712 



APPENDIX, NO. II. 



manner, no circumstance, however adverse to nature or propriety, can 

 ever occur, which may not be argued into good taste ; and no deformity 

 will ever exist, for which we may not discover " some plea by consi- 

 dering" different parts of nature. This is embracing an error which Sir 

 Joshua Reynolds was so anxious to guard against, that of copying pecu- 

 liarities for general nature. 



In the next sentence, the author affirms that " baldness in artificial 

 pools is pleasing to the less accurate observer," and that such " delight in 

 a broad expanse of light on the smooth surface reflecting a brilliant sky." 

 I can only conceive this to hold true of those whose understandings would 

 be satisfied with Mr. Repton's mode of arguing the subject; for I can 

 scarcely conceive any one satisfied with baldness, or the mere reflection 

 of a sky, when trees, broken banks, stones, and varied tints of soil, could 

 be reflected in connection. 



A few trees were cut down in an island at West Wycombe, to shew a 

 better view of the house, which thus forms the example of water being 

 too much clothed! ! ! A sketch is introduced with a slide, to shew this ! 

 while the author adds in a note, that " Mr. Brown has been accused of 

 cutting down large old trees, and afterwards planting small ones on the 

 same spot ; the annexed plate may serve to vindicate the propriety of his 

 advice." This and the drawing shew that the water is now reclothed, that 

 the trees were cut down in order to shew the house from the approach^ and of 

 course that it is no example at all. Mr. Repton proposes to introduce a 

 rocky brook which may be seen from the house, and a cascade, at 

 Thoresby; because, as it is so near Derbyshire, (only thirty miles distant ! !) 

 " the violence done to nature by the introduction of rock scenery is 

 allowable." The former attempt is unworthy of notice ; on this last I have 

 already made some remarks in the foregoing work, page 399. Here I have 

 only to state another argument for this practice. " Having condemned," 

 Mr. Repton observes, "the ill-judged interference of art in the disposition of 

 the ground and water at Thoresby, it may perhaps be objected, that I now 



