296 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS . 



been made, a general plan should be executed on 

 paper, accompanied by sufficient memoranda, and kept 

 as a record of what had been originally, or subse- 

 quently, proposed and sanctioned. By this means, 

 the designs, in their proper form, could be successively 

 carried into effect. In visiting certain old parks and 

 pleasure-grounds, bearing on their face the evidence 

 of repeated changes, we have often wished for a plan 

 coeval with their formation, and some documentary 

 tracings of the alterations . which time and varying 

 taste had wrought on them. If trees had the gift of 

 speech, they could tell us many curious tales. Such 

 authentic memorials would be most interesting in re- 

 gard to the history, and instructive as to the practice, 

 of the art. 



The general plans which we have thus recommended 

 as a record of original designs and successive changes, 

 are not less necessary in the primary arrangement and 

 laying-out of parks and pleasure-grounds. Those who 

 have had the management of extensive and diversi- 

 fied operations, and have studied the means of effec- 

 tually carrying them . out, will not fail to appreciate 

 their great value. We are aware that it is the custom 

 of some amateurs, who busy themselves in landscape- 

 gardening, to sneer at plans as below the dignity and 

 unworthy of the notice of a great artist. We must 

 be allowed to say, that we have generally found these 

 great artists rather defective in that practical knowl- 

 edge which would fully warrant them to give a decided 

 opinion on the subject. The architect knows well the 

 importance and the necessity of plans and specifica- 

 tions, in building the mansion-house, in which work 

 many operations are to be carried on under a deputed 



