UTILITY or PLANS. 



225 



a general plan should be executed on paper, accompanied 

 by sufficient memoranda, and kept as a record of what had 

 been originallj^^ or subsequently, 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 docu- 

 mentary tracings of the alterations which time and vary- 

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

 speech, they could tell us many curious tales. Such au- 

 thentic memorials would be most interesting in regard 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 diversified 

 operations, and have studied the means of effectually 

 carrying them out, will not fail to a|)preciate 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 knowledge which would fiilly 

 warrant them to give a decided opinion on the subject. 

 The architect knows well the importance and the neces- 

 sity of plans and specifications in building the mansion- 

 house, in wliich work many operations are to be carried 

 on under a deputed superintendence, that would other- 

 wise require his constant presence. So the landscape 

 gardener, who has examined grounds with such care as to 



L 3 



