Gilpin, William S.: Practical hints upon landscape gardening: with some remarks on domestic architecture, as connected with scenery (London: Cadell [u.a.], 1835)

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LANDSCAPE GARDENING.

“ Wynendale and Hettingen. It may, how-
“ ever, be a consolation to the admirers of
“ strict uniformity and regularity, if any
“ such there still be, to be assured that their
44 object is, in fact, unattainable; it is as im-
44 possible to draw straight lines of wood —
44 that is, lines which shall produce the ap-
44 pearance of mathematical regularity along
44 the uneven surface of a varied country — as
44 it would be to draw a correct diagram upon
44 a crumpled sheet of paper, or lay a carpet
44 down smoothly upon a floor littered with
44 books. The attempt to plant upon such a
44 system will not, therefore, present the re-
44 gular plan expected ; but, on the contrary, a
44 number of broken lines, interrupted circles,
44 and salient angles, as much at variance with
44 Euclid as with Nature.”
Now, I will ask, is there any passage in
the whole of this quotation that warrants
Sir Henry Steuart’s deduction from it ? Are
the broken lines, interrupted circles, salient
angles, pincushions, hatchets, and penny tarts,
represented as the offspring of the vanity and
bad taste of our present landscape gardeners ?
Is he borne out in his affirmation —44 In all
44 these they will tell you they are imitating