168 



thing new to answer, the best defence of 

 the art was a repubhcation of those opi- 

 nions which are now in a very few hands, 

 from the original work having been long 

 out of print. With these I have blended 

 some additional matter, the result of sub- 

 sequent experience, and particularly of 

 observations on the practice of so able a 

 theorist as Mr. Knight on a spot where 

 (unlike the professional artist) he acts 

 without controul. 



To the cursory remarks on the approach 

 at Downton (p. 1 10), and the foreground 

 attempted (p. 120), I might have retorted 

 the severity of satiric criticism, by adding 

 some severe and ludicrous comments on 

 the style of planting single trees, as in an 

 orchard, and some strictures on the in- 

 correctness of the Pseudo-go thic charac- 

 ter in the buildings ; but as this gentle- 

 man's practical taste can do no injury by 

 its example, and as his theoretical taste 

 must do good by the justness of many of 

 of its precepts, I am happy to acknow- 

 ledge my obligations for the pleasure his 

 works have afforded, while I defend my- 



