INTRODUCTION.

Gardening, as an Art of Culture, since the commence-ment of the present century, has made rapid progress ; but,as an Art of Taste, it has been comparatively stationary.One of the principal causes of this state of things, is theabundance of good and cheap books on subjects belongingto the former department, and the scarcity and high priceof those treating of the latter. To remedy this evil, it iscontemplated to publish a series of four or five volumes,which shall include a reprint of all the best works onLandscape Gardening which have hitherto appeared; illus-trating these works, where it appears desirable, with notes,commentaries, and engravings.

The art of laying out the grounds which immediatelysurround a country residence, may be displayed in two verydistinct styles: the first of which is called the Ancient,Roman, Geometric , Regular, or Architectural Style ; andthe second, the Modern, English , Irregular, Natural, orLandscape Style. Both these styles are, in different stagesof society, equally congenial to the human mind. TheGeometric Style was most striking and pleasing, and mostobviously displayed wealth and taste, in an early state ofsociety, and in countries where the general scenery waswild, irregular, and natural, and man, comparatively, uncul-tivated and unrefined ; while, on the other hand, in moderntimes, and in countries subjected to cultivation, and covered