We know that many individuals fancy that there is not much to learn on this subject: on the contrary, that "every one knows how he likes to have his place done," and that as it is "all a matter of taste," each one can follow his own.

It is perfectly true that it is " a matter of taste," and this is the very fact which involves in it the mistake which those fall into, who have never given their attention to the study of landscape scenery; not in its native grandeur only, but as combined with, and made subservient to the conventionalities of art. The mistake consists in supposing that persons who have formed a general notion of what they wish done, cannot be assisted in the development and carrying out of their own desires and wishes, by the landscape gar dener.

A little reflection will, nevertheless, satisfy the most skeptical that there is error in such a conclusion. Let any one recall to memory his primitive ideas upon subjects which he has subsequently studied, and in which he has attained proficiency, and compare them with his matured judgment, and he will be at no difficulty in arriving at the conclusion that his first ideas were crude and incomplete, if not positively erroneous. What he had regarded as perfection, or at least as a degree of excellence which would, at the outset, have gratified his every want, will, with his improved acquaintance with the subject, appear to his mind wholly inadequate to his present requirements.

The reason of this is obvious. However alive we may be to the perfection of beauty, whether in nature or art, our perceptive faculties in the exercise, admit of culture which augments our powers of enjoyment. That, therefore, which satisfied him in the first instance, ceases to do so, when, by greater familiarity with the subject under consideration, we become more conscious of the capabilities of our nature, to derive from its higher cultivation, an increased measure of those pleasurable sensations in which our enjoyment, or in other words, the reception of impressions agreeable, whether to our senses or our mental faculties, consists.

Again, let a man travel through miles upon miles of an unreclaimed country, where there is but little diversity of scenery; where no massive rocks arouse the imaginative powers by their sublimity, and where the absence of water leaves nothing for the weary eye of the wayfarer to rest upon, but the arid ruggedness of barren waste. Let him then come to some favored spot, where the hand of man has raised an oasis in this desert. With what rapture is the first glance of the eager eye cast wistfully around, almost doubting whether the welcome sight is visionary or real! Why is this? Because that man's taste has been educated - has learnt to distinguish between the rough features of nature's most rustic garb, and the grateful smile which she puts on under the fostering hand of man. In other words, he has unconsciously learnt part of that endless, but never fruitless lesson, taught by industry, that not only are our wants supplied, but our innocent pleasures are even amply gratified, in return for the diligent use of those means which a merciful providence has placed within the reach of all.

And thus will it ever be found in reference to the study of the beautiful in nature, and the adaptation of her wilds and wildernesses to our present uses. The more we become practically acquainted with the associations of country life, the more shall we become sensible of the numberless instances in which rough untouched grounds admit of being accommodated by the experienced eye, to the immediate wants and requirements of the elegancies of domestic life, and this, very frequently, by simple, although most effective, because judiciously directed means.

The first thing to be done in setting about to lay out grounds of moderate extent, is to take a survey of the whole, and determine upon the situation for the house or villa, assuming that it is not already erected. In doing this, one of the chief considerations should be the aspect, and its situation as regards elevation. This, to be judiciously decided upon, must depend not only upon the greater or less extent of the grounds, and their even surface or the contrary, but also upon the nature of the surrounding localities; for instance, the presence or absence of river, lake, or any considerable expanse of water, or of mountainous, or less elevated scenery in the vicinity. More cannot, therefore, be said upon that point, (within our limited space,) than that due regard should be had to these accidents of situation, so as to take advantage of the surrounding scenery, and so to place the residence that it should command an extensive, and at the same time as varied a view, as may be.

The situation for the house being determined upon, the general plan of the whole ground has to be arranged. Of course, any domestic offices and out-houses, such as stables, wood house, poultry house, etc, should be placed in the rear of the dwelling house, and be concealed from sight by a small plantation of trees, and by the kitchen garden, taking care, in the position of the latter, that a favorable aspect is obtained for it, with a southern exposure as nearly as possible.

The general effect now to be given to the whole, will mainly depend upon two circumstances; the one the distribution of the trees and shrubs, and the other, the nature of the surface. The most favorable ground for landscape gardening, is that which is uneven - presenting an undulating surface, and if with mounds and elevations at some parts, or with a gentle ascent of a considerable portion of it in another direction, so much the better. The distant scenery should be glanced over, with a view to endeavor to bring it in, by opening its most picturesque portions. The removal of a few trees at intervals, will often effect this, taking care in so doing, that such only are cut down, as are not essential to the home scenery - and only removing sufficient to obtain the view, without exposing the privacy of the residence.