I bet that like me you have a picture of Regency England as elegant and refined , and think life for its elite was comfortable and easy. I suspect our view of the past is always rose tinted but perhaps a look at some charming but quirky, almost cartoon-like paintings done by the daughter of one landowning family in Essex will help challenge some of those illusions.
Diana Sperling’s sketch books were drawn between 1816 and 1823 and show a different side of life in a country estate. Yes there are servants, yes there are nice possessions and plenty of time and space to roam – but there’s also plenty of inconvenience, myriads of flies and lots and lots of mud!
“The Lord of the manner and his family going out to a dinner party at 5 o’clock with a tremendous stile before them”
Let’s start February with a question. Do gardens have to fit into a particular pattern to be “acceptable” or merit inclusion on the “must-visit” list? There are quite a few people who think they shouldn’t have to and that we’re too hung up on particular notions of culture, beauty, and good taste. They argue that gardens, like art generally, should encompass a much wider range of ideas, styles and materials and not be subject to so much analysis or or always be seen through a traditional lens, or subject to “collective” approval to be successful or interesting.
The Garden History Blog 
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