The Landscape Gardening and Landscape Architecture of the Late Humphry Repton, Esq. Being his Entire Works on These Subjects

By the beginning of the nineteenth century, landscape gardening had divided into at least two branches. The geometric style promoted strictly ordered gardens, while the natural style, for which the period is known, preserved characteristics of untamed vistas. Edited by a former professional rival, John Claudius Loudon (1783–1843), this one-volume collection of the works of Humphry Repton (1752–1818) first appeared in 1840. Featuring more than 250 engravings, it illuminates the principal styles and contemporary debates of landscape design. Including perspective tricks to disguise differing water levels, and instructions on the use of cattle as a natural measure of scale, Repton's writings reflect the attention to detail that was involved in planning and executing major projects. The collection is prefaced with a biographical notice believed to have been written by the architect John Adey Repton (1775–1860), who collaborated with his father on many schemes.

Introduction; Biographical notice of the late Humphry Repton, Esq.; Part I. Sketches and Hints of Landscape Gardening: Advertisement; Catalogue of Red Books; Introduction; 1. The characters and situations of several different places; 2. Concerning buildings; 3. Concerning the situation for a house; 4. Concerning water; 5. Concerning park scenery; 6. Comparison of modern, or landscape gardening, and the ancient or geometric style; 7. Concerning approaches; Appendix; Part II. Observations on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening: Advertisement; Preface; List of places; 1. Introduction; 2. Optics, or vision; 3. Water; 4. Of planting for immediate and future effect; 5. Woods; 6. Of fences; 7. Ferme ornée; 8. Of pleasure-grounds; 9. Defence of the art; 10. Of ancient and modern gardening; 11. Miscellaneous; 12. Architecture and gardening inseparable; 13. Ancient mansions; 14. Application of gardening and architecture united; 15. Conclusion; Part III. An Inquiry into the Changes of Taste in Landscape Gardening: 1. Historical notices; 2. Scientific discussions; 3. Literary and miscellaneous remarks; Part IV. Designs for the Pavilion at Brighton; Part V: Fragments on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening: 1. Rural architecture; 2. Symmetry; 3. Fences near the house; 4. Cobham Hall; 5. Dates of buildings; 6. Castles; 7. Unity of character; 8. Blenden Hall; 9. Windows; 10. Gothic outline; 11. Beaudesert; 12. Of colours; 13. Of interiors; 14. Wingerworth; 15. Planting single trees; 16. Of villas; 17. Garden in Portugal; 18. Uppark; 19. Of combinations; 20. Contrasts; 21. Frome House; 22. Aspects and prospects; 23. Variety; 24. Longleate; 25. A plan explained; 26. A villa near the capital; 27. Gardens of Ashridge; 28. Woburn Abbey; 29. Luxuries of a garden; 30. Lodges and cottages; 31. Water fences; 32. Improvements; 33. Sherringham Bower; 34. Endsleigh; 35. House of industry; 36. Harestreet; General index.