These examples are not given as models, but as illustrations of the application of architectural arrangement to very unpromising places. The house was in each case either built or definitely located before the writer's assistance was sought.

The accompanying sketch (fig. 94) shows an inside corner of a terraced garden, having a walk parallel to the front at about 6 feet higher level, the whole overlooked by a very lofty terrace.

The difficulties encountered in making a satisfactory design were not inconsiderable, principally in consequence of the presence of the two large trees shown in the cut. These the proprietor was unwilling to sacrifice, and, as they lay fairly on each side of a walk immediately under the principal windows, they were not to be lightly destroyed. It will be seen that the ground slopes downwards from right to left, and that, as the earth could be only partially removed for the end wall of the terrace, in consequence of the roots of the elm extending themselves in that direction very near the surface, it became necessary to step the balustrade down in some way which should unite the coping, which was all that bounded the garden proper, with the upper terrace with its flight of steps, raised bed, and the still loftier terrace from which the view is taken. The fall of ground outside this end was concealed to a great extent by low-growing evergreens.

The house was of the Georgian era, and had about it several vases and balls of a good but somewhat old

fashioned style. It seemed necessary to keep up in the garden to a considerable extent the general character of the house and this the writer hopes he has done. The proprietor took an amount of interest in the work which was very gratifying; and to his patience in studying the character of the place, and judgment in suggesting improvements, the work mainly owes any merit it may possess.

The next subject which will be noticed is the garden proper as connected with architectural embellishment.

THE GARDEN.

Those who expect that the writer will give patterns -which, it will readily be seen, can only be applicable to certain cases-will be disappointed. There is little use in filling page after page with illustrations of what he or others did at certain places. If anyone who reads this book had a place of exactly the same aspect, soil, climate, situation, size, &c., an illustration of a similar work might be of use; but as no two places are alike, and as, if they were, it is to be hoped that none of his readers would desire a direct copy of such a work, the author prefers to give a general idea of a good garden, the characteristics of which can be applied, more or less, to any place whatever.

It may readily be supposed that few landscape gardeners, whose practice mainly consists in laying out large grounds, have time to study the garden proper,

considered botanically. They will, of course, know perfectly well how to design the beds; that is to say, what form to give them, and what would be a good arrangement of colours. They know that the Amaranthus melancholicus is a bright purple, and the Perilla a dark purple, almost black; the Centaurea argentea, the Stachys canata, the Cineraria, the Cerastium tomentosum, silver-grey; Mentha var., Arabis var., and Koniga maritima, pale or variegated green, good for borders. They can recommend beds, each of one colour, or panel beds where great variety is given; but to expect the knowledge of a gardener, as to the seasons of every bedding plant, is unreasonable. It is something to know the habits of trees and shrubs. As a rule, no practical gardener can lay out a garden; indeed, it would seem that they have a more than ordinary inaptitude for it even first-rate nursery gardeners make strange mistakes, but, to their credit, are not averse to recommend the employment of a professional landscape gardener. Nurserymen are eminently practical; they make their name and fame by raising superior plants, shrubs, and trees; and this requires a special and all-engrossing attention. The acclimitisation and introduction of a new plant are of more importance to them than the æsthetic improvement of the whole landscape gardening art. As a class they are reliable; and if any special instance of their fair dealing occurs to any reader, it will be surprising only inasmuch as many with whom architects and landscape