Page 12

So difficult is the task of giving general satisfaction, that I am aware I
shall cause offence to some by mentioning their places; to others, by not
mentioning them: to some, by having said too much, to others, by having
said too little. Yet to establish principles from experience, and theory from
practice, it was necessary to quote examples; I have therefore prefixed a list
of those places only to which I refer in the course of the work.
It will, perhaps, be observed, that some of these places are of great extent
and importance, whilst others are so inconsiderable that they might have been
omitted. But to the proprietor his own place is always important; and to
the professor a small place may serve to illustrate the principles of his art: and
his whole attention and abilities should be exerted, whether he is to build a
palace or a cottage, to improve a forest or a single field. Well knowing that
every situation has its facilities and its difficulties, I have never considered
how many acres I was called upon to improve, but how much I could
improve the subject before me, and have occasionally experienced more
pleasure and more difficulties in a small flower garden, than amidst the wildest
scenery of rocks and mountains.
. Some of the places here enumerated are subjects which I have visited only
once; others from the death of the proprietors, the change of property, the
difference of opinions, or a variety of other causes, may not, perhaps, have
been finished according to my suggestions. It would be endless to point out
the circumstances in each place where my plans have been partially adopted
or partially rejected. To claim as my own, and to arrogate to myself all that
I approve at each place, would be doing injustice to the taste of the several
proprietors who may have suggested improvements. On the other hand, I
should be sorry, that to my taste should be attributed all the absurdities which
fashion, or custom, or whim, may have occasionally introduced in some of
these places. I can only advise, I do r~ot pretend to dictate, and, in many
cases, must rather conform to what has been ill begun, than attempt to pull
to pieces and re-model the whole Work.
"Non mihi res sed me rebus subjungere conor."
To avoid the imputation of having fully approved, where I have found it
necessary merely to assent, I shall here beg leave to subjoin my opinion nega-
tively, as the only means of doing so without giving oflnce to those from
whom I may differ; at the same time, with the humility of experience, I am