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and strait ridings through, wpods, are ex- 

 changed, for clumps, belts, and circular 

 roads and plantations of every kind: strait 

 alleys in gardens, and the platform of the 

 old terrace, for the curves pf the gravel 

 walk. The intention of the new improvers 

 was certainly meritorious ; for they meant 

 to banish formality, and to restore nature ; 

 but it must be remembered, that strongly 

 marked, distinct, and regular curves, un- 

 broken and undisguised, are hardly less 

 unnatural or formal, though much less 

 grand and simple, than strait lines ; and 

 that independently of monotony, the conti- 

 nual and indiscriminate use of such curves, 

 has an appearance of affectation and of 

 studied grace, which always creates disgust. 



The old style had indisputably defects 

 and absurdities of the most obvious and 

 striking kind. Kent, therefore, is entitled 

 to the same praise as other reformers, 

 who have broken through narrow, invete- 

 rate, long established prejudices; and who, 

 thereby, have prepared the way for more 

 liberal notions, although, by their own prac- 



Q 4 



