m 



their attention to the peculiar character oi 

 such gardens : that thej should observcg 

 without prejudice oil either side, what niQ-^ 

 dern improvers have dooe; their merits, 

 their defects, and the causes of them : that 

 they should make the Same observations oa 

 all that has been done iq e?ery age and 

 eountrj,. and compare them with each 

 other; in all this, putting fashion out of the 

 question^ and judging only by the great 

 leading principles, not the particular prac- 

 tice of their own art. That they should 

 mark the alterations which time and acGi-» 

 dent had produced, and consider how taif 

 such effects might be imitated in >■ new 

 works ; and lastly, how alt these more orna- 

 mented parts might be connected both 

 with the house and the general scenery. 

 By such studies, many new lights would 

 be thrown on the whole subject, many new 

 inventions and combinations worthy of be- 

 ing recorded, would arise ; but the bane of 

 all invention, is exclusive attachment to 

 ono. manner^ and that above all others is 



