Ow the Formation of a Residence. 673 



Art. XVI. Remarks on the Question, Whether the Architect or 

 Laiiclscape-Gardener should bejirst employed in the Formation of 

 a Residence. By Mr. James Main, A.L.S.&c. 



Sir, 



You are well aware that it has long been a question whe- 

 ther the architect or the ground-improver should be frst 

 employed in laying out a new, or improving an old, country- 

 seat. The late Humphry Repton, and John Nash, Esqrs., 

 were, thirty years ago, at the head of their respective profes- 

 sions, the former as a landscape-gardener, the latter as an 

 architect ; both equally eminent for refined taste and first-rate 

 abilities. These gentlemen were friends and co-laborators, 

 being generally employed together wherever their talents were 

 required. But this connection, founded on esteem and mutual 

 interest, was suddenly dissolved, only, as was then publicly 

 understood, by the circumstance of their holding contrary 

 opinions on the question above stated. 



Such an occurrence was no way interesting to the public; 

 except, perhaps, calling forth some little feeling of regret at 

 seeing two gentlemon of education, and of most courteous 

 manners, differ on a point on which, from their previous 

 acquirements and studies, they might be presumed to have 

 held similar opinions. It showed, however, that such profes- 

 sors should either know somewhat of each other's principles, 

 or that there should be such harmony as would induce them 

 to compare notes of each other's designs. 



Whether the question be even now settled is doubtful ; 

 because, as many consider the mansion to be the principal 

 object on an estate, they also imagine that all accompaniments 

 are subordinate ; and, of course, think that, as the architect is 

 accountable for the style, stability, comfort, and conveniences 

 of the dwelling, he should also have the privilege of exercis- 

 ing his judgment (if this point be referred to him) as to where 

 and how it should stand. 



But as the style of all buildings is determined by the cli- 

 mate, or by the character of the face of the country around, 

 and as all the landscape-gardener's operations must be in 

 unison, it appears, in such a case, that the builder should fol- 

 low, not lead ; and, for this reason, that it is much easier to 

 build a house to suit the scenery of an estate, than to mould 

 the natural features of the latter to those of the former. 



No architect of taste would recommend a richly ornamented 



Grecian house to be built amidst bold picturesque scenery ; 



nor would he advise a Gothic or castellated mansion to be 



raised upon a beautifully undulated surface. This is sup- 



VoL. VIII — No. 41. XX 



