’ 
REPTON’S LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 
This is a kind of paradox which we 
must leave our author to resolve. For 
it seems rather strange, that he should 
be unable to “ establish fixed principles,” 
when “ much experience” has confirm- 
ed them. However, he apologizes for 
this inconsistency in the next sentence, 
by observing, that “ after ‘various at- 
tempts to arrange systematically the mat- 
ter of this volume, I found the diff. 
culties increase with the number of the 
subjects.” ‘This statement Mr. Repton 
completely contradicts inva subsequent 
part of his work, where he observes that 
«the wnoie” (of it) « has been written 
ina carriage, during his professional 
journies from one place to another.” He 
further informs us that, ‘‘ being seldom 
more than three days together in the same 
place, the difficulty of producing this 
volume, such as itis, can hardly be con- 
ceived by those who enjoy the Jdlessings 
of stationary retirement, or a permanent 
home.” i 
What can we infer from these jumbled 
Opinions, but that the author does not 
enjoy a “ permanent home,” that he is 
troubled with too much business, that 
he was under some obligation to produce 
a book, andthat he wrote it, “ such as 
it is.’ in © a carriage,’’ or during his 
three days stay at “the same place.” 
Dr. Johnson remarks, that ‘¢ whoever is 
engaged in a multiplicity of business, 
must transact much by substitutes, and 
leave something to hazard” Thus itis 
with Mr. Repton; after he has given a few 
directions about planting, digging, level- 
ling, &c. some gardeners and labourers 
are left to execute the whole: and the 
present volume, we presume, was “ laid 
out’’ in a similar manner; for we seek in 
vain for system, arrangement, or plan. 
It appears to consist of aseries of uncon- 
nected extracts trom his red books*. This 
indeed he acknowledges in the following 
passage : 
«* When called upon for my opinion,” he 
observes, ‘* concerning the improvement of a 
lace, Lhave generally delivered it in writing, 
ound in a small book, coutaining maps and 
sketches to explain the alterations proposed : 
this is called the Red Book of the place ; and 
933 
thus my opinions have been diffused over the 
kingdom in nearly two hundred such manu- 
script volumes. From many of these, with 
the permission of their respective proprietors, 
this volume has been composed ; sometimes 
adopting the substance, and sometimes quote 
ing the words of the Red Book.” 
In the latter end of the advertisement 
““ H. Repton, Esg.”? recommends im very 
warm terms. his son, * Mr. John Adey 
Repton,” as an architect of pre-eminent 
abilities, and gives a specimen of his 
designs, in a print, representing “a hall 
for a gothic mansion.” ‘his, like Mr. 
Repton’s book, is very “ pretty’? to look 
at, but very expensive to execute, and 
though it might astonish the vulgar, it - 
would offend the manof sense and taste, 
by being out of character for domestic 
architecture. 
The preface professes to contain some 
observations on taste as relating to the 
laying out of grounds Here the author, 
as in several other places, indirectly re- 
commends himself. “ Improvements,’’ 
he observes, “ may be suggested by any 
one, but the professor only acquires a know- 
ledge of effects before they are produced, 
and a facility in producing them by va- 
rious methods, expedients and resources. 
the result of study, observation, and ex 
perience. He ought to know ‘what to 
adopt, and what to reject.” An artist 
possessing good taste matured by expe- 
rience, would know these things imme- 
diately, and in the improvement of a 
place would not merely calculate on 
present effects, but would anticipate the 
change of seasons, and the progressive 
operations of nature. ’Tis not sufficient 
for the landscape gardener (a title Mr. 
R. has assumed) to plant and alter for 
the present times, but if he wishes to 
raise a monument to his own fame, he 
should dispose his materials in a manner, 
that their harmony and utility should 
“ grow with their growth, and strengthen 
with their strength.”” By such a system 
the “polite art” of landscape gardening 
would properly keep place and assimi- 
late with the other polite arts, which, in 
England, have within the last fifty years 
madea rapid progress towards excellence. 
_* When Mr. Repton is applied to for advice, or assistance in the embellishment of aplace, 
he generally charges five guineas a day for travelling expenecs, a certain sum per day whilst 
visiingAhe party, and afterwards forty, fifty, or sixty guineas for a * Red Book.’ This book 
contains his opinions and observations on the present, and improvable state of the grounds, 
and his recommended alterations are displayed in two drawings, one representing its present 
state, and the other what it would be when completed, if seen in an advantageous light, and 
with the accidental grouping of cattle, deer, &c. in certain situations. 
303 
