Eminence

History

Fig. 1, Victor de Grailly, The Tomb at Mount Vernon, c. 1840–50.

The term eminence, indicating an elevated rise or hill, functioned in landscape design as a site for monuments, dwellings, and other structures, and as a topographic feature in the landscape. While the terms “mound” and “mount” were also used to describe a raised portion of a garden, an eminence generally denoted a natural feature that was larger in scale.

Fig. 2, Joseph Steward, The Reverend Eleazar Wheelock (1711–1779), 1st President of Dartmouth College (1769–1779), 1793–1796.

As a building platform for a dwelling or a garden structure, an eminence created the opportunity to view the surrounding landscape from the garden. This raised feature also enhanced the prominence of any structure on it, thus making it visible from a distance (see Prospect and View). Both effects were noted by visitors to Mount Vernon, which William Russell Birch in 1808 described as “founded upon a rocky eminence, a dignified height on the Potomac” [Fig. 1]. Garden structures, such as the tower (proposed in 1831) at Mount Auburn Cemetery in Cambridge, Massachusetts, the rustic pavilion recommended by A. J. Downing (1848), and the fanciful building depicted in the 1790s by Joseph Steward at Dartmouth College [Fig. 2], were placed on eminences to provide a retreat in which to enjoy the prospect.

Fig. 3, John Caspar Wild, Fairmount Waterworks, 1838.

In addition to their enhanced visual and, by extension, social status, properties built on eminences were more easily defensible in America’s frontier settings and took advantage of cooling breezes in warmer climates. Structures on eminences also offered visual command of an estate, as noted in the 1817 advertisement of a farm in Culpeper County, Virginia. Such surveillance was a vital part of maintaining the plantation labor system of large slave populations. In urban settings, town planners sited key monuments on eminences, making them focal points in the townscape and thus accentuating seats of power. For example, Francis Nicholson in 1694 placed the Anglican church and the colonial Capitol on eminences in his town plan of Annapolis, MD, and Pierre-Charles L’Enfant’s plan for Washington, D.C., was predicated upon an elevated setting for the capitol building.

As a topographical landscape feature, the eminence served as a focal point, a viewing platform, and a backdrop, like the “parklike eminences” in Cincinnati, Ohio, described by Harriet Martineau in 1835. At Mount Auburn Cemetery, the eminence rising 125 feet above the Charles River was described in 1831 by H.A.S. Dearborn as “a prominent and imposing feature in the landscape, of which it becomes the centre.” An eminence, such as the one described by Rev. Manasseh Cutler at Gray’s Tavern in Philadelphia in 1787, also offered a gradual slope against which to plant a variety of flowers and shrubs. An eminence was also significant in American gardens for establishing the relationship of the garden to the surrounding landscape and for capitalizing on views of broad rivers, valleys, and other features of the “New World” setting. Sites on riverbank eminences, such as that at Fairmount Park in Philadelphia depicted in 1838, were particularly valued for their views of water [Fig. 3].

—Elizabeth Kryder-Reid

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Texts

Usage

• Cutler, Rev. Manasseh, June 30, 1787, describing the estate of Charles Wyllys Elliott, near Hartford, CT (1987: 1:211)

“I also called on my classmate, Colonel Hezekiah Wyllys. He lives with his father, Colonel Wyllys, the Secretary of the State, in an elegant seat just outside the city, situated on a high eminence which overlooks the city and commands a most enchanting prospect of the river, meandering through rich meadows and fertile fields, for ten or fifteen miles. The landscape from this seat far exceeds any I have ever seen in any part of the country.”

• Cutler, Rev. Manasseh, July 14, 1787, describing Gray’s Tavern, Philadelphia, PA (1987: 1:276)

“We at length came to a considerable eminence, which was adorned with an infinite variety of beds of flowers and artificial groves of flowering shrubs.”

• Enys, Lt. John, February 12, 1788, describing Mount Vernon, plantation of George Washington, Fairfax County, VA (Cometti, ed., 1976: 246)

“From hence is one of the most delightfull Prospects I ever beheld. It had the Command of a View each way of some Miles up and down the River

Potowmack whch [sic] is here about two Miles broad On which during the Summer there are constantly ships moving. The Hills arrownd it are coverd with plantations some of which have Elegant houses standing on them all of which being situated on Eminences form very beautifull Objects for each other.”

• Anonymous, October 2, 1798, describing in the Virginia Herald a property for sale in Spotsylvania County, VA (Colonial Williambsurg Foundation; hereafter CWF)

“The improvements on it are, a comfortable dwelling house, with all necessary out houses, situated on a beautiful eminence, commanding a view of the greater part of the lower ground.”

• La Rochefoucauld Liancourt, François-Alexandre-Frédéric, duc de, 1799, describing The Woodlands, seat of William Hamilton, near Philadelphia, PA (quoted in Madsen 1988: B3)

“You pass the Schuylkill at Gray’s-Ferry, the road to which runs below Woodlands, the seat of Mr. William Hamilton: it stands high, and is seen upon an eminence from the opposite side of the river.”

• Anonymous, March 27, 1803, describing in the Virginia Herald a property for sale in Westmoreland, VA (CWF)

“FOR SALE, the Tract of Land, whereon I reside . . . stand on an eminence, commanding a beautiful and extensive view of the Rappahannock and Potomac rivers.”

• Birch, William Russell, 1808, describing Mount Vernon, plantation of George Washington, Fairfax County, VA (n.p.)

“MOUNT VERNON,

“This hallowed mansion is founded upon a rocky eminence, a dignified height on the Potomac. . . . The additions of a piazza to the water front, and of a drawing room, are proofs of the legitimacy of the General’s taste.”

• Anonymous, December 24, 1817, describing in the Virginia Herald a property for sale in Culpeper County, VA (CWF)

“For sale . . . the dwelling house stands on an eminence, having in view the whole farm.”

• Bryant, William Cullen, August 25, 1821, in a letter to his wife, Frances F. Bryant, describing the Vale, estate of Theodore Lyman, Waltham, MA (1975: 108–9)

“He took me to the seat of Mr. Lyman. . . . It is a perfect paradise. . . . A hard rolled walk, by the side of a brick wall . . . led us to a grove of young forest trees on the top of [an] eminence in the midst of which was a Chinese temple.”

Fig. 4, Thomas Doughty, View of the Fairmount Waterworks, Philadelphia, from the Opposite Side of the Schuylkill River, c. 1824-26.

• Sheldon, John P., 10 December 1825, describing Fairmount Waterworks, Philadelphia, PA (quoted in Gibson 1988: 5)

“The celebrated works on the Schuylkill, by which the water of the river is raised to the top of an eminence which is elevated far above any house in the city, are beyond all praise.” [Fig. 4]

• Trollope, Frances Milton, 1830, describing Baltimore, MD (1832: 1:290)

“The noble column erected to the memory of Washington, and the Catholic Cathedral, with its beautiful dome, being built on a commanding eminence, are seen at a great distance.”

• Dearborn, H.A.S., September 30, 1831, describing Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA (quoted in Ward 1831: 46)

“It has been ascertained that the most lofty eminence is one hundred and twenty-five feet above Charles river, which gracefully sweeps round its gently sloping base; and, when crowned by the proposed tower, will become a most interesting place of resort, as commanding an extensive panoramic view of that richly variegated region of magnificent scenery, embraced within the far distant heights which encircle the metropolis, and the waves of the ocean, while it will present a prominent and imposing feature in the landscape, of which it becomes the centre.”

• Martineau, Harriet, 1835, describing a garden in Cincinnati, OH (1838: 2:51)

“The proprietor has a passion for gardening, and his ruling taste seems likely to be a blessing to the city. He employs four gardeners, and toils in his grounds with his own hands. His garden is on a terrace which overlooks the canal, and the most parklike eminences form the background of the view. Between the garden and the hills extend his vineyards, from the produce of which he has succeeded in making twelve kinds of wine, some of which are highly praised by good judges.”

• Hovey, C. M., April 1842, “Notes made during a Visit to New York, Philadelphia, Baltimore, &c.,” describing the U.S. Capitol, Washington, DC (Magazine of Horticulture 8: 127)

“The Grounds of the Capitol, which should judge contain about twenty acres, are situated upon an eminence which commands a fine view of the surrounding country, and are laid out with broad avenues of various widths, which intersect one another, and lead to the steps of the Capitol.”

• Trego, Charles, 1843, describing Harrisburg, PA (1843: 232)

“The public buildings belonging to the State occupy a commanding position on an eminence in the northern part of the town.”

Fig. 5, James Smillie and E.G. Dunnel (engraver), “View from Mount Auburn, Mount Auburn Cemetery,” in Cornelia W. Walter, Mount Auburn Illustrated ([1847] 1850), opp. p. 112.

• Cleaveland, Nehemiah, 1847, describing Mount Auburn Cemetery, Cambridge, MA (1847: 112)

“THE highest eminence of the cemetery ground is denominated Mount Auburn; and from this elevation the view has been drawn which appears in the present work. In the summer-season, when the thick trees have put on their full array, and appear in all their beauty, the panorama is nearly lost to the view of the spectator; but in the autumn of the year, a scene is presented from this high land, which is worthy of the poet or the painter.” [Fig. 5]

• Loudon, J. C., 1850, describing Monticello, plantation of Thomas Jefferson, Charlottesville, VA (Loudon 1850: 331)

“849. Monticello, the seat of Jefferson, is situated on the summit of an eminence commanding extensive prospects on all sides.”

• Horticola [pseud.], March 1852, “Notes on Gardens and Country Seats Near Boston,” describing Oakley Place, seat of William Pratt, Boston, MA (Horticulturist 7: 127)

“The mansion house is approached by a noble avenue of trees, and stands on the brow of an eminence overlooking the whole country around.”

• Watson, John Fanning, 1857, describing the residence of Edward Shippen, Philadelphia, PA (1:368)

“It was for many years after its construction beautifully situated, and surrounded with rural beauty, being originally on a small eminence, with a row of tall yellow pines in its rear, a full orchard of best fruit trees close by, overlooking the rising city beyond the Dock creek, and having on its front view a beautiful green lawn, gently sloping to the then pleasant Dock creek and Drawbridge, and the whole prospect unobstructed to the Delaware and the Jersey shore.”

Citations

• Johnson, Samuel, 1755, A Dictionary of the English Language (1:n.p.)

“E’MINENCE. n.s. [eminentia, Latin.]

“E’MINENCY.

“1. Loftiness; height. . . .

“4. A place where one is exposed to general notice.”

• M’Mahon, Bernard, 1806, The American Gardener’s Calendar (p. 59)

“In other parts are sometimes discovered eminences, or rising grounds, as a high terrace, mount, steep declivity, or other eminence, ornamented with curious trees and shrubs, with walks leading under the shade of trees, by easy ascents to the summit, where is presented to the view, an extensive prospect of the adjacent fields, buildings, hamlets, and country around, and likewise affording a fresh and cooling air in summer.”

• Parmentier, André, 1828, “The Art of Landscape Gardening” (Fessenden 1828: 186)

“If the house is placed on an eminence or side-hill, the prospect will be much more beautiful if you can enjoy the view of water.”

• Webster, Noah, 1828, An American Dictionary of the English Language (n.p.)

“EM’INENCE, EM’INENCY, n. [L. eminentia, from eminens, emineo, to stand or show itself above; e and minor, to threaten, that is, to stand or push forward. . . .]

“1. Elevation, highth [sic], in a literal sense; but usually, a rising ground; a hill of moderate elevation above the adjacent ground.

“The temple of honor ought to be seated on an eminence. Burke.”

• Teschemacher, James E., November 1, 1835, “On Horticultural Architecture” (Horticultural Register 1: 412)

“In forming ascents to rising grounds, where prospects are to be enjoyed, there is some art required to make the attainment of the elevation easy; this is done by cutting low steps at considerable intervals, say ten or twenty feet, according to the nature of the ground. . . . Such paths to eminences are preferable when they wind round and gradually reach the summit.”

• Anonymous, April 1, 1837, “Landscape Gardening” (Horticultural Register 3: 129–30)

“Architectural and other ornaments may be introduced, according to the means of the proprietor. When properly distributed they add much to the effect. Seats and arbors should be placed at points affording interesting views, alcoves and rotundas on eminences, and hermitages in secluded places. . . .

“If it [the house] is situated on an eminence, the back as well as front view may be exhibited to great advantage, and the effect will be heightened if a view of water can be then enjoyed. Limited prospects and neighboring buildings not worthy of notice, may be concealed by plantations of trees. The appearance of distance may be increased by planting trees of dark green and large dense foliage on the foreground, and those of light and airy foliage in the distance; this will produce the same effect as shades in a landscape picture.”

• Watterston, George, May 1844, “Landscape Gardening” (p. 310)

“Repton conceives that the difference between painting and gardening consists in the following particulars:

“‘Thirdly. The view from an eminence down a steep hill is not to be represented in painting, although it is often one of the most pleasing circumstances of natural landscape.’”

Fig. 6, Anonymous, “An octagonal Rustic Pavilion for an eminence,” one of four “Designs for Rustic Buildings,” Horticulturist, Vol. 2, No. 8 (February 1848), pl. opp. p. 345, fig. 2.

• Downing, A. J., February 1848, “Hints and Designs for Rustic Buildings” (Horticulturist 2: 364)

“As a contribution to the stock of ideas of the novice in rustic work, we have offered a few sketches in our Frontispiece of this month—all of which may be improved upon by the adept in rustic buildings.

“Fig. 2, is an octagonal RUSTIC PAVILION for an eminence.” [Fig. 6]

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Images

Inscribed

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  William Bartram, “Plan of the Ancient Chunky-Yard,” in “Observations on the Creek and Cherokee Indians” (1789), from Transactions of the American Ethnological Society, vol. 3, part 1 (1853), p. 52, fig. 2.

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  William Russell Birch, “Mount Vernon, Virginia, the Seat of the late Genl. G. Washington,” 1808, in William Russell Birch and Emily Cooperman, The Country Seats of the United States (2009), p. 55, pl. 7.

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  Anonymous, “An octagonal Rustic Pavilion for an eminence,” one of four “Designs for Rustic Buildings,” Horticulturist, Vol. 2, No. 8 (February 1848), pl. opp. p. 345, fig. 2.

Associated

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  Robert King, Detail of Analostan Island from A Map of the City of Washington, 1818.

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  Thomas Doughty, View of the Fairmount Waterworks, Philadelphia, from the Opposite Side of the Schuylkill River, c. 1824-26.

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  John Caspar Wild, Fairmount Waterworks, 1838.

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  Victor de Grailly, The Tomb at Mount Vernon, c. 1840–50.

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  James Smillie (artist), Robert Hinshelwood (engraver), “Lawn-Girt Hill,” in Nehemiah Cleaveland, Green-wood Illustrated, in highly finished line engraving, from drawings taken on the spot / by James Smillie; with descriptive notices by Nehemiah Cleaveland (1847), opp. p. 61.

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  Anonymous, “A Rustic Alcove,” in A. J. Downing, ed. Horticulturist 2, no. 8 (February 1848): pl. opp. p. 345, fig. 4.

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  Anonymous, “Plan of a Mansion Residence, laid out in the natural style,” in A. J. Downing, A Treatise on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening (1849), p. 115, fig. 25.

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  Jenny Emily Snow, attr., Fairmount Park Waterworks, c. 1850.

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  James Smillie and E.G. Dunnel (engraver), “View from Mount Auburn, Mount Auburn Cemetery,” in Cornelia W. Walter, Mount Auburn Illustrated ([1847] 1850), opp. p. 112.

Attributed

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  Joseph Steward, The Reverend Eleazar Wheelock (1711-1779), 1st President of Dartmouth College (1769-1779), 1793-1796.

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  Jane Shearer, Brick House with Terraces, 1806, in Sotheby’s New York, Important American Schoolgirl Embroideries (January 2012), p. 80.

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  John Archibald Woodside, Lemon Hill, 1807.

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  William Russell Birch, Sweet Briar, c. 1808

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  Anonymous, House Lot, Gardens, and Orchard of Bacon’s Castle (after an 1843 survey plan), 1911, in Peter Martin, The Pleasure Gardens of Virginia: From Jamestown to Jefferson (1991), p. 10. fig. 5.

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