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Repton, Humphry, 1752-1818 / Observations 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
(1803)

[Chapter V, continued],   pp. 67-79


Page 68

centuries, yet they lead the mind back to the far more
date. of this encamnpment, when the ground must have been a
naked surface. Another advantage will also be derived fror
carrying the drive above thQ level of the plain. the eye being
raisd above the broausing line, the park wall will he better hid by th,
4Qwr 7ranches of interm ediate trees.  At No. 10. the drive is les
interesting, because -the surface -is, flat; but such occasional tame-
nesgi .vo repo~se. and serves to heighten the interest ,of sub-
sequent scenery; yet at this place, if the drive be made to
branch along the Vallum, it will, pass over the most beautifu
part of the park, on a natural terrace at No. 11, and this will
join thenner drive returning down the 'valley towards t6
kitchen garden.
I am   now  to speak of the great woods called Fern'lis,
Piper'is, Column's, Walk Wood, and Shipman's, in which a
rpeitine. drive has been formerly cut, which no one would
desire to pass a second time, from its length, added to the total
absei-ce of interest or variety of objects; but following the taste
which supposes "nature to abhor a straight line," this drive
meanders in uniform curves of equal lengths, and the defect is
increased by there being only one connexion with the park, while
the other end of the drive finishesat a great distance acrossFulmer
Common. The first object therefore of improveen , will be to
form such a line of connexion with the park as may make it seem
a part of the same domain, and this would be more easily done
uThe browsing line is explained in Chap. IV.
iThe excess of variety may become painful, and therefore in a long drive some
parts should be less interesting, or, if possible, should excite no interest, and be
'indifferent without exciting disgust.


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