PREFACE 



A thorough study of the principles of good taste in 

 landscape gardening would be of measurable benefit to 

 two classes of persons, — first, to i^racticing landscape 

 gardeners ; and second, to the rest of mankind. Such 

 a study is probably more important for the latter class, 

 partly because tliey constitute a larger company, and 

 partly because they control the jDractice of the gardeners 

 more than the gardeners' practice controls the public 

 taste. 



There are wonderful opportunities oj)en to most 

 persons in the enjoyment of the beauties of landscape. 

 Many of these opportunities are lost or only half realized, 

 because people do not know how to analyze and under- 

 stand a landscape. A study of the underlying principles 

 of landscape art ought to give one the ability to 

 analyze a landscape picture, and to see the various ele- 

 ments of beauty in it. It ought also to furnish a proper 

 basis for the criticism of pictorial effects, and at the 

 same time to improve the student's taste in such mat- 

 ters. These things appear to me to be of first impor- 

 tance, so that I have always conducted my classes on the 

 assumption that, while no student is likely to become a 

 landscape gardener, all are bound to see many ol the 

 beautiful pictures in Nature's gallery, and these they 

 ought to understand and enjoy. 60984 



At the same time, it cannot be disputed that a bet- 

 ter appreciation of the fundamental principles which 

 govern in picture-making, outdoors on the lawn, or 



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