I repeat that in landscape arrangements alone physical nature susceptible of exaltation, , therefore, her susceptibility of improvement at point, was mystery I unable to solve My own thoughts had rested idea primitive intention of nature so arranged the earth's surface as fulfilled at all points man's sense of perfection beautiful, the sublime, or the picturesque; but primitive intention frustrated known geological disturbances -- disturbances of form and color -- grouping, correction or allaying lies the soul of art The force idea was much weakened, however, necessity which it involved of considering the disturbances abnormal and unadapted to any purpose Ellison who suggested were prognostic of death He thus explained: -- Admit the earthly immortality of man the first intention then the primitive arrangement earth's surface adapted blissful estate, as not existent but designed The disturbances were the preparations subsequently conceived deathful condition

"Now," said my friend, "what we regard as exaltation landscape really such, as respects only the moral or human point of view Each alteration natural scenery may possibly effect blemish picture, suppose this picture viewed at large -- in mass -- from some point distant earth's surface, although not beyond the limits atmosphere easily understood that what might improve closely scrutinized detail, may same time injure general or more distantly observed effect class of beings, human once, but now invisible to humanity, , from afar, our disorder may seem order -- our unpicturesqueness picturesque, in word, the earth-angels, for whose scrutiny more especially than our own, and for whose death -- refined appreciation beautiful, may set in array by God the wide landscape-gardens hemispheres "

course of discussion, my friend quoted some passages from writer on landscape-gardening who supposed well treated his theme:

" properly but two styles of landscape-gardening, the natural artificial One seeks to recall the original beauty country, by adapting its means surrounding scenery, cultivating trees in harmony hills or plain neighboring land; detecting and bringing into practice those nice relations of size, proportion, and color which, hid common observer, are revealed everywhere experienced student of nature The result natural style of gardening, is seen rather absence of all defects and incongruities -- prevalence of healthy harmony and order -- than creation of any special wonders or miracles The artificial style has varieties as different tastes to gratify It has certain general various styles of building the stately avenues and retirements of Versailles; Italian terraces; and various mixed old English style, which bears some domestic Gothic or English Elizabethan architecture Whatever said against the abuses artificial landscape -- gardening, mixture of pure art in garden scene adds great beauty partly pleasing eye, show of order and design, and partly moral terrace, with an old moss -- covered balustrade, calls up at once eye the fair forms passed there in other days The slightest exhibition of art is an evidence of care and human interest "

"From what already observed," said Ellison, " understand that I reject the idea, here expressed, of recalling the original beauty country The original beauty is never so great introduced , every thing depends selection of spot with capabilities said about detecting and bringing into practice nice relations of size, proportion, and color, is one mere vaguenesses of speech which serve to veil inaccuracy of thought The phrase quoted may mean any thing, or nothing, and guides in no degree true result natural style of gardening is seen rather absence of all defects and incongruities than creation of any special wonders or miracles, is proposition better suited grovelling apprehension herd than fervid dreams man of genius The negative merit suggested appertains hobbling criticism which, in letters, would elevate Addison into apotheosis In truth, while that virtue which consists mere avoidance of vice appeals directly understanding, and can thus be circumscribed in rule, the loftier virtue, which flames in creation, apprehended in its results alone Rule applies but merits of denial -- excellencies which refrain Beyond these, the critical art can but suggest instructed to build "Cato," but in vain told how to conceive Parthenon or an "Inferno " The thing done, however; the wonder accomplished; capacity for apprehension becomes universal The sophists negative school who, through inability to create, have scoffed at creation, are now found the loudest in applause What, in its chrysalis condition of principle, affronted their demure reason, never fails, in its maturity of accomplishment, to extort admiration from their instinct of beauty

"The author's observations artificial style," continued Ellison, "are less objectionable mixture of pure art in garden scene adds great beauty just; as also reference sense of human interest The principle expressed is incontrovertible -- but something beyond it an object in keeping principle -- an object unattainable means ordinarily possessed by individuals, yet which, if attained, would lend charm landscape-garden far surpassing that which sense of merely human interest could bestow poet, having very unusual pecuniary resources, might, while retaining the necessary idea of art or culture, or, as our author expresses it, of interest, so imbue his designs at once with extent and novelty of beauty, convey the sentiment of spiritual interference seen that, in bringing about such result, he secures all the advantages of interest or design, while relieving his work harshness or technicality worldly art most rugged of wildernesses -- most savage scenes of pure nature -- apparent the art of creator; yet this art is apparent to reflection only; in no respect has it the obvious force of feeling Now suppose this sense Almighty design one step depressed -- brought into something like harmony or consistency sense of human art -- an intermedium two: -- imagine, for example, landscape whose combined vastness and definitiveness -- whose united beauty, magnificence, and strangeness, shall convey the idea of care, or culture, or superintendence, of beings superior, yet akin to humanity -- then the sentiment of interest is preserved, while the art intervolved is made to assume the air of an intermediate or secondary nature -- nature not God, nor an emanation from God, but which still is nature sense handiwork angels that hover between man and God "

in devoting his enormous wealth embodiment of vision such -- free exercise open air ensured personal superintendence plans -- unceasing object which these plans afforded -- high spirituality object -- contempt of ambition which it enabled him truly -- perennial springs it gratified, without possibility of satiating, that one master passion soul, the thirst for beauty, above all, sympathy of woman, not unwomanly, whose loveliness and love enveloped his existence purple atmosphere of Paradise, that Ellison thought , and found, exemption ordinary cares of humanity, with far greater amount of positive happiness than ever glowed rapt day-dreams of De Stael

I despair of conveying reader any distinct conception marvels which my friend did actually accomplish to describe, but am disheartened difficulty of description, and hesitate between detail and generality Perhaps the better course to unite the two in their extremes

Mr Ellison's first step regarded, , the choice of locality, and scarcely had he commenced thinking point, luxuriant nature Pacific Islands arrested his attention , he had made up his mind for voyage South Seas, when night's reflection induced him to abandon the idea "Were I misanthropic," , "such locale would suit me The thoroughness insulation and seclusion, difficulty of ingress and egress, would case be the charm of charms; but not Timon the composure but not the depression of solitude There must remain with me certain control over the extent and duration repose frequent hours need, too, the sympathy poetic in what Let me seek, then, spot not far from populous city -- whose vicinity, also, will best enable me to execute my plans "

In search of suitable place so situated, Ellison travelled for several years, and permitted to accompany him thousand spots enraptured he rejected without hesitation, for reasons which satisfied me, end, that right We came to an elevated table-land of wonderful fertility and beauty, affording panoramic prospect very little less in extent than that of Aetna, and, in Ellison's opinion as my own, surpassing the far-famed view mountain in all the true elements picturesque