SUPPLEMENT TO LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



SECTION I. 



SOME GENERAL REMARKS ON LANDSCAPE GARDENING AND 

 COUNTRY PLACES. 



Great as was the impetus given to the public mind 

 by the first appearance of this book in 1841, and great 

 as has been the advantage derived from its publication 

 since, not only in assisting by certain rules as far as it is 

 possible to apply rules to an art, but also in developing 

 and fostering rural tastes, yet, we think, it must be 

 conceded by observing and discriminating persons, that 

 the style of our country places is still vastly inferior 

 to the very marked improvement in Rural Architecture 

 during the past ten years. 



This has arisen partly from the fact that no sensible 

 man attempts to build his own house, and the necessity 

 of employing architects has not only developed much 

 ability in our own professors of this art, but has also 

 given us the additional advantage of a great deal of for- 

 eign talent and skill. 



This has not been the case with Landscape Gardening. 

 There has been no one since Mr. Downing's death who 

 has exactly filled the niche he occupied in the public 

 estimation. We do not mean to say that there are not 

 at present in this country, gentlemen of taste and know- 

 ledge, and who are professional Landscape Gardeners of 

 sufficient ability to take any place and to make it all 

 that is desirable ; but there is no one, we think, whose 

 judgment and opinions w r ould have, at this moment, 

 such decided and marked influence in all matters of 



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