with 
which we set out; the term may be said to include almost all 
extraneous ornament, for the introduction of vases, fountains, 
grottoes, and similar objects, cannot be said to form part of the 
original design, though they have considerable effect upon it, and 
to this finish we must often look for no small amount of the 
pleasure derivable from the whole. In villa gardens, matters of 
the kind are peculiarly effective; indeed so general is this feeling, 
that the probability of error exists chiefly on the side of overdoing 
them, a regard to their fitness for the proposed situation, and a 
careful observance of the proportion they should bear, will, 
however, secure that union of expression so desirable and neces¬ 
sary to the perfect finish, which alone can be satisfactory to a 
correct taste. 
