PREFATORY OBSERVATIONS. 
In a small Work published in 1806,“ it was mentioned (page 4l), “ That 
“ we were on the eve of some great change in Landscape Gardening 
“ and Architecture, in consequence of our having lately become better 
“ acquainted with Scenery and Buildings in the interior provinces of 
“ India it was also mentioned, that “ my opinion had recently been 
“ required in some great works of this style, then in too early a stage 
“ of progress to be referred to.” This was in allusion to my having at 
that time completed the original MS. of which the following Work is 
an exact copy. 
As many parts of this volume may appear to recommend a degree 
of novelty, to which I have frequently objected in former publications, 
it will perhaps subject me to some severity of criticism. I must there- 
fore plead for candid and indulgent hearing, while I explain the origin 
of the following work, and endeavour to justify its intentions. 
At a time when the wealth of individuals has been increasing in this 
country beyond the example of all former periods, it would not be an 
uninteresting subject of enquiry, to consider how far the more general 
diffusion of good taste has kept pace with the increased wealth of 
individuals ; or rather, the effect which that increased wealth has pro- 
duced on the taste of the country generally. b But in the following 
pages I shall confine my observations to the united Arts of Landscape 
Gardening and Architecture. 
The natural effect on the human mind of acquired wealth, is either 
an ostentatious display of its importance to others, or a close applica- 
tion of it to selfish and private enjoyment; and very frequently both 
in the same individual. And this effect may be traced in the modern 
* An Enquiry into the Changes of Taste in Landscape Gardening and Architecture; printed for J. Taylor, 
59, Ilolborn, octavo. 
b Amongst the most obvious effects of sudden wealth in the country, is the change of property from the 
hereditary lords of the soil to the more wealthy sons of successful Commerce, who do not always feci the same 
respect for the antiquity or dignity of venerable Mansions; and although some may have sufficient taste to pre- 
serve the original character of such places, yet in general the display of recent expence in the newness of improve- 
ment is too prevalent. Hence we have continually to regret the mutilation of the old Halls and Manor Houses ; 
where the large bay windows, the lofty open chimneys, and picturesque gables of Queen Elisabeths time, give 
place to the modern sashes and fiat roofs, with all the garish frippery of trellis, and canvass, and sharp pointed 
pea green Gothic porches, or porticos of Grecian columns reduced to the size of bedposts. 
b 
