LANDSCAPE GARDENING 
259 
bought and rebuilt it in 1697. He planned every detail in 
both house and grounds with minute care, and the accounts 
and agreements for the work were all preserved. The whole 
place is on a grand scale, and has a magnificent situation. The 
house, stables, and forecourt occupy 7 acres. This forecourt 
originally was completely surrounded by a colonnade, and 
measured 500 feet across, and 800 from the entrance-gates 
to the house. Such formality was too much for Repton. 
“ It is only by excluding Nature/’ he wrote, “ that we can 
produce the effect of greatness in artificial objects, and a large 
court surrounded by buildings can have no pretentions to look 
Natural.” For this reason he could not tolerate it, and on 
his advice, in 1796, the north side of it was pulled down, and 
replaced by iron railings. The porter’s lodges were also 
removed, and the iron gates and their stone pillars were alone 
suffered to remain. On the south of the mansion lay the 
chief part of the garden. Here five terraces, with red-brick 
walls and stone copings, well covered with flowering plants, 
descended the hill-side, and opened on to an avenue which 
stretched for a mile across the park to two fish-ponds, and 
terminated with a stone gateway dating from Buckingham’s 
time. There were originally three terraces, 1 but the Earl of 
1 The following are some of the agreements made with the Earl of 
Nottingham when he increased the number of terraces from three to 
five. The length is not mentioned in them, neither does Repton state 
the exact length, but it must have been somewhat over 450 feet, 
judging from his estimate for their removal. 
“ William Edge, of the Parish of Kensington, has arranged with the 
Earl of Nottingham to levell the walks and gardens at Burley, as were 
set out and measured by Henry Dormer and Roger Jenkins (gardener), 
and to find Carts and Horses for performing the said work, the said Earl 
allowing grass and Hay for said horses for and in consideration of the 
summe of £300. The work to be finished by Michaelmas. 
“ Nov. 24, 1696.” 
“ Lord Nottingham agreed with Joshua Walker for the building of 
the terrace walls. These walls were to be made of brick and stone, 
those against the Mount Walls to be above the ground alle two or more 
feet thick, as shall be necessary with the weight of earth, that lyes 
against them, or otherwise needful. The walls to be coaped with 
Clipsham stone. Lord Nottingham to promise the lime, water, sand, 
morter, earth, and brick stone. 
“April 14, 1697.” 
17—2 
