THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF GARDENING

 

JAMES, John.  THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF GARDENING.                       

London: Bernard Linton, 1728. 4to. Contemporary calf. (viii), 297, (1), (16) pages, 38 folding plates. Second English language edition. [Hunt, 471; Fowler, 171-A; Harris, 381].

This work by Antoine Joseph Dezallier D'Argenville (1680-1765) first appeared in France in 1710.  It was translated into English by James in 1712.  In America, the second edition of James's translation was owned by Thomas Jefferson.  The second edition was the first James translation to include the "New Treatise of Flowers and Orange-Trees."  It also contains six additional plates.  The plates, re-engraved by Michael Vandergucht, are considered by Henrey and others to be superior to the original French illustrations.  John James, was himself a very competent architect and architectural historian, translating Pozzo's book on perspective from Italian as well as the present book from French.  Through this book James introduced to the English the ha-ha, a concealed fence which was first employed by Bridgeman at Stowe in 1713.  Armorial bookplate of Whythe Melville of Bennochy and Strathkinness, and signature of Robert Melvill (sic) dated 1779.  Professionally rebacked, else very good.

 

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