264 A HISTORY OF GARDENING IN ENGLAND 



into the air, and returning down in showers of mist," was in 

 itself sufficient justification. These men who pointed out that 

 some beauties were to be found in the formal garden, and the 

 great folly of ruthlessly destroying everything in that style, 

 gradually arrested the progress of destruction. The taste 

 became modified, and further attempts to improve were not 

 accompanied by such disastrous results. Great thanks are 

 due to those who first saw the mistake that was being made, 

 and who then had the courage to try and stem the onward tide 

 of fashion. The writings of some of those who first appealed 

 against the " Natural School " were couched in as strong 

 language as that used but a few years before by the abusers of 

 the formal style. The following lines from Knight, the opponent 

 of Repton, are a fair example : 



" Hence, hence ! that haggard fiend however call'd. 

 Thin meagre genius of the bare and bald ; 

 Thy spade and mattock here at length lay down. 

 And follow to the tomb thy favourite Brown : 

 Thy favourite Brown, whose innovating hand 

 First dealt thy curses o'er this fertile land."^ 



The absurdity of trying to make small villa gardens in the 

 landscape style, Mdth miniature lawns, " clumps and strips of 

 trees," was pointed out by Loudon.^ He recommends instead 

 designs in a more formal style, and gives plans of villa grounds 

 of six acres laid out in " the geometric style," and others 

 combining that with the newer fashions. Regent's Park was 

 made in the early years of this century, and Loudon speaks of 

 it to illustrate his theories. " The magnificent design of the 

 late Mr. Fordyce, Surveyor-General, now executing (1812) in 

 Marylebone Farm, will in a few years afford a noble example 

 of the unison of the ancient and modern styles of planting." 



The flower-garden began once more to hold a more con- 

 spicuous position, and to be considered as separate from the 

 shrubbery, or less formal part, while that again was kept more 

 distinct from the park beyond. The planting of the grounds 

 outside the flower-garden was also much improved : the stiff 



^ Landscape, by R. P. Knight, 1795. 



^ Hints on the Formation of Gardens and Pleasure-Grounds, by J. C 

 Loudon. 1812. 



