of Charles Augustus Sckell. 675 



Germany, produced a most assthetical effect in theart of landscape-gardening. 

 Munich is indebted to him for its beautiful gardens ; the English garden, the 

 garden at Nymphenburg, Biederstein, and the improvements in the Royal 

 Gardens ; and his name will ever live in the grateful recollection of the public 

 generally, as well as in the hearts of his professional brethren. If these have 

 not had opportunities of displaying their talents in similar great undertakings, 

 arising either from political changes or other circumstances, they have always 

 remained faithful to the prototype of their master and friend; and, by more 

 fully establishing and extending his principles, have, to the present day, cre- 

 ditably supported one of the most beautiful and comprehensive departments 

 in the art of gardening. Much of this merit is due to the deceased. He was 

 born in 1794 at Karlsberg, near Zweibriicken, where his father, Matthew 

 Sckell, was gardener to the Duke Charles of Zweibriicken, and towards the 

 end of the last century came to Munich, when the king, Maximilian Joseph, 

 succeeded to the electorate of Bavaria. His father was appointed head 

 gardener at Nymphenburg, where he effectually realised his brother's inten- 

 tions. Preceded by such men, and guided by their example, young Sckell 

 grew up amid the favourable auspices of his future greatness ; but he had 

 originally but little inclination for the art of gardening, and on leaving the 

 gymnasium in Milnich, wished to continue his studies at the High School, 

 when, in 1811, a variety of circumstances induced him to succeed to this 

 hereditary profession. After a regular apprenticeship he visited the most 

 celebrated gardens in Germany, Holland, and France, and stayed a long time in 

 England in the Botanic Garden at Kew, and at Lee and Kennedy's at Ham- 

 mersmith. The bounty of his sovereign also enabled him to travel in Eng- 

 land and Scotland, with a view of pursuing his studies, and to make himself 

 thoroughly acquainted with the noble and simple style of landscape-gardening 

 practised by Kent and Brown. The death of his father, in 1817, called him 

 suddenly home, where he succeeded to his place as royal gardener at 

 Nymphenburg. He had the good fortune to be under his uncle's directions 

 till 1823, during which time he became more fully conversant with the art, 

 and gave proofs of his acquired knowledge. At that time the gardens at 

 Nymphenburg were very much improved, many new scenes formed, and many 

 tasteful gardens belonging to private individuals were laid out. The hot- 

 house and green-house plants at Nymphenburg which had been collected by 

 his uncle, and also by himself on his journeys, and through the various con- 

 nexions he had formed, increased so I'apidly, that it was found necessary to 

 make a considerable addition to the houses, and which was readily effected by 

 the beneficence of the king. 



On the death of his uncle in 1823, the king, Maximilian, appointed him 

 Inspector of the Royal Gardens. In fulfilling this high ofHce he remained 

 faithful to his taste for landscape-gardening, and by making an annual journey 

 to the romantic regions of Bavaria, he there found the best models for 

 gardens, hills, waterfalls, groups of trees, &c. 



The chief scene of Sckell's labours of late years has been in Munich ; such as 

 the garden belonging to the Ruhmeshalle in the Theresenweise, the Pinakothek, 

 the gardens of several institutions, and of rich private individuals ; and in Kis- 

 singen, the gardens of the baths there. In the English garden, and also in 

 Nymphenburg, he has formed many beautiful scenes, which give evidence of 

 the pure taste and talents of the deceased. During the seventeen years which 

 he had the management of the Royal Nurseries, they were found to increase 

 in value and extent ; and the fruit and vegetable departments were greatly 

 improved, and new sorts introduced. To all those acquainted with the dif- 

 ficulties of the soil and climate of Munich for gardening, it will be evident 

 what share of merit is due to the services of Sckell. 



His Majesty the King of Bavaria valued his labours, and rewarded him by 

 raising him to the office of Royal Garden Director in 1833, and with an in- 

 crease to his salary, and, in 1837, he was elevated to the office of Intendant of 

 all the Royal Gardens in the kingdom of Bavaria. In this honourable 

 situation he lived till his death, which at so early an age called him to another 



