At a time when the wealth of individuals has been increasing in this country, beyond the example of all former periods, it would not be an uninteresting subject of inquiry, to consider how far the more general diffusion of GOOD TASTE has kept pace with the increased wealth of individuals; or, rather, the effect which that increased wealth has produced on the taste of the country generally.** But in the following pages I shall confine my observations to the united arts of landscape gardening and architecture.
**[Amongst the most obvious effects of sudden wealth in the country, is the change of property from the hereditary lords of the soil, to the more wealthy sons of successful commerce, who do not always feel the same respect for the antiquity or dignity of venerable mansions: and, although some may have sufficient taste to preserve the original character of such places, yet, in general, the display of recent expense in the newness of improvement is too prevalent. Hence we have continually to regret the mutilation of the old halls and manor houses, where the large bay windows, the lofty open chimneys, and picturesque gables of Queen Elizabeth's time, give place to the modern sashes and flat roofs, with all the garish frippery of trellis, and canvas, and sharp-pointed pea-green Gothic porches, or porticos of Grecian columns reduced to the size of bedposts.]
