From the Prince, who did him the honour of consulting him in the improvements of his palace, to the humble citizen, who, in his villa near town, asked for his assistance to arrange his rows of poplars, or to exclude the dusty road by his fir plantation,-all afford traits of character, both curious and amusing;-but to insert such anecdotes would be inconsistent with our present purpose, of giving a Sketch of Mr. Repton's own character and life alone. It is somewhat singular, that, amongst all his professional visits to almost every part of England, in the county of Norfolk he had fewer engagements than in any other; although he has recorded that his first professional visit was to Catton, the seat of Jeremiah Ives, Esquire, and his second to Holkham, the seat of J. W. Coke, Esquire (since Earl of Leicester): "two of my earliest friends," as he remarks, "who have both outlived the eighteenth century, and have seen many changes, though none in the regard I have ever felt for each." Another of his earliest patrons was the late Duke of Portland, on whose amiable character he expatiates with the warmth of one who not only had an intimate acquaintance with his domestic virtues, but who felt that much of his success in life had been owing to the early recommendation and steady kindness of that great and good man. We cannot forbear transcribing part of the account of his first visit to his Grace:- "When I first saw the Duke of Portland, in 1789, he explained to me his wishes concerning Welbeck, in a manner so clear and decided, that all diffidence of my own skill was removed. I had then had little practical experience, and felt a painful degree of anxiety at every new concern; afraid of committing myself, and doubting my own powers to suggest new ideas. The Duke's gracious manners, and his remarks, which evinced his taste and judgment in my own pursuits, alarmed my sensibility at first, but soon convinced me that I should have no difficulty in conveying or explaining my opinion to him. At the close of a full hour's conversation, I begged his Grace would inform me to whom I was indebted for the honour of this introduction: after a short pause he said, 'I have been endeavouring to recollect, but cannot name any one person in particular. Whenever I consult any professional gentleman, in whom I wish to place implicit confidence, both in his skill and integrity, it of course leads me to make a strict inquiry of all who are likely to know him; and, as I have uniformly received the same answer, it is to yourself alone that you are indebted."
