THE planter's GUIDE. 



49 



As to the expense attending the process, it were need- 

 less, as well as invidious, minutely to investigate it ; as it 

 could be no object in a royal institution, when compared 

 with the successful preservation of plants of such uncom- 

 mon value. A list of some of the most remarkable, with 

 their several dimensions, will be found in the notes, and 

 may interest the botanical reader.''^' 



For this achievement in horticultural transplanting, the 

 most splendid probably ever known in Britain, the learned 

 professor is entitled to the highest praise. It shows 

 what may be done in this art by the united efforts of 

 industry and ingenuity. Yet although the whole was 

 very ably and royally executed, and must prove interesting 

 to others placed in like circumstances, it furnishes no 

 example for general imitation or park practice. All the 

 prominent difficulties with which the ordinary planter has 

 to contend — namely, want of climate and soil, and of 

 genial warmth resulting from exposure to the elements — 

 were here removed or obviated. The trees in this 

 favourite spot were like the products of nature in the 

 " happy valley of Rasselas, " in which all the blessings 

 of vegetation were collected, and the evils extracted and 

 excluded." To succeed, therefore, with removals on the 

 open lawn would require a different system, as well as 

 very different subjects. 



It now only remains to say something of the progress 

 of the art on the continent of Europe within the last 

 century ; and on that subject there is little to be told. 

 The two countries whose example during this period has 

 been most generally influential, are England and France. 

 Landscape gardening originated in the former country ; 

 and it was naturally to be expected that, with a character 



* Note XVI. 



