ON I If CLOSING LAND

296

SECT. VI.

OJ? IN CLOSURES IN PLEASURE GROUNDS.

It may perhaps be considered an invasion on the provinceof taste, for any observations to be introduced on this subjectin this place, but no such object is intended. There is not apurer or more gratifying exercise for taste, than is furnishedto the country gentleman in the general improvement and de-coration of his lands, and particularly of his pleasure grounds.In these, unsightly fences, dead walls, and whatever may in-terrupt the view, are generally avoided. Light ornamentallences of wood or iron, elegantly constructed and painted, areoften used in certain cases, and especially in the near neigh-bourhood of the proprietor’s residence. In others, and at amoderate distance, the sunk fence is adopted, which gives nointerruption to the prospect. Where thorn-liedges are plant-ed, they are trained carefully, yet naturally, and are some-times enriched with eglantine, honeysuckle, convolvulus, orother ornamental shrubs and flowers ; and beech or holly areplanted in proper situations, to afford permanent shelter closeto the ground. In Our northern climate, the garden-wallrequires the subsidiary protection of external plantations ofwood; and at a distance from the house, park fences fre-quently consist of stone-walls, along with thorn-hedges.