650 Retrospective Criticism. 



In some of these it would have been founded on a visible rock, and conse- 

 quently the expense of the foundation would have been trifling, or rather 

 there would have been no expense on that account at all. The committee, 

 however, finally fixed on a situation on the edge of the North Loch, on the 

 south margin of Princes Street, on a piece of made ground, where, in order 

 to procure a sufficient foundation, they have been obliged to dig down 40 or 

 50 ft., and bury such an immense mass of masonry, that the committee are 

 now coming forward to solicit "auxiliary subscriptions " on account of the 

 " heavy expenses of the substructure." (^Scotsvian, Aug. 30, 1843.) Inde- 

 pendently altogether of the " heavy expense of this substructure," we put it 

 to all men of common sense, whether it can be in good taste, in a locality like 

 Edinburgh, where there are innumerable situations that supply foundations of 

 rock rising to the surface, to build a monument, no matter for whom or for 

 what, in a situation where any substructure is required at all. Why not liave 

 chosen a spot on the Castle Hill, or perhaps still better the Calton Hill ? 

 The idea of burying so much money, where there never can be anything to 

 show for it except the accounts, is in our opinion most repugnant to the 

 feelings of a well-regulated mind, and anything but creditable to the com- 

 mittee. Economy of execution is one of the first things that ought to be 

 attended to in every public or private work whatever. — Cond. 



Art. III. Retrospective Criticistn. 



The Improvements in Kensington Gardens, (p. 288.) — While I agree with 

 you in admitting that great praise is due to the Earl of Lincoln, for the wish 

 he has manifested to make the parks about the metropolis minister as much 

 as possible to the instruction, as well as gratification, of the people, I cannot 

 think that he has done well in introducing conspicuously tiie names of the 

 trees and shrubs into our public gardens. I know that (his is a favourite 

 project of yours, and that it has originated in a most benevolent wish to blend 

 instruction with amusement, and so to lead to a civilisation of our population. 

 But, in the first place, I do not think that the beauty of all our parks ought 

 to be destroyed, and all chance of a high love for the beauties of nature cut 

 off) for the sake of instructing those who will not be at the pains to learn for 

 themselves. Let there be, if you will, botanic gardens, where those who 

 wish may find every kind of plant named, but let our parks be parks, and not 

 schools; and be assured that you will attain your wish more certainly in this 

 way than by the method you pi'opose ; for your idler will hardly recollect the 

 name of a plant when he has had no trouble in learning it. And again, see to 

 what your plan naturally leads. The plants are arranged. How ? — So as to 

 produce the most beautiful scenery? No. — Well, but so as to show their 

 peculiar properties the best way ? No. — At any rate they are grouped in 

 classes, so as to convey broad characters to the observers ? No ; they are 

 arranged (see p. 288. 1. 2.) in alphabetical order ! This reminds me of what 

 once happened to me in walking through the conservatories at the Colosseum 

 before they were finished. Finding the gardener disposed to converse, I 

 entered into conversation with him as to the principles on which the planting 

 had been conducted. He spoke in the highest terms, as well he might, of the 

 talents of the extraordinary man who had projected the building and its accom- 

 paniments ; but added, with a feeling in which he expected me to sympathise 

 (for from our conversation he found that I had some knowledge of plants), 

 that it was a great pity Mr. Horner knew nothing of plants or their value. 

 " Why, Sir, he has arranged them solely with a view to their picturesque 

 effect ; and, in spite of my remonstrances, has removed to a distance plants 

 that have cost five guineas, while he has placed in the front row others that 

 are not worth one shilling ! " Be it remembered that this was twenty years 

 ago, and that there was more excuse for the gardener then than there would 



