136 OLD-FASHIONED GARDENING 



So when he came back the second time, in the spring 

 of 1797, it was this work of his own in which he had 

 taken such pride and such delight, that he found "de- 

 spoiled." Small wonder that he does give way suffi- 

 ciently to say, "Workmen in most countries, I believe, 

 are necessary plagues; in this where entreaties as 

 well as money must be used to obtain their work, and 

 keep them to their duty, they baffle all calculation in 

 the accomplishment of any plan, or repairs they are 

 engaged in; and require more attention to, and look- 

 ing after, than can well be conceived." Surely a very 

 modern sounding complaint. 



In spite of all the neglect, however, the splendid 

 house with its generous array of offices, the fine garden 

 walls, the graceful inclosures, the exceptional pave- 

 ments of brick and stone wherever these are desirable, 

 and the well drained walks and drives leading from 

 point to point, all bearing witness to the care and at- 

 tention given originally to their construction, were not 

 seriously harmed. Thus everything bespeaks the 

 thoroughness of the builder and the truth to which 

 I am perpetually referring, that the garden reflects ab- 

 solutely and in spite of himself the character of its 

 maker, is nowhere more completely exemplified than 

 in this creation of the man whom we all always have 

 and always shall, delight to honor. If there were 

 nothing else by which we might know him, this simple 



