times to be tolerated, from a variety of considerations. But the evil is much aggravated when such an approach is one for vehicles also, and servants as well as friends have thus the free use of it. Of course this will depend very much on the arrangement of the house, the correct position of the entrance-door being a matter frequently overlooked by architects.

16. Some gardens are, moreover, so contracted, or of such a peculiar shape, that the appropriation of any part of them to vegetables or fruits appears quite inconsistent with the attainment of any kind of beauty in the ornamental portions. And, in such instances, the kitchen department may very properly be omitted. A mere scrap or corner of kitchen garden, which only serves to mar the general design, can afford no real pleasure; and the conveniences it would supply are commonly otherwise and easily attainable. The propriety of devoting a piece of ground to these purposes will, however, depend more on the general figure of the land, and the position and arrangement of the house, than on the mere size of the plot. If the ground lies entirely in front of the principal windows, and is but narrow, a kitchen garden would seem inadmissible, in point of taste; the front of a house appearing to demand only ornamental and pleasurable accompaniments. Besides, kitchen gardens are usually by no means so profitable as they are thought to be, and must be regarded more as a luxury than a source of saving. Vegetables can, in most cases, be purchased more cheaply than they can be grown; and it is merely for securing their freshness, and the pleasure of having reared them, that a kitchen garden is worth consideration. Herbs and salads are alone of any real consequence, since it is very convenient to have these at hand for any emergency; and they can ordinarily be put in some quiet corner of the grounds, where they will not obtrude on the attention.

PART III.

WHAT TO ATTAIN.

IN proceeding to the various points which the designer of a garden should endeavour to compass, as far as the nature of the locality and other unavoidable conditions will allow, it may be well to premise that any rules here furnished can only be of general application. It is obviously impossible to lay down principles which shall embrace every variety of case; and hence some who practise landscape-gardening depend mainly on their eye, both in creating and judging of artificial scenery. Doubtless, too, there is much in almost every garden which requires it to be treated peculiarly, in some way or other; the outline and surface of the plot, the position, arrangement, and aspects of the house, and the requirements of the owner, having mostly something in them different from what they are in any other place, and consequently needing a corresponding difference of treatment. And it is in the skilful use and blending of these various objects and purposes that the art of the landscapegardener consists. In reference, therefore, to such circumstances, general rules would seem, at first sight, to be of little use, or an actual disadvantage; embarrassing and encumbering rather than aiding the practitioner.

But the advantage of fixed principles, even in the most uncommon and complex examples, will only be overlooked on a cursory view. Closer observation will always show that, although there may be cases in which no recognised law could be carried out in its naked simplicity, yet that some modification

or mixture of one or more rules must be adopted, in order to produce any really good effect; and that, while such a result may be accomplished by accident, it is far easier, and more satisfactory, to attain it by design. In what follows, then, most of the rules given will be found more or less applicable to all gardens of the class treated of; though they will often require much consideration, and some ability, to adapt them to particular localities. It will, however, be a primary aim to render them as suited as is possible to the condition of the mass of those likely to consult them.

CHAPTER I.

GENERAL PRINCIPLES.

1. Simplicity, with some degree of intricacy, are, perhaps, the first things to be aimed at in laying out a garden. In the absence of the one, there can, in a small space, be no indication of refined taste; and without the other, no permanent pleasure will be experienced. Seemingly anomalous as they are, they may yet be made perfectly compatible. A design may be essentially simple, without being bald or severe; and intricate, without becoming labyrinthine. Simplicity is the opposite of ostentation and extravagance; intricacy, of mere blankness. Simplicity is the offspring of the highest taste, and is a prime element in pure beauty. Not that it altogether characterises the beauty which is, "when unadorned, adorned the most." For it is perfectly consistent with some degree of chaste ornament.

A garden should have more or less simplicity, according to its size and character, in its main outlines, arrangements, and furniture. The transitions in it should all be easy and flowing, the lines all graceful, the decorations elegant. Very rarely will a small garden bear being furnished with any striking evidences of wealth, or luxury, or elaboration. The hand of art should touch it so lightly as to leave few traces of its operations. Its forms and figures ought all to be gently rounded off, and unite softly with each other. Lawn and gravel, shrub, tree, and flower, with all the less common and more costly appendages, must appear to belong to one another, and to fit into the place. in which they occur.

2. At the same time, the intricacy which arises from a partial

and pleasing involution of parts, from slight and insensible changes, and from that artful arrangement of single plants and groups which produces freshness of aspect and newness of vista from so many different points of view, must not be neglected. For a garden may be all that is correct, and tasteful, and classical, and yet, like a well-moulded countenance, prove dull, tame, and void of expression. It is play of feature,-a something behind and beyond which has not been explored,-novelty of expression, variation of aspect, an alluring attraction onwards. after higher beauties,-that constitutes, in both instances, the life, the spirit, and the charm. Intricacy is, in fact, the very soul of landscape-gardening.

3. Convenience is likewise a thing which requires to be duly studied and provided for. As, in a house, a beautiful exterior will never compensate for defective internal accommodation, so, with a garden, the most perfectly tasteful disposition of parts will never give real satisfaction, if comfort and convenience have been sacrificed. It must be remembered that a garden is intended not merely to be looked at from the windows of a house, or the elevation of a terrace-walk, but to be used and to be enjoyed. The walks should therefore pass as easily and as directly to their appointed object as can well be accomplished, and they should be dry in wet weather, and smooth during drought. The land must also be well drained, so as to be capable of being worked or walked upon at all times. Every feature of interest ought always to be comfortably accessible. A flower-garden and a greenhouse should be near or adjoining the house, for the sake of affording the family ready means of examining or gathering the flowers. A kitchen-garden should also not be far from the kitchen, that the produce may be conveyed to the latter with little labour, and without attracting observation. It should further be placed near the stable-yard, that manure may be soon removed from the one to the other. And, when practicable, a kitchen-garden may, on one side at least, abut upon a road or lane, that soil, manure, &c., may be carted to it at any time.