In a short but heartening exchange, Mr Honey, flapping himself around his calves, as is his wont, with a horse-whip declared that ‘Nothing, but nothing beats a picture’. He was fresh in from Yorkshire and very full of himself, but I shall summarise his fuller account.
Tag: Aske
Moccas Court from the church
Mr L of Muddiford has written to question Capability Brown’s role in the landscaping of Moccas Court. It is not that there is any doubt that he was paid for drawing up plans, but Mr L argues that Brown and his plans had no influence on the place.
Mrs L. of Ilkley asks what tree would best summon up for the quintennial celebration that is to come in 2216 the quirkiness and quintessential quickness of Capability Brown. I don’t want to promote a competition, but I would put in a vote for the simple and much abused sycamore.
As Thomas Hale observed sycamore will readily regrow from a stump. Its cousin the Norway Maple was coppiced in the shrubbery at Croome for its leaf and colour.
Nick Owen’s photograph of the view to Tuthill from the Wallington riding, shows a landscape that is far from cut off.
The plain fact is that in the 18th century country houses weren’t cut off. We imagine things and deceive ourselves.
We are embarked on a mighty enterprise, to wrest the reputation of one of the great men of the world from that thing worse than neglect, which is familiarity.