108 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



those fine figures, the oval and the circle, as 

 certainly the best models for their plantations ; 

 while those who erect nature and the best 

 works of art for their standard, would tran- 

 scribe upon their banner his concluding sen- 

 tence : — '* I trust that the English Garden, 

 " distinguished by simplicity and freedom, 

 *' will henceforth be under no law but that of 

 " Nature, improved and embelhshed by such 

 " art only as owns her supremacy, and knows 

 " to borrow, without being herself seen, every 

 *' pleasing form which owes its origin to that 

 " unfailing source of variety and beauty." 



Before we enter upon the enquiry, to which 

 of the contending systems these observations 

 of the Planter's Guide lend their aid, I will 

 take the opportunity to disclaim, for myself 

 at least, all intention of controversy; for 

 which I have neither inclination nor leisure. 

 When, however, a work so widely circulated 

 as is the Planter's Guide — supported, too, by 

 the powerful talent of its Reviewer, — when 

 these authorities manifest such unreserved 

 and sweeping contempt of the principles 

 which the study of a long life has confirmed 

 me in, I owe it to my own professional cha- 

 racter — I owe it to those gentlemen, both in 



