A Dialogue upon the Gardens of the Right Honorouble the Lord Viscount Cobham at Stow in Buckinghamshire — John Shaqi
A Dialogue upon the Gardens of the Right Honorouble the Lord Viscount Cobham at Stow in BuckinghamshireGilpin, William
Philosophy
A Dialogue upon the Gardens of the Right Honorouble the Lord Viscount Cobham at Stow in Buckinghamshire
Gilpin, William
Cobham, Richard Temple, Viscount, 1669?-1749; Landscape gardening -- Early works to 1800
_Polypthon_, notwithstanding the sour Humour he had given so many
Evidences of in his Walk, began now to relent, and could talk of nothing
but the agreeable Entertainment that had been afforded him. Sometimes he
would run out into the highest Encomiums of the many beautiful
Terminations of the several Walks and Vistas; and observe how many Uses
each Object served, and in how many different Lights it was made to vary
itself. "For Instance, says he, the Pavilion you shewed me from the
Temple of _Venus_, terminates that Terrace in a very grand Manner; and
makes likewise a very magnificent Appearance, where it corresponds with
another of the same Form, at the Entrance into the Park: Yet the same
Building, like a Person acquainted with the World, who can suit his
Behaviour to Time and Place, can vary itself upon occasion into a more
humble Shape, and when viewed thro' a retired Vista, can take upon it
the lowly Form of a close Retreat."----When he had enlarged pretty
copiously upon this Subject, he would next launch out into the highest
Praises of the vast Variety of Objects that was every where to be met
with: "Men of all Humours, says he, will here find something pleasing
and suited to their Taste. The thoughtful may meet with retired Walks
calculated in the best Manner for Contemplation: The gay and chearful
may see Nature in her loveliest Dress, and meet Objects corresponding
with their most lively Flights. The romantic Genius may entertain itself
with several very beautiful Objects in its own Taste, and grow wild with
Ideas of the inchanted kind. The disconsolate Lover may hide himself in
shady Groves, or melancholy wander along the Banks of Lakes and Canals;
where he may sigh to the gentle Zephyrs; mingle his Tears with the
bubbling Water; or where he may have the best Opportunity, if his Malady
be grown to such an Height, of ending his Despair, and finishing his
Life with all the Decency and Pomp of a Lover in a Romance. In short,
says he, these Gardens are a very good Epitome of the World: They are
calculated for Minds of every Stamp, and give free Scope to Inclinations
of every kind: And if it be said that in some Parts they too much
humour the debauched Taste of the Sensualist, it cannot be denied on
the other hand, but that they afford several very noble Incitements to
Honour and Virtue."----But what beyond all other things seemed most to
please him, was the amicable and beautiful Conjunction of _Art_ and
_Nature_ thro' the whole: He observed that the _former_ never appeared
stiff, or the _latter_ extravagant.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account