Editor's Introduction xix 



confidante. These letters are truly models of epis- 

 tolary genius. Their descriptions of scenery are 

 especially fine, and one needs, fully to realize the 

 greatness of his literary power, to comprehend 

 Puckler's peculiar value as a landscape architect. 

 Here is one of his descriptions: — 



On two sides the eye wanders over an almost im- 

 measurable plain, on the other, lies Loch Corrib, a 

 lake, thirty miles in length, behind which are the moun- 

 tains of Clare and in still remoter distance the romantic 

 ridge of Connemara. The lake just at the middle bends 

 inland like a river, and its waters gradually lose them- 

 selves between the lofty mountains which seem to form 

 a gateway for their entrance. Just at this point the sun 

 set: and Nature which often rewards my love for her, 

 displayed one of her most wondrous spectacles. Black 

 clouds hung over the mountains and the whole heavens 

 were overcast; only just at this point, the sun looked 

 out from beneath the dusky veil and issued a stream 

 of light which filled the whole ravine with a sort of un- 

 earthly splendor. The lake glittered beneath it like 

 molten brass, while the mountains had a transparent 

 steel-blue luster like the gleam of diamonds. Single 

 streaks of rose-colored cloud passed slowly across the 

 illuminated picture over the mountains; while on both 

 sides of the opened heavens distant rain fell in torrents, 

 and formed a curtain which shut out every glimpse of 

 the remaining v;orld. Such is the magnificence which 

 Nature has reserved for herself alone, and which even 

 Claude's pencil could never imitate. 



These lines purport to give simply a descrip- 

 tion of Nature, but at the very end Piickler can- 

 not help writing as a landscape architect, which 

 is primarily his true vocation. 



