This is Loudon’s first published article. It was published in The Literary Journal, Volume 2, 1803. Since it is often mis-referenced and mis-quoted, it has been transcribed by Tom Turner, wth these notes:

1. The author gives his name as J. Loudon. There is no mention of ‘Claudius’ and this name first appears in his father’s Will (see ‘John Claudius Loudon (1782–1843): corrected date of birth’ BR Doggett Archives of Natural History 'Volume 51, Issue 1 2024.

2. As Doggett also points out, Loudon gives his year of birth as 1882, not 1883 as usually given, taking the date from Jane Loudon. 

3. This article was therefore published when Loudon's age was 21

4. The lifelong commitment of public goods, which led to Loudon's enthusiasm for Meason's term 'landscape architecture' is already evident. So are his beliefs in picturesque composition, botanical variety ('an immense number of different kinds') and the systematic labelling of plants in public places.

5. Loudon's characteristically forthright phraseology is also present: Nothing can be more ridiculous .... unnatural and absurd.

6. Loudon protests against the lack of professionalism seen in public squares - the designs are by 'illiterate men, ignorant of the principles of taste' instead of by people with knowledge of 'all the materials of landscape.'

7. Loudon concludes that public squares 'may be made singularly interesting and delightful to individuals; contribute highly to the beauty of the metropolis, and the health of its inhabitants; and even in some degree to the honour of the British nation.'

8. It is possible that the subject of the article and its place of publication were suggested by Loudon's new patron. Sir Joseph Banks lived in Soho Square.

9. It is also possible that this led indirectly to Humphry Repton's design for Russell Square. In his 1806 his An enquiry into the changes of taste in landscape gardening : to which are added, some observations on its theory and practice, including a defence of the art Repton wrote that:- 

'Details and Intention.-As this square is a subject easily referred to, and as, for the first few years of its growth, it will be liable to some criticism, because few are in the habit of anticipating the future effects of plantation, the intention of the plan is here inserted. To screen the broad gravel-walk from the street, a compact hedge is intended to be kept clipt to about six feet high; this, composed of hornbeam and privet, will become almost as impervious as a hedge of laurels, or other evergreens, which will not succeed in a London atmosphere. Within the gravel walk is a broad margin of grass, on which the children may be kept always in sight from the windows of the houses immediately opposite; and, for this reason (founded on the particular wishes of some mothers), the lawn is less clothed with plantation than it might have been on the principle of beauty only. This circular lawn, or zone of open space, surrounds the central area, in which have been consulted the future effect of shade, and a greater degree of privacy or seclusion. The outline of this area is formed by a walk under two rows of lime-trees, regularly planted at equal distances, not in a perfect circle, but finishing towards the statue in two straight lines directed to the angle of the pedestal. It is possible that some fanciful advocates for natural gardening will object to this disposition of the trees as too formal; and they will be further shocked at my expressing a wish that the arch formed by these trees over the walk should be cut and trimmed so as to become a perfect artificial shade, forming a cloister-like walk, composed of trees. For this purpose the suckers or sprays from the stems should be encouraged, to make the interior perfectly secluded. In the due attention to the training and trimming such trees by art, consists the difference between a garden and a park, or forest; and no one will, I trust, contend that a public square should affect to imitate the latter. The area inclosed within these lime-trees may be more varied; and, as it will consist of four distinct compartments, that nearest the statue is proposed to be shaded by a grove of various trees, scattered with less regularity, while the other three may be enriched with flowers and shrubs, each disposed in a different manner, to indulge the various tastes for regular or irregular gardens; yet always bearing in mind that the trees should not be suffered to rise too high in the line immediately behind the statue. As, from the great extent of Russell-square, it is advisable to provide some seats for shade or shelter, a reposoir is proposed in the centre, with four low seats, covered with slate or canvas, to shelter from rain, and four open seats to be covered with climbing plants, trained on open lattice, to defend from the sun; these seats surround a small court-yard, to be kept locked, in which may be sheds for gardeners' tools, and other useful purposes. A few years hence, when the present patches of shrubs shall have become thickets,-when the present meagre rows of trees shall have become an umbrageous avenue,—and the children now in their nurses' arms shall have become the parents or grandsires of future generations,-this square may serve to record, that the Art of Landscape Gardening in the beginning of the nineteenth century was not directed by whim or caprice, but founded on a due consideration of utility as well as beauty, without a bigoted adherence to forms and lines, whether straight, or crooked, or serpentine.'

Loudon's 'Hints respecting the manner of laying out the grounds of the Public Squares in London, to the utmost picturesque advantage'

Chapel-street, Bedford-Row, Dec. 22. 

Mr. EDITOR,
I send you the following hints on a subject, which must be interesting to many of your readers, and in particular to the inhabitants of this city.
Hints respecting the manner of laying out the grounds of the Public Squares in London, to the utmost picturesque advantage.
It will be allowed by everyone that the Squares of London are of the greatest consequence to the
health of its inhabitants, and to the beauty of that city. The manner in which they promote the free
circulation of air, cannot, or at least has not been yet obstructed by art; in regard, however, to picturesque beauty, nothing can be more absurd than the manner in which these squares have been laid out and planted.
The following hints state in general terms the idea of a person who has reflected much upon the subject: they are not less applicable to pleasure grounds, or improved places in general, than to the squares of London: they may be included under the following heads: viz.
1. The direction of walks in these Squares, their form, and connection with the grounds.
2. The manner of varying these Squares with Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers.
3. The kinds of Trees, Shrubs, and Flowers used fur 'this purpose, and the mode of arranging them.
With respect to the direction of the walks, much depends upon the extent and form of the square; it is always proper that one walk should go round it; and the number and direction of those that cross it, should depend upon circumstances in the square itself, the streets which lead to it, the buildings that surround it, &c. which are unnecessary to be here detailed. 

The form and connection of the walks. In place of that harsh edge which all our walks possess, from their convex form, and from being sank below the level of the surface, the gravel ought to be raised to the height of the ground on each side, whether in lawn of shrubbery; and the surface of both should blend and harmonize with each other; at the same time preserving a sufficient degree of convexity to throw of the rain. This will have an admirable effect; while it is a mode easier executed at first, and annually kept at a much less expense than the common method. 

Let these observations, respecting the form and connection of walks, be applied also to patches of shrubs and flowers; and particularly to the harsh edgy line which separates them from the lawn. 

1. The manner of varying the Square with Trees, Shrubs and Plants. But little can be said under this head, without exceeding proper bounds. The wood, or shrubbery, ought to be so arranged on each side of the square, as to form a proper foreground to it, from the surrounding buildings; and at the same time be a proper foreground to the streets, buildings, &c. from certain walks in the square, yet to conceal them entirely from others. Where excess of breadth requires the square to be varied with groups or single trees, they should unite and harmonize with each other, and with the lawn on which they are placed.
   Nothing can be more ridiculous than the formal clumps and patches that disfigure and distort our squares at present; they are totally destitute of connection or harmony, with each other, or with the surrounding scenery: they bear no relation to the grounds on which they are placed, and when examined individually, the harsh line of digging and the incongruous mixture of shrubs is disgusting in the extreme. 
2. What kinds of Trees, Shrubs and Flowers should be used, and the mode of arranging them. --By a proper choice and arrangement of trees, shrubs and plants in our Squares, they may become beautiful and most interesting objects;—yet in nothing are they more miserably deficient, in their present state. 

The choice, in the first place, is always of the most tender and expensive kinds, the least adapted for public squares. Many common sorts, singular for beauty, fragrance, and a luxuriant growth, are totally over-looked; yet those sorts if properly used, would, independent of their beauty, diffuse the most delightful perfume around.

The choice too is deficient in evergreens, and in sorts which blossom and are in perfection early in spring, and late in autumn; for by attention to these there might be trees, shrubs and flowers, in blossom and luxuriance every month of the year, and particularly in winter.

The Choice, or Selection, is still more deficient in regard to flowers; and those only who have made themselves acquainted with the numerous collections which we possess, can form a proper idea of what these squares would be, if they were judiciously decorated. There are plants to be had in blossom every month of the year; and such a selection ought to be made, as that our squares might perpetually abound with flowers. 

With respect to the arrangement of sorts in these squares, it is most unnatural and absurd.

An immense number of different kinds, uniformly mixed together, forms a distracting incongruity throughout the whole. A few yards of shrubbery on one side of the square, is precisely the same mixture that is found in the opposite side; or the same kind of mixture indeed that prevails in all the squares, and in all the shrubberies of Britain: and hence an eternal monotony. Having seen two or three yards within the gate, you have seen it all: there can be no desire to walk round, except what the love of exercise may induce. Now, instead of this random way of planting, were the kinds arranged upon the same principles as natural scenery; that is, by making one kind predominate in one place; and varying these kinds in agreeable succession; there would be an everlasting variety that would at once interest and relieve the eye, and satisfy the mind. 

Every person who has studied natural scenery will fully admit what I have said; and those only who unite a knowledge of botany and painting, can form an adequate idea of the effects which may be produced by the above mode of arrangement; which no artist has ever presented to the eye.
In addition to these hints there is another consideration which. will render these squares highly interesting.The study of Botany is certainly the most delightful of studies:—it is peculiarly calculated for ladies and is happily become very fashionable.
Now were the Botanic and English names put to the trees, shrubs and flowers in these squares; nothing could be better calculated to amuse everyone and instruct amateurs in this science; especially as there is no proper Botanic garden in the neighbourhood of London. 

I observe upon the whole; that this mode of laying out squares or grounds in general, may be executed at a much less expense than the common methods; and everyone will be able to discern the difference in the effect produced, and to acknowledge its superiority in every respect. Nor need this appear surprising to my readers.--The laying out of grounds and particularly the squares of London, has ever been committed to what are called ground-workers.—illiterate men, ignorant of the principles of taste, they have no idea of design in gardening; hence to make a fine shrubbery, or pasture, all that the best landscape gardener can do, they crowd in a long list of scarce, (and of course high priced) shrubs and flowers, &c. which only increase the incongruity of such scenes. In two or three instances, indeed, gentlemen of taste have laid out their own places; but from deficiency in science, intimately connected with gardening, as well as practical knowledge, they have contributed but little to the improvement of the art; which requires that its professor should understand the principles of taste, and be well acquainted with every branch of husbandry, and, in a word, with all the materials of landscape.
But I am afraid, Mr. Editor, that I have detained your readers too long; I will therefore now conclude, hoping that such of them, whom these hints concern, will be induced to have the squares of London altered, and laid out in the manner I have mentioned. Private gentlemen may commit their grounds to the common herd of ground-workers; but the public squares of London are a general concern, and I trust these hints will chew in what manner they may be made singularly interesting and delightful to individuals; contribute highly to the beauty of the metropolis, and the health of its inhabitants; and even in some degree to the honour of the British nation.
I am, Sir, your obedient humble Servant,
J. Loudon.

FOOTNOTES

[[* A statue, obelisk or some such object should generally be placed in the centre of the Square.]]
[[* Such as the Mezerion [Daphne mezerion], Snowdrop tree, Almond, Lauristinus [Viburnum tinus]
Arbutus, and a great variety of others that would have the most enchanting effects, and grateful fragrance.]]
[[* The arrangement of trees, shrubs and flowers, as everywhere practised by landscape gardeners, I hold to be totally in opposition to the principles of taste, or utility.—But this 'subject is too extensive to embark upon at present. I hope soon to give the public my ideas upon this and other branches of my profession, in Observations on Architecture, Landscape Gardening, Improving, etc. where trust I shill slim that my principles, and practice are entirely consonant; and much less expensive than the common methods of building, planting, and laying out of grounds.
[[* We see in natural Forests that in one place the Oak is the principal tree, the Hazel the principal shrub, and the Cowslip the principal flower next succeeds the Beech as the principal tree, the Box as the principal shrub, and the Violet as the principal Hower; and so on, according to the nature of the soil: which at once produces the most interesting variety, and the largest timber. Let us then derive our principles in the arrangement of shrubberies, plan-tations, and even flower-gardens, from the scenery of Nature. ]] 
[[* From the same cause, if a gentleman is willing to be at a considerable expense for an elegant villa, the greater number of architects crowd in a quantity of parts, or unmeaning ornaments, and hence the building, or furniture, becomes di-Au:611g in proportion to the money c xpended ..—But by a proper attention to design, one hail of the expi-r-Ice vo.;uld have produced a much more striking.]] 

Note on the Literary Journal 

The Literary Journal was published from 1803-1805. It was a periodical that focused on literary criticism, reviews, and essays. It was aimed at a literate and educated audience, likely consisting of scholars, writers, and intellectuals of the time.

See also: Gardenvisit.com appreciation of John Claudius Loudon.