577. The principles of modern landscape-gardening were unquestionably first laid down by English writers. It is allowed on all sides that Addison and Pope 'prepared for the new art of gardening the firm basis of philosophical principles.' Addison's paper on Imagination was published so early as 1712; and Pope's celebrated Guardian on Verdant Sculpture, in 1713. Pope attacked the verdant sculpture and formal groves of the ancient style, with the keenest shafts of ridicule; and, in his Epistle to Lord Burlington, laid down the justest principles of art;-the study of nature, of the genius of the place, and never to lose sight of good sense.
