in Gardening, a kind of grove of large trees, in a spacious garden, in which the walks are commonly made either to intersect each other in angles, or have the appearance of meanders and labyrinths.

Wildernesses (says Mr Miller) should always be proportioned to the extent of the gardens in which they are made; for it is very ridiculous to see a large wilderness planted with tall trees in a small spot of ground; and, on the other hand, nothing can be more absurd than to see little paltry squares, or quarters of wilderness-work, in a magnificent large garden. As to the situation of wildernesses, they should never be placed too near the habitation, nor so as to obstruct any distant prospect of the country, there being nothing so agreeable as an unconfined prospect; but where, from the situation of the place, the light is confined within the limits of the garden, nothing can so agreeably terminate the prospect as a beautiful scene of the various kinds of trees judiciously planted; and if it is so contrived that the termination is planted circularly, with the concave towards the sight, it will have a much better effect than if it end in straight lines or angles. The plants should always be adapted to the size of the plantation; for it is very absurd for tall trees to be planted in the small squares of a little garden; and in large designs small shrubs will have a mean appearance. It should also be observed never to plant evergreens amongst deciduous trees; but always to place the evergreens in a wilderness in a separate part by themselves, and that chiefly in sight.

As to the walks, those that have the appearance of meanders, where the eye cannot discover more than twenty or thirty yards in length, are generally preferable to all others, and these should now and then lead into an open circular piece of grass; in the centre of which may be placed either an obelisk, statue, or fountain; and if in the middle of the wilderness there be contrived a large opening, in the centre of which may be erected a dome or banqueting house, surrounded with a green plot of grass, it will be a considerable addition to the beauty of the whole. From the sides of the walks and openings, the trees should rise gradually one above another to the middle of the quarters; where should always be planted the largest growing trees, so that the heads of all the trees may appear to view, while their stems will be hid from the sight. Thus, in those parts which are planted with deciduous trees, roses, honeyfuckles, spiraea frutex, and other kinds of low flowering shrubs, may be planted next the walks and openings; and at their feet, near the sides of the walks, may be planted primroses, violets, daffodils, &c. not in a straight line, but so as to appear accidental, as in a natural wood. Behind the first row of shrubs should be planted syringas, althea frutex, mezereons, and other flowering shrubs of a middle growth; and these may be backed with many other sorts of trees rising gradually to the middle of the quarters.

The part planted with evergreens may be disposed in the following manner, viz. in the first line next the great walks may be placed the laurustinus, boxes, spurge laurel, juniper, savin, and other dwarf evergreens. Behind these may be placed laurels, hollies, arbutuses, and other evergreens of a larger growth. Next to these may be planted alaternunes, phyllireas, yews, cyppresses, Virginian cedars, and other trees of the same growth; behind these may be planted Norway and silver firs, the true pine, and other sorts of the fir growth; and in the middle should be planted Scotch pines, pinaster, and other sorts of the larger growing evergreens; evergreens; which will afford a most delightful prospect if the different shades of the greens are curiously intermixed.

But beside the grand walks and openings (which should always be laid with turf, and kept well mowed), there should be some smaller serpentine walks through the middle of the quarters, where persons may retire for privacy; and by the sides of these private walks may also be scattered some wood-flowers and plants; which, if artfully planted, will have a very good effect.

In the general design of these wildernesses, there should not be a studied and stiff correspondency between the several parts; for the greater diversity there is in the distribution of them, the more pleasure they will afford.