ASHRIDGE 89 



undertake the more extensive plans of landscape, 

 I was glad to contract my views within the narrow 

 circle of the Garden independent of its accom- 

 paniment of the distant landscape. Although the 

 Park abounds in fine woods and large trees, the 

 view from the windows of the landscape is naked 

 and uninteresting. I was permitted, therefore, to 

 suggest the plantation of about eight acres, and as 

 every part of a modern Garden is alike I ventured 

 boldly to go back to those ancient trim Gardens, 

 which formerly delighted the venerable inhabitants 

 of this curious spot, as appears from the trim Box 

 hedges to the Monks' Garden." 



Repton apparently respected the latter, and also 

 refrained from felling to the ground any beautiful 

 long avenues of trees in order to gain a view, though 

 he hated them "as being inconsistent with natural 

 scenery." One of Repton's elaborate " Red Books" 

 was most likely compiled on Ashridge, giving plans 

 showing the alterations and improvements. Some 

 of these, judging by the appearance of the present 

 Garden, must have been carried out, and time has 

 mellowed his crude touches in many places. 



The only remains left of the monastery, which 

 stood so many hundreds of years ago at Ashridge, 

 are to be found in the Monks' Garden, and consist 

 of a red-roofed Conventual Barn and what is called 

 the " Parlour " ; both of which appear in the water- 

 colour drawing illustrating Ashridge. 



