viii 



INTRODUCTION. 



am emboldened to submit to the public my 

 ideas upon the subject, having been bred to 

 the study of Landscape Painting in the first 

 instance, and having for many years applied 

 the principles of painting to the improve- 

 ment of real scenery. 



It has ever appeared to me, that a very 

 essential part of an improver's duty is to 

 explain to the proprietor the principles upon 

 which he suggests any plan of improvement. 

 This, during the progress of the work, not 

 only enhances the pleasure of the proprietor, 

 and assists his general taste, but it also en- 

 sures his future care, through the periodical 

 prunings and thinnings which must of neces- 

 sity take place, that the original scheme of 

 the improvement be kept in view. It will 

 also frequently happen that local circum- 

 stances, or individual prejudices, may be op- 

 posed to the plan of improvement recom- 

 mended, In such cases, I have generally 

 found, that a full explanation of the principles 

 on which the plan is founded will not fail to 

 overcome those prejudices, and modify such 

 local circumstances, so that they shall not 

 materially interfere with the general design. 

 If the improver understands his profession, 



