BOOKS.

DOWNING'S LANDSCAPE GARDENING.* Wrrnotie travelling with Bacon to Paradise for the origin of gardens, we find them at least coeval with history. The hanging gardens of Babylon, the gardens of the Athenian philosophers and of the Roman magnates, at once suggest themselves to the inquirer as proofs of the early origin of ,gardens and the attention bestowed upon them in ancient times. During the violence and confusion of the darker ages, not much thought or leisure was likely to be given to a thing es easily de- stroyed and so difficult to form with any beyond the common wild plants of the territory. As soon as a people became settled, gardens arose with quiet, commerce, and government, in Italy, France, England, and other countries. It is a significant fact, that not till the seventeenth century- and first perhaps in Holland, did gardening cease to be an exclusively noble pleasure and address itself to moderate means and humble tastes. Of course wherever men indulged in herbs and salads, what we expressively call the kitchen-garden would be found in its germ ; and cultivation for the pot doubtless went on at monasteries, in the worst climates and the most barbarous times. The peasantry of many modern countries have shown a taste for flowers when they could get them. But the pleasure-garden, in its historical origin, was a very expensive affair, gradually decreasing in cost as society advanced, but taking three thousand years to become fairly popularized. The hanging gardens of Babylon seem to have been the most costly things conceivable. The "work and labour" was double or treble that of a modern railway on arches, before the gardening began. If it is true that they contained foreign plants, they furnish the example of a liberal cultivation that after ages very slowly followed, and which might redeem the Assyrian and Babylonian empires from the contempt with which many are disposed to treat them. The terraces and other artificial formations of the Roman gardens were of a less costly fashion than the Babylonian, but still beyond any but imperial or patrician means derived from the spoils of a plundered world. There was less expense, more genius and taste perhaps, in the gardens of the Greeks ; but their statues and porticoes put them beyond the means of the majority of private people. It was the same on the revival of gardens in the middle ages. The ter- races, with their flights of steps, ballustrades, and ornaments, the space required for the proper display of the geometric style of gardening, with its numerous well-trimmed alleys, its rare plants, and the necessity of having everything in "apple-pie order" under such a highly artificial system, required a large fortune. By omitting the ornaments of the ter- race, and at last the terrace itself, a garden was brought more within the reach of a private gentleman. Under Elizabetliand the Stuarts, a squire or a merchant with a taste for gardening could-have his ground laid out and planted with a quaint formality not in its perfection nnpleasing to our eyes, and no doubt beautiful to that formal and somewhat pedantic age.

This style, thus brought down to the gentry class, did not last long without degeneration, perhaps not a century. The truth is, gardening up to that time was an art ingrafted upon another and a very costly art too; it was almost another architecture. The garden belonged to the building, and partook (as it always ought to partake) of its character, becoming in turn imperial, patrician, regal, and noble. In descending to the simple gentleman or wealthy trader, its nature underwent a change: the architectural features—the terraces, the vases, the statues, the foun- tains, and the other adjuncts of the palace or the mansion—were banished, and very properly ; the space was curtailed, and the stately avenues were diminished or lost. These changes introduced incongruity ; the squire's formal garden was less satisfying to the observer's eye or the critical judgment than the noble's pleasaunce. It involved the principle of at- tempt or pretence; although capable of producing a good effect, and a good ensemble too in skilful hands. When the style dropped to common (and then uneducated) traders, its doom was sealed. The regal and noble gardens were no doubt projected by competent hands, who if not men of genius understood their art as a profession ; and the gentry could command the assistance of trained gardeners. When in Hol- land and in England the growth of trade raised up a middle class which associated a garden with a country-house, they could only command the assistance of mechanics, who learned their crafts as a trade; and such views as they had their employers felt no scruple in overruling. Starting upon an incongruous principle, the Dutchman in his lust-/tans, the Cockney in his villa, soon corrupted the artificial style into the ridi- culous. From the period of the Revolution, when it is generally held that the Dutch etyle was first brought into England, (though we believe it to have been introduced earlier,) till the gardening in conceits where shrubs and trees were cut into figures received its deathblow, not half a century elapsed. The monstrosities, however, remained till the end of the last century : middle-aged men rarely change their notions ; perma- nent objects, involving expense to remove and replace, long outlast the fashion that produced them; and "trees cut to statues" may perhaps still be found preserved as curiosities. It is to be remarked that the impetus which effected this revolution in the art of gardening was external, not originating with the artists them- selves. It was shaken by the attacks of the critic and the satirist. From the days of Homer to those of Milton poets had depicted the natural style of gardening in their descriptions; but the circumstances of soci- ety scarcely permitted its introduction. In less than twenty years after the Revolution, Addison and Pope, in the Spectator and Guardran, had held up the conceited style to ridicule ; the credit is awarded

• A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening, with a view to the Improvement or Residences. Comprising Historical Notices and General Principles of the Art. Directions for laying out Grounds and arranging Plantations. the Description and Cultivation of Hardy Trees, Decorative Accompaniments to the House and Grounds, the Formation of Pieces of Artificial Water, Flower-Gardens, tsc. With Remarks on Rural Architecture. By A. Z. Downing, Author of " Designs for COttage Residences," &c. Published by Longman and Co.

(too easily perhaps) to Pope of having practically set an example of the natural style in his villa at Twickenham; there is no question but that in his epistle to Lord Bathurst on the Use of Riches he gave the coup de grace to the artificial style, as he embodied the laws of taste on building and improving in a manner which left little more than details to be added. Kent, the founder of what is now called "landscape-gar- dening," was originally bred a coach-painter, and studied architecture as a profession ; which probably was one cause of his success, since nothing can be so absurd as to design the house without regard to the grounds, though the thing is continually done, the architect and landscape-gar- dener being two distinct professions. Kent was followed by "Capability Brown "; and since his day there has been no lack of professional land- scape-gardeners. It is curious, however, that the art, even when esta- blished, has been more indebted to amateurs than to its professors. The canons and criticisms of Knight, Mason, and Price, did a great deal more to overthrow the stiff and dumpish style of Kent and Brown than the practices of their successors ; who in fact stood up for their master's mode till they were driven out of it.

Taken in a sense as comprehensive as the subject, the rules of land- scape-gardening and improving grounds are contained in Pope's canon, "consult the genius of the place in all ": and places are reducible to three styles,—first, the simply natural, common, or tame; second, the wild or picturesque ; third, the beautiful. With the first not much can be done. A little variety of surface may be given by artificial undulations to a dead flat; trees skilfully grouped or in plantations will further vary the appearance and attract the eye : but nothing in the way of high art, no show-place can be produced, unless, perhaps, by resorting to some modification of the old artificial style; where, however, the architect, sculp- tor, and mechanist, will play their parts as much as the landscape-gar- dener. The picturesque, it is obvious, should not be aimed at unless the character of the place is naturally. wild ; but it is worth considering whether place should not be interpreted so largely as to embrace the neighbourhood as well as the grounds, since accident may often render a spot picturesque though all around it may be of another character. The beautiful is more rarely found in nature than the picturesque, and is more difficult to improve; like the higher efforts in sculpture and painting, it is the test of genius—" a thing to wonder at—perhaps a Stow."

All this, it may be said, is easily written ; but these divisions, or more specific rules of a general kind, will not enable a person to acquire or understand the art. Undoubtedly, to practise landscape-gardening with success, or to apply its rules so as to criticize readily, cannot be at- tained by merely reading a book. In every pursuit, exercise is all in all : a language cannot be learned by committing the rules of grammar to memory, or music by mastering the elementary directions of a "tutor." To attain even mediocrity in the fine arts, a certain aptitude is also neces- sary. Some people cannot realize that primary rule in all the arts, that each part should contribute to form a whole—nay, cannot even distin- guish the whole so as to prefer it, when they see it. With natural incapa- city there is little-to be done. Average taste and ability may readily acquire enough knowledge to form a general judgment and look at improved or natural landscapes with discriminating eves. Certain classes of trees more properly belong to one style of landscape than another ; firs and old gnarled trees for instance, being more appropriate to the picturesque, while round-headed trees are available generally. Trees themselves are divided into classes : 1. round-headed trees; 2. oblong or pyramidal trees ; 3. spiry-topped trees ; 4. drooping trees. Groups, the great dis- tinctive feature of modern landscape-gardening, in opposition to the avenues of the old style, are likewise subject to laws. As a general rule, trees of an entirely opposite class should not be planted in the same group ; variety is best attained by trees of a similar class but of different species. This rule, however, is subject to many exceptions, where con- trast is aimed at. Different groups may each consist of different classes of trees, but they should be so connected by shrubs or intervening trees as to combine into a whole, producing unity without uniformity; while relief and variety is seen as soon as the eye is at leisure to look for them. Colours, whether of foliage or flowers, are subject to an analogous rule ; and so indeed are all the leading points of the art, from the merest gar- den to the extensive grounds or domain that form a conspicuous feature in a district. To make a skilful practitioner or an accomplished critic, will require, as we have just said, aptitude, study, observation, and prac- tice. A knowledge of the elements will be found a source of pleasure and interest to all persons of education. Many pursuits can only be exercised in particular districts, expensive to reach, and not always very agreeable to perambulate,—as marshes. The connoisseur in landscape- gardening will always find something to exercise his attention pleasantly, from the effort at a clump or shrubbery in the houses of the suburbs, or a single tree in the crowded city, to the public park or the most exten- sive landscape. Such persons as wish to acquire this general knowledge, or to study the art more deeply, can advantageously consult Mr. Downing's Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening. It is indeed addressed to an American public; and the examples, many of the details in the section devoted to particular species of trees, and various remarks on the character of ground and natural scenery, of course apply to Ame- rica. At the same time, this rather creates variety and interest than Produces confusion; while the general principles are the same applied to either country, and in fact are mostly derived from English writers. The extent of Mr. Downing's treatise is also an advantage; embracing as it does in one volume, not only the general laws of landscape-gaidening, with practical directions for the treatment of ground, the formation of artificial lakes, and the laying out of roads and walks, but the qualities and effects of the best ornamental trees, deciduous as well as evergreen, climb- ing and creeping plants and shrubs, landscape or rural architecture, such " embellishments' as vases, statues, and so forth,.with some hints on flower-gardens. A source of interest is also found in the incidental p c- tares it furnishes of American scenery, and American taste, or the want

of it so frequently displayed in that country. We get more home views of the land ; for the architect and landscape-gardener are continually

carried into out-of-the-way places, which the tourist never visits, even if he had the requisite knowledge to observe them critically. The foliose..

ing description presents a landscape such as the traveller rarely gives us.

" The seat of the Wadsworth family at Genesee is the finest in the interior of the State of New York. Nothing, indeed, can well be more magnificent than the

meadow park at Genesee. It is more than a thousand acres in extent, lying on each side of the Genesee river; and is filled with thousands of the noblest oaks and elms, many of which, but more especially the oaks, are such trees as we see in the pictures of Claude or our own Durand ; richly developed, their trunks and branches grand and majestic, their heads full of breadth and grandeur of outline. These oaks, distributed over a nearly level surface, with the trees disposed either singly or in the finest groups, as if most tastefully planted centuries ago, are solely the work of nature; and yet so entirely is the whole like the grandest planted park, that it is difficult to believe that all is not the work of some mast of art, and intended for the accompaniment of a magnificent residence. Some of the trees are five or six hundred years old."

But the great source of general interest in this volume is in the views and description of the places and mansions in the older States, from Massachusetts to Philadelphia, and the political reflections they suggest.

We have seen that in the Old World taste and ornamental gardening de.- scended, and very slowly, from the highest classes to the middle. It

would be singular if this process should be reversed in the New World, and art, after being checked by the Revolution, rise upwards with tire progress of educated wealth and taste, forming an aristocracy at least in practice and opinion, in the older States, by dint of architecture, horti- culture, and landscape-gardening. It is impossible to look at some of the mansions in this book, if they are presented with the common degree of artistical truth and not recognize germs of a patrician taste, which, however it may be concealed in obedience to necessity, can have small sympathy with the "rascal rabble" or the genuine Yankee. Even the

smallest cottages here cannot but be indirectly favourable to an exclu- sive feeling, not from any proud or contemptuous spirit, but simply because indiscriminate admission would not only mar the character of the scene but be exceedingly likely to involve its injury or destruction.

Some of the descriptions and the names of the owners remind one that there was a large body of Tories or Loyalists in America, who although

they submitted to the Revolution did not like it ; and this feeling may be secretly transmitted through good families. Some forty years since, Washington Irving in his earliest work, Salmagundi, sketched the clue in his Cockloft family, whose head he describes in these terms.

"There are but two classes of people who are thrown out of the reach of his hospitality, and these are Frenchmen and Democrats. The old gentleman con- siders it treason against the majesty of good-breeding to speak to any visitor with his hat on ; but the moment a Democrat enters his door, he forthwith bids his man Pompey bring his hat, puts it on his head, and salutes him with an ap- palling Well, Sir, what do you want with me?' "He has a profound contempt for Frenchmen, and firmly believes that they eat nothing but frogs and soup-rnaigre in their own country, This unlucky prejudice

is.partly owing to my great aunt Pamela having been, many years ago, run away

with by a French Count, who turned out to be the son of ateneration of barbers ; and partly to a little vivid spark of Toryism which burns in a secret corner of his heart. He was a loyal subject of the Crown ; has hardly yet recovered the shock of Independence; and, though he does not care to own it, always does honour to his Majesty's birthday, by inviting a few Cavaliers like himself to dinner, and gracing his table with more than ordinaty festivity. If by chance the Revolution is mentioned before him, my cousin shakes his head; and you may see, if you take good note, a larking smile of contempt in the corner of his eye, which marks a decided disapprobation of the sound. He once, in the fulness of his heart, observed to me that green peas were a month later than they were under the old Government. But the most eccentric manifestation of loyalty he ever gave, was making a voyage to Halifax for no other reason under heaven but to hear his Majesty prayed for in church, as he used to be here formerly. This he never could fairly be brought to acknowledge; but it is certain fact, I assure you.'' The originals of the Cocklolls were generally said to be the Living. stons of New York. Their places are thus described by Mr. Downing.

"On the Hudson, the show-place of the last age was the still interesting Cler- mont, then the residence of Chancellor Livingston. Its level or gently undulating lawn, four or five miles in length, the rich native woods, and the long vistas of

planted avenues, added to its fine water view, rendered this a noble place. The mansion, the green-houses, and the gardens, show something of the French taste in

design; which Mr. Livingston's residence abroad, at the time when that mode was popular, no doubt led him to adopt. The finest yellow locusts in America are now standing in the pleasure-grounds here, and the gardens contain many speci- mens of fruit-trees the first of their sorts introduced into the Union."

"The Manor of Livingston, the seat of Mrs. Mary Livingston, is seven miles East of the city of Hudson. The mansion stands in the midst of a fine park; rising gradually from the level of a rich inland country, and commanding pros- pects for sixty miles around. The park is perhaps the most remarkable in Ame- rica for the noble simplicity of its character and the perfect order in which it is kept. The turf is everywhere short and velvet-like the gravel-roads scrupu- lously firm and smooth, and near the house are the largest and most superb ever- greens. The mansion is one of the chastest specimens of the Grecian style, and there is an air of great dignity about the whole demesne."

"Montgomery Place, the residence of Mrs. Edward Livingston, which is alao situated on the Hudson near Barrytown, deserves a more extended notice than our present limits allow; for it is, as a whole, nowhere surpassed in America in point of location, natural beauty, or the landscape-gardening charms which it ex- hibits.

"It is one of our oldest improved country-seats, having been originally the residence of General Montgomery, the hero of Quebec. On the death of his widovr,

it passed into the hands of her brother, Edward Livingston, Esq., the late Ministe; to France, and up to the present moment has always received the most tasteful and judicious treatment-

" The lover of the expressive in nature or the beautiful in art will find here innumerable subjects for his study. The natural scenery in many portions ap- proaches the character of grandeur; and the foreground of rich woods and lawns; stretching out on all sides of the mountain, completes a home landscape of digni- fied and elegant seclusion, rarely surpassed in any country.

"Among the fine features of this estate are the wilderness, a richly wooded and highly picturesque valley, filled with the richest growth of trees, and threaded

with dark, intricate, and mazy walks, along which are placed a variety of rustic seats. This valley is musical with the sound of waterfalls, of which there are several fine ones in the bold impetuous stream which finds its course through the

lower part of the wilderness. Near the further end of the valley is a beautiful lake, half of which lies cool and dark under the shadow of tall trees, while the other half gleams in the open sunlight. "In a part of the lawn near the house, yet so surrounded by u dark setting of trees and shrabe as to form a rich picture by itself, is one of the most perfect flower-gardens in the country, laid out in the Arabesque manner, and glowing with masses of the gayest colours, each bed being composed wholly of a single hue. A large conservatory, an exotic garden, an arboretum, &c., are among the features of interest in this admirable residence. Including a drive through a fine bit of natural wood Smith of the mansion, there are live miles of highly varied and picturesque private roads and walks through the pleasure-grounds of Mont- gomery Place." The family of the Van Rensselaers is the only one in America, we think, that has a patrimonial title ; the eldest son being called "the patroon." They have some seats too ; but the "free and enlightened" are doing their best to diminish their number and keeping ; for it is chiefly if not solely against the Rensselaers, we believe, that the Anti- rent agitation is set up. As yet without much effect, according to this description. " Beaverwyck, a little North of Albany, on the opposite bank of the river, is the zest of Wm. P. Van Rensselaer, Esq. The whole estate is ten or twelve miles square, including the village of Bath on the river shore, and a large farming dis- trict. The home residence embraces several hundred acres, with a large level lawn, bordered by highly varied surface of hill and dale. The mansion, one of the first class, is newly erected. from the plans of Mr. Diaper; and in its interior— its hall with mosaic floor of polished woods, its marble staircase, frescoed apart- ments, and spacious adjoining conservatory—is perhaps the most splendid in the Iinion. The grounds are yet newly laid out, but with much judgment; and six or seven miles of winding gravelled roads and walks have been formed—their "boundaries ncw leading over level meadows, and now winding through woody dells. The drives thus afforded are almost unrivalled in extent and variety, and give the stranger or guest an opportunity of seeing the near and distant views to use best advantage."

We could easily extend our extracts by descriptions of places of every kind, down to the mere house only raised above a common suburban villa by the style of the building and the taste of the grounds. We will, however, content ourselves with one passage of a more significant kind, because it seems to be of a general or joint stock character. The place, in the neighbourhood of Boston, is the result of several minds, not of one.

"The whole of this neighbourhood of Brookline is a kind of landscape garden; and there is nothing in America, of the sort, so inexpressibly charming as the lanes which lead from one cottage or villa to another. No animals are allowed to ran at large; and the open gates, with tempting vistas and glimpses under the pendent boughs, give it quite an Arcadian air of rural freedom and enjoyment. These lanes are clothed with a profusion of trees and wild shrubbery, often almost to the carriage-tracks, and curve and wind about in a manner quite bewildering to the stranger who attempts to thread them alone; and there are more hints here for the lover of the picturesque in lanes than we ever saw assembled together in 60 small a compass.

The principal places are illustrated by plates or wood-cuts • the latter of which are creditable to the American graver. The rules of landscape- gardening and many of the detailed hints are also enforced by being pre- sented to the eye; as are specimens of trees, or designs for particular subjects.