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Repton, Humphry, 1752-1818 / Fragments on the theory and practice of landscape gardening: including some remarks on Grecian and Gothic architecture, collected from various manuscripts, in the possession of the different noblemen and gentlemen, for whose use they were originally written; the whole tending to establish fixed principles in the respective arts
(1816)
Fragment VII. On unity of character, pp. [21]-22
Page 22
north side, and some new rooms to the west have been added. Of the useful and modem appendages to this House, the draw- ing can give little idea: the more essential part of Landscape Gardening is apt to be overlooked in the general attention to the picturesque, which has often little affinity with the more im- portant objects of comfort, convenience, and accommodation.* * In speaking of Harlestone Park, I cannot omit mentioning a remarkable fact con- nected with its improvement. This Park abounded in large Oaks, irregularly scattered over its uneven surface, but amongst them were every where intermixed many very tall Elms, not all planted in avenues, but some in single rows, casting their long sha. dvws over the lawn, oppressing the venerable Oaks by their more lofty growth, and spreading shade and gloom over the surface of the Park. I could not help ob- serving, that the greatest improvement of which the place seemed capable might be deemed too bold for me to advise, as it was no less than the removal of almost all the Elms to shew the Oaks, and diffuse sunshine over the lawn. A few days after having delivered this opinion, on the 10th of November, 1810, a furious storm of wind tore up by the roots eighty-seven of the largest Elms, and only one Oak; producing exactly the effect of improvement which I had anticipated, but had not dared to re- commend. This occurrence is recorded on a tablet inscribed--GENIO LOCL
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