6 THE BOOK OF GARDEN DESIGN 



into a valley, with such effect that he is said to have 

 proudly declared " the Thames would never forgive 

 him." He abhorred avenues, and this style of planting 

 gave place under his rule to the irregular dotting of 

 belts and clumps at varying intervals over an estate. 

 There is no doubt but that some of the "follies" of 

 his satellites were wrongly attributed to him, but, in 

 spite of this, Brown was a consummate mannerist, and 

 undoubtedly was the means of spoiling many a good 

 garden by his efforts at deceptive planting and arrange- 

 ment. 



After Brown's death in 1784, Humphry Repton was 

 considered the leading garden designer for many years. 

 To him we owe the origin of the term "landscape- 

 gardener," a name chosen to designate a science which 

 combined the united resources of the landscape painter 

 and the practical gardener. Repton is entitled to our 

 respect, in that his schemes were not directed towards 

 the sweeping away of old gardens, but rather to increase, 

 if possible, their beauty and attractiveness. He con- 

 sidered himself a disciple of Brown, but on examination 

 of his methods and work, we are led to conclude that he 

 differed from him in many material particulars. Brown 

 would not tolerate formality in any shape or form, but 

 Repton, realising that few extremes are pleasing, pre- 

 ferred to strike a mean, and combine the ideas of the 

 early designers with those of his predecessor. Thus, 

 whilst duly appreciating the charms of a garden laid out 

 with proper regard to natural effect, he wisely saw that 

 it was ridiculous to attempt to bring this style to the 

 very doors of the house. Architectural features do not 

 readily combine with those of the field and moorland. 

 Hence we find that gardens designed by him were 

 somewhat severe in treatment close to the house, gradu- 

 ally merging into a freer and more natural style, as the 

 work of the builder and mason was left behind. Thus, 



