The major theoretical work of Loudon’s early (pre-rheumatic fever) period, strongly advocating the ideas of Uvedale Price and critical of those of Capability Brown. The appendix is an inspired criticism of Repton’s writings and his “mode of shewing effects by slides and sketches, and structures on his opinions and practice in landscape gardening.” Loudon was correctly described by his American admirer A. J. Downing as “the most distinguished gardening author of the age.” A very good capsule summary of his career and writings is given in the Oxford Companion to Gardens, pp. 344--5.