CHAPTER I 

 LANDSCAPE GARDENING 



Why England is called "the most beautiful country in the world" 

 How we imitate her wrongly, and the only way we can 

 surpass her 



AN AMERICAN'S first day in England, especially if he 

 arrive in spring, is one of mingled rapture and despair. 

 He is intoxicated with the architecture, the history, and 

 the landscape. And if he be honest, all his defiant patriotism 

 melts and runs away. For in his guilty heart he knows that we 

 have not "found ourselves." He understands now why people 

 accuse us of having no "American style" in architecture, in 

 gardening, or in anything else. The charm of English scenery is 

 explained; it is a revelation of national character. 



After my first ride into the country around Plymouth I threw 

 myself down in despair. I was gorged with the beauty of it. 

 "What is the use of trying to describe it?" I exclaimed. "We can 

 never have such beauty. Even if we wait a thousand years we 

 can never equal England, for we do not have the English climate." 

 Then I thought of the millions of dollars we have spent in vain 

 attempts to get English effects what we have paid merely for 

 roses, which do not bloom all summer with us as they do in 

 England. I thought of all the precious things we can never have 

 in the North, such as English holly and English ivy, the splendour 

 of which had sunk deeply into my soul. I recalled our straight 

 streets, wooden houses, jig-saw ornaments, and gaudy paint. I 



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