382 PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. BOOK I. 



shall be the more concise in what I am here to offer. I must 

 remark, however, that the works alluded to, though they have 

 effected (except among landscape gardeners) a general revolu- 

 tion of opinion, have hitherto made no difference in practice ; 

 which is not surprizing when all tasteless professors are against 

 their improvements, and when no examples* of artificial 

 water rendered picturesque have yet been shewn to the pub- 

 lic. On the contrary, some eminent practitioners, as Mr. 

 Marshall and Mr. Repton, have written decidedly in opposition 

 to Mr. Price's ideas on the subject. Mr. Repton in particular, 

 an artist who modestly claims to himself the honour of " guid- 

 ing the taste and improving the scenery of his country," I am 

 sorry to find strenuously defends the practice in his publica- 

 tions by several lame apologies for shaving, and also by nu- 

 merous drawings of naked and tame rivers executed from his 

 designs. We may judge of his practice from the water at 

 Donnington, Corsham, Thoresby, Wentworth, &c. which, 

 whether in regard to situation, general form, or accompaniments, 

 are equally formal with any of Mr. Brown's works. Not con- 

 tented with forming artificial water contrary to every prin- 

 ciple of good taste and nature, at Valleyfield, the barbarities 

 committed upon a natural brook are almost incredible, and 

 seem as if made by Mr. Repton on purpose to appropriate the 



* With some exceptions at Foxley. 



