704 



APPENDIX. 



specting the practices of such a professor, than I should otherwise have 

 been. Unfortunately for truth and good taste, Mr. Repton's writings are 

 so expensive as to come into the hands of few ; otherwise this unpleasant 

 task would probably not have been requisite in this work. Had Mr. 

 Repton submitted his writings to the public with that deference which 

 every one equally confused in his notions of theory, and ignorant of the 

 different branches of husbandry, ought to have done, I should never have 

 opposed either his opinions or practices in any other way than by stating to 

 the world what I conceived to be good taste in my art, leaving every one to 

 draw the inference,^ or make the application, according to his own ideas. 

 But it is otherwise ; and Mr. Repton's manner of writing, and his authority 

 with one class of the public, more than even the errors which exist in al- 

 most every page of his folios, have drawn from me these strictures. I do not 

 hesitate to say, that Mr. Repton has a considerable share of what may 

 be called tinsel ability in his art, and, compared with his cotemporary 

 followers of Mr. Brown, he is perhaps deservedly at the head of his profes- 

 sion. At the same time I am of opinion, that the want of practical know- 

 ledge, and the study of nature, will ever prevent him from blending beauty 

 with utility and economy in such a way as to make any considerable ad- 

 vances in the art. This will appear evident to every man of good taste, 

 from that sameness and tameness of manner which certainly must be 

 allowed to prevail in his red-books, published works, drawings, and 

 especially the residences which have been improved under his directions. 



Avoiding an analysis of this Gentleman's writings, as unsuitable to my 

 design, I seize only on what appear to me the errors most inimical 

 to good taste, and the true interest of proprietors. These divide them- 

 selves into — 



1 . Mr. Repton's mode of using slides and sketches ; and, 



2. His mode of operating with the principal materials of landscape. 



