it down as an invariable rule, that all ornamental grounds fhould have a complete landscape, to be feen from fome part of the house; and to be made from a perspective drawing, previously taken from the window of the faloon, or the top of the manfion. The work, in other refpects, has, nevertheless, great merit, and is in fact an ingenious Effay on English Gardening. The Frenchman's vanity, however, willnot fuffer him to make this acknowledgement: no, it is neither Antients, nor Moderns, nor English, nor Chinese; and there is fome reason to fufpect, that the Marquis holds out landfcape for no other purpose, than to endeavour to give his work the air of originality; for, in other refpects, it contains, in effect, what Wheatley and Mafon, Kent and Brown, have previously taught and practifed.

Notwithstanding, however, the nature of the place ought not to be facrificed to the manfion; the house must ever be allowed to be a principal in the compofition. It ought to be confidered as the center of the fyftem; and the rays of art, like those of the fun, fhould grow fainter as they recede from the center. The house itself being entirely a work of art, its immediate environs fhould be highly finished; but as the distance increases, the appearance of defign fhould gradually diminish, until Nature and fortuitoufnefs have full poffeffion of the fcene.

In general, the approach fhould be to the backfront, which, in fuitable fituations, ought to lie

open

open to the pafture-grounds. On the fides more highly ornamented, a well-kept gravel-walk may embrace the walls; to this the fhaven lawn and shrubbery fucceed; next, the grounds closely pas+ tured; and, lastly, the furrounding country, which ought not to be confidered as out of the artist's reach for his art confifts not more in decorating particular spots, than in endeavouring to render the whole face of Nature delightful.

Another reason for this mode of arrangement is, objects immediately under the eye are feen more distinctly than thofe at a diftance, and ought to be fuch as are pleafing in the detail. The beauties of a flower can be difcerned on a near view only; whilst, at a distance, a roughet of coppice-wood, and the most elegant arrangement of flowering fhrubs, have the fame effect. The moft rational entertainment the human mind is capable of receiv-ing, is that of obferving the operations of Nature. The foliation of a leaf, the blowing of flowers, and the maturation of fruit, are among the most delightful fubjects that a contemplative mind can be employed in. Thefe proceffes of Nature are flow, and except the object fall fpontaneously under the of the obferver, the inconveniencies of vifiting it in a remote part, fo far interfere with the more important employments of life, as to blunt, if not deftroy, the enjoyment. This is a strong argu ment in favour of fhrubs and flowers being planted under or near our windows, efpecially those from

eye

whence

whence they may be viewed during the hours of leifure and tranquillity.

Further, the vegetable creation being fubject to the animal, the fhrub may be cropt, or the flower trodden down, in its day of beauty. If, therefore, we wish to converfe with Nature in private, intruders must be kept off, the fhrubbery be fe vered from the ground; yet not in such a manner as to drive away the pafturing stock from our fight. For this reason, the fhaven lawn ought not to be too extenfive, and the fence which inclofes it fhould be fuch as will not interrupt the view: But whether it be feen or unfeen, fufpelled or unfufpected, is a matter of no great import: its utility in protecting the fhrubs and flowers,-in keeping the horns of the cattle from the window, and the feet of the fheep from the gravel and broken ground,-in preferving that neatness on the outfide, which ought to correfpond with the finishings and furniture within,render it of fufficient importance to become even a of the ornament.

part

Before any step can be taken towards the execution of the defign, be it large or fmall, a map or plan of the place, exactly as it lies in its unimproved ftate, fhould be made; with a correfponding fketch, to mark the intended improvements upon. Not a hovel nor a twig fhould be touched, until the artift has ftudied maturely the natural abilities of the place, and has decidedly fixed in his mind, and finally fettled on his plan, the propofed alter

ations:

ations: and even then, let him " dare with caution."

There is a ftriking fimilarity between a neglected fcene in Nature, and a neglected cottage-beauty; and the mode of: improvement is, in either inftance, fimilar. If the face unwashed, and uncombed hair,be confidered as ornamental,-Art is not wanted. If ruftic bloom and native fimplicity be deemed more defirable,-wafh the face, and comb the hair in flowing ringlets, and fuch ornament will be had in its highest perfection. If that elegance of carriage, and gracefulness of deportment, which flow from education and a refined understanding, be thought requifite, Art may be employed in giving grace and elegance; for thus far fhe may go with propriety. But, if the attempt to go farther, if the presume to cut and carve, or difguife the native beautifulness of features with paint and patches, or to hide the loveliness of form with fantastic or formal dreffes, fhe does too much.

this

It would be needlefs to add, that Art may be employed in concealing, or in doing away the deformities of Nature. But, even in this, fhe ought to be cautiously circumfpect: for, throughout, there is more danger of doing too much than too little; and nothing fhould ever be attempted which cannot be performed in a masterly manner.

HUNTING-BOX.

HERE Art has little to do. Hunting may be called the amusement of Nature; and the place appropriated to it ought to be no farther altered from its natural ftate than decency and conveniency require:---With men who live in the prefent age of refinement," a want of decency is a want of fenfe.”

The ftyle throughout fhould be mafculine. If fhrubs be required, they fhould be of the hardier forts; the Box, the Holly, the Lauruftinus. The trees fhould be the Oak and the Beech, which give in Autumn an agreeable variety of foliage, and anticipate, as it were, the feafon of diverfion. A fuite of paddocks fhould be feen from the house; and if a view of diftant covers can be caught, the background will be compleat. The stable, the kennel, and the leaping-bar, are the factitious accompani ments; in the construction of which fimplicity, fub ftantialnefs, and conveniency, fhould prevail.

ORNAMENTED COTTAGE.

NEATNESS and fimplicity ought to mark the tyle of this rational retreat. Oftentation and fhow should be cautiously avoided; even elegance should not be attempted; though it may not be bid, if it offer itself spontaneously.

Nothing,