264 



to serpentine seemingly at its pleasure, and where discontinued 

 by different levels, its course appeared to be concealed by 

 thickets properly interspersed, and glittered again at a distance 

 where it might be supposed naturally to arrive. Its sides were 

 smoothed, but preserved their meanderings. A few trees scat- 

 tered here and there on its hedges, and when it disappeared 

 among the hills, shades descending from the heights leaned 

 towards its vanishing point. He followed nature even in her 

 faults. In Kensington Gardens he planted dead trees, but was 

 soon laughed out of the excess. His ruling principle was that 

 Nature abhors a strait line." 



The principal grounds in which the above principles were 

 carried into effect were Stow near Buckingham, then the resi- 

 dence of Lord Cobham. His Lordship was an amateur de- 

 signer, but employed Bridgeman to assist him. Bridgeman's 

 plans are still in existance. These improvements began in 

 1714, and were continued with intermissions until about 1755, 

 when Kent was employed to complete and alter the designs. 

 Lord Cobham appears to have been considered by his friends 

 the first demonstrator of Landscape Gardening in this country 

 from the concluding line of an epitaph which is placed to his 

 memory in the garden. 



" Elegantiori Hortorura cultu his primura in agris illustrato 

 Patriaui ornavit, 1747." 



For a full description of this magnificent domain I must refer 

 my readers to an anonymous publication in 1769, entitled 

 *' Stowe ; a description of the magnificent House and Gardens, 

 &c," 8vo. with plates — "The Beauties of Stowe," by G. Bick- 

 nian, 1750 — Whately's Observations on Modern Gardening — 

 and a later description of Stowe, by Mr. Seely — Hagley, near 

 Bronisgrove, in Worcestershire, still remains in some parts, as 

 it was first laid out by Lord Lyttleton. It is described by 



