On the Portraits of English Authors on Gardening, / with Biographical Notices of Them, 2nd edition, with considerable additions

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

25773

Title

On the Portraits of English Authors on Gardening, / with Biographical Notices of Them, 2nd edition, with considerable additions

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This volume offers biographical notices and portraits of deceased English authors on gardening, alongside a selection of distinguished French horticulturists and historical patrons. Samuel Felton argues that these memorials allow readers to compare the countenances of their ancestors with their sentiments, celebrating the honest labor and useful toil that benefited society.

Summary up to 500 words

Published in 1830, Samuel Felton's *On the Portraits of English Authors on Gardening* serves as a biographical memorial to the literary and practical legacy of deceased English and French writers on horticulture. Felton explicitly limits his scope to those who have passed, distinguishing his work from grand historical portraits by Sir Walter Scott. Instead, he offers 'slight memorials' for obscure yet useful individuals who, lacking heraldry or power, benefited society through honest labor. The text aims to exhibit 'our fathers as they lived,' allowing readers to compare the physical appearance of these authors with their written sentiments. The narrative expands beyond English figures to honor a significant list of French authors, including Olivier de Serres, Le Nôtre, and Jean de la Quintinye, whose works adorned France, the 'terre classique d'horticulture.' Felton also pays tribute to historical patrons like Charlemagne, Francis I, and Henry IV, noting their encouragement of orchards and vineyards. A substantial portion of the book is dedicated to Philip Miller, the 'Prince of Horticulture.' Felton details Miller's rise from obscurity, his integrity, and his lack of wealth despite his eminence. The text recounts the poignant story of Miller's grave in Chelsea churchyard, which lacked a monument until public-spirited societies erected one after his death. It highlights the role of the parish clerk, Goodyer, who alone could point out the spot of Miller's burial. The work also honors other figures like Sir William Watson, who introduced foreign plants to the British Museum, and the Rev. William Hanbury, whose benevolent plantations were tragically destroyed by local malice. Throughout, the book weaves together biographical sketches with reflections on the history of gardening styles, from ancient formal gardens to naturalistic approaches. It critiques the 'levelling system' of Lancelot Browne, which destroyed old garden features, while advocating for the preservation of ancient magnificence. The text concludes with an invocation to nature and a tribute to the enduring value of these writers' contributions to the science and art of gardening, asserting that their fame will last as long as the sciences themselves endure.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Biography
• Gardening