Gardenvisit.com The Garden Guide

Book: Fragments on the Theory and Practice of Landscape Gardening, 1816
Chapter: Fragment XxxIII. Extracted From The Report On Sherringham Bower, In Norfolk, A Seat Of Abbot Upcher, Esq. Situation.

Sublime scenery at Sherringham

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WALKS, DRIVES, AND STATIONS. The natural shape of the surface is so infinitely varied, that it is impossible, from a map, to form any idea of the scenery; and drawings can but feebly represent a few of those landscapes which change at every step. The peculiar character of Sherringham is beauty, without any of that sublimity which is derived from horror, as on the brinks of rocky precipices in mountainous regions: yet there is a sublimity attached to the sea, which is here softened into the character of beauty, and forms the leading feature of Sherringham. For this reason, I do not advise that degree of softness and artificial smoothing, described by Mr. R. P. Knight, in his attack on Brown's followers,- "To improve, adorn, and polish they profess; But shave the goddess whom they came to dress."