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INTRODUCTION. 



It should here be remarked, that the kitchen garden, which 

 still formed the capital feature in the place, and was the usual 

 receptacle of these decorations, was generally placed in front 

 of the house, and consequently would be the chief resort of. 

 such as chose to walk for pleasure. This garden, in cold cli- 

 mates, was always surrounded by a strong and high wall, which 

 added to its security, comfort, and utility. In laying out the 

 walks and divisions, every thing was done by lines, distin- 

 guished from those in nature by their simplicity and deters 

 mined character. They were either perfectly straight, or re- 

 gularly curved. In the general disposition of these lines, sym- 

 metry and regularity were prominent features. Avowed con- 

 sequence and formality gave the leading hints in conceiving 

 the whole design. Symmetry directed the execution. 



In this state was the art of laying out the grounds of a rural 

 retreat all over Europe in the beginning of the eighteenth cen- 

 tury. But when mankind are in a progressive state of civili- 

 zation and refinement, the polite arts seldom remain dor- 

 mant: — they either make advances toward nature, which is 

 ultimately perfection in every polite art, or they are entirely 

 neglected, and sink into their primitive rudeness. 



To the immortal honour of this country, the art of laying-, 

 out grounds was destined to make one advance, to which it had 



