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APPENDIX. 



2d, That his precepts, reasoning, and practice, are in direct violation 

 of natural taste ; and, 



3d, As a consequence, that there is no absurdity in regard to effect 

 which he may not produce, and no limits, or certain data, in regard to the 

 expense, in which those who follow his directions may not be plunged. 



Wood, the next, and by far the most important material, is described in 

 Chapters IV. and V. Every reader must be aware, that almost the whole 

 art of picturesque improvement consists in planting and the management 

 of wood ; and also, that this material, being highly profitable, affords an 

 excellent opportunity of blending utility with beauty, and, of course, of 

 rendering the most pleasing scenery of a residence highly profitable. 

 When an author like Mr. Repton, of so much " experience," who has dis- 

 tributed his opinions in nearly two hundred red books," who has " guided 

 the taste and improved the scenery of his country" for nearly twenty 

 years, and who now sits down to deliver the result of his experience, in 

 order to " establish fixed principles in an art which he elevated to dig- 

 nity," and in which he alone " united theory with practice," it may rea- 

 sonably be supposed, that some very important particulars and excellent 

 principles would be developed for the instruction of mankind. In no to- 

 pic of rural affairs could instructions be so well received, because in no ma- 

 terial of landscape is the proprietor of landed property so much interested, 

 whether we regard the beauty or value of his estate. But Mr. Repton 

 dismisses the subject of planting in less than ten pages, without the least 

 hint of any general rule or principle, without a single new idea, or any 

 practical directions which could convey instruction either to the designer 

 or the practical planter I ! The management of wood in Chap. V. contains 

 little more than a long quotation from Whately, and a tedious description 

 of a drive at Bulstrode. Nothing is said on either subject in " hints and 

 sketches !" In the " Enquiry into the changes of taste, &c." a few hints 

 are given, in pages 21, 2, 3 and 4 ; but they are either absolutely erroneous, 

 or contradictory to experience, as the following paragraphs will shew. 



