xxvi Editor's Introduction 



. . . the picture has but one fault — it is all too culti- 

 vated, too perfect, thence always and everywhere the 

 same, and consequently, in the long run wearisome. 

 I ndeed, 1 can even conceive that it must become distaste- 

 ful in time, like the savory dish of dainties to the stom- 

 ach of a sated man. 



That Prince Puckler did not hesitate to criti- 

 cize the celebrated estates in England is indicated 

 by the following passage : — 



We have hastened to see the wonders of Eaton Hall, 

 of which, however, my expectations have not been very 

 high. Moderate as they were they have been scarcely 

 realized. The parks and gardens were, to my taste, 

 the most unmeaning of any of their class I had seen, 

 although of vast extent. 



On the other hand, here is a description in 

 another of Puckler's letters of what he considers 

 an ideal park or country estate : — 



Mr. W.'s park is certainly one of the most perfect 

 creations of that kind and owes its existence entirely to 

 his perseverance and good taste. It is true that he could 

 nowhere have found a spot on earth more grateful for 

 his labors, but it seldom happens that art and nature 

 so cordially unite. It is enough to say that the former 

 is perceptible only in the most perfect harmony ; other- 

 wise it appears to vanish into pure nature, — not a tree 

 or a bush seems planted by design. The vast resources 

 of distant prospect are wisely husbanded ; they come 

 upon the eve by degrees and as if unavoidably ; every 

 path is cut in a direction which seems the only one it 

 could take without constraint and artifice; the most 

 enchanting effects of woods and plantations are pro- 

 duced by skillful management, by contrast of masses, 

 by felling some, and thinning others, clearing off and 



