Literary Notices. 53 



troduction info a gentleman's pleasure grounds, as a combination of tLe 

 utile ixnd clulce moxQ remarkable for its eccentricity than artistic judo-- 

 ment or good taste. In the illustration of "Park Scenery," p. 73, the 

 group of trees, rustic bridge and sheet of water are prettily and efFectiveiy 

 designed and drawn, but here the effect is entirely destroyed by the irrup- 

 tion of a fine specimen of the broom tree before mentioned, which rises 

 abruptly from out a rock planted in the very centre of the picture, while 

 the distance is drawn in accordance with those peculiar ideas of perspec- 

 tive entertained by Chinese artists, and only seen in perfection on tea- 

 boards and other celestial works of art. 



We do not wish to appear hypercritical, but, as we entirely coincide 

 with the expressed sentiment entertained by Mr. Kern, " A professional 

 landscape gardener, must necessarily possess a thorough knowledge of 

 drawing" (see page 101,) that we deem it right to call the attention to 

 these little inconsistencies. We submit it to you fairly Mr. Kern, did 

 you ever see anything in nature approximating to your " Rockwork," 

 and if the other] illustrations are to be considered as specimens of the 

 *' Art" of Landscape Gardening, the less nature is assisted in her .efforts 

 to achieve in landscapesque effect, the better. Howerer, take the book 

 as it stands, the joint efforts of Repton and Kern have accomplished a 

 work of more than ordinary importance to the suburban public, and wo 

 earnestly recommend those who do not possess it, to obtain a copy, satis- 

 fied tliat its perusal will amply repay them for all trouble or expense in- 

 curred. 



Homes for the People. Btj G. Wli.ecler. Charles Scribner, ^^ublisher, 

 New - YorJc. 



Apparently, Mr. Wheeler, the author of this volume, has been 

 guided in its construction by the most approved rules of his art, and 

 like a thorough architect — as he really is — has evidently been at great 

 pains to elaborate and perfect his handiwork. 



Assuming that the lamentable innocence of good taste in all matters 

 pertaining to rural beauty, or of a true idea of the picturesque existing 

 among a large proportion of his readers, would render it improbable that 

 his ipse dixit in the matter w^ould ever be disputed, and being desirous 

 to inculcate into the minds of the Messrs. Hobbs, Dobbs or Snobbs of 

 retired parvenudom a dawning consciousness of beauty in other objects 

 than gunny bags, cod-fish or calico, he forthwith demolishes and over- 



