Agricultural History Review, Volume 65 Part 2 (2017), p. 342

It is a truth universally acknowledged that one should never judge a book by its cover. Yet the charming exterior of The secret life of a Georgian garden should stop any bookshop browser in their path, tempting them to pick up and thumb through its contents. Upon doing so, the curious shopper will be rewarded with a book which is both insightful and entertaining, a history of the pleasure grounds of the Georgian elite. Rather than following a strictly chronological narrative, Feluś’ work is arranged into sections covering morning, afternoon, evening and night-time, thus giving the reader a view of a ‘day in the life’ of the Georgian garden. In doing so, Feluś connects the garden – so often discussed primarily as an agreeable but somewhat unimportant hobby or afterthought – with the everyday experiences of the era’s wealthy men and women.

The book will be enjoyed by both academics and interested amateurs alike. On the one hand, Feluś presents a history of the changing faces of pioneering landscapers (with a particular focus on Lancelot ‘Capability’ Brown), which provide the contextual and evolving background to the fairly consistent uses made of the garden itself. Yet, on the other hand, the book branches out, with references to scenes from Jane Austen novels providing a pleasant levity to the volume as a whole. All this is aided by Feluś’ opulent and witty use of language where, for instance, an inheriting landowner is ‘the archetypal new broom, [who] started sweeping away the most out-of-date features of his uncle’s garden’ (p. 59).

Feluś’ book also benefits from the many visual images. First, there are the numerous pictures, both monochrome and colour, which add richness to the descriptions of the scenery. There are many which stand out, though a particular favourite has to be the two-page colour spread depicting the fireworks at Whitehall in 1749 (figure 64). In addition to the pictures are the earthy descriptions Feluś supplies, which transport the reader to the Georgian garden itself. Though, once there, they may be surprised by what they see. From portraits of a young George III stealing glances at the Lady Sarah Lennox making hay, to spectacles of boisterous lads engaging in mock naval battles on otherwise peaceful lakes, Feluś never fails to entertain.

An element of cheeky playfulness in people’s use of their gardens also becomes apparent. Feluś describes one incident that involved the sacking of a hermit, hired to live within the grounds for seven years, yet found partaking of refreshments in a local tavern. Feluś shares this playfulness when she postulates on the possibility that naked bathers – their modesty protected by shrubbery and slopes – might watch with amusement as fully clothed people passed by completely unaware.

There is little in this book that warrants criticism, and any that exist stem largely from a wish that certain topics had been explored in greater detail. For instance, the tone of Feluś’ work is pleasant and almost always joyful – except for the description of the untimely death of an up-and-coming composer – and suggests an idyllic life. Yet, the book might have benefited from giving more attention to the trials of running a Georgian garden. There are a few tantalizing references to the difficulties experienced by those who worked at the gardens, such as when servants had to struggle on their hands and knees against strong winds, but this felt like an all too brief glance behind the curtain of the garden facade. Further, the cost of maintaining the gardens and providing lavish entertainment is not mentioned, and the reasons why people went to such lengths is only fleetingly discussed. The focus on the positives also tends to mean that the gardens are explored in mostly pleasant weather, and so the interaction between a garden and its many users in more inclement conditions, and as the seasons changed, is rarely revealed.

Perhaps leaving the reader wanting more is a sign of a successful book. It is certainly likely to encourage readers to dig through the extensive bibliography to find out where they could learn more. Nevertheless, Feluś provides a unique insight in to the way the garden both fuelled and facilitated life in this period, and highlights its importance to society. Feluś has shown how the role of the garden reached beyond the boundary walls, to influence people in their everyday lives, from the clothes they wore when exploring the grounds, to the food they ate (including reference to a three-foot-long venison pie), and to the fascinating way in which activities at night were planned around the timings of the full moon. The garden, we learn, interconnected many aspects of people’s everyday lives. In doing this, Feluś has shown that there was so much more to the Georgian garden than we might have expected, and that by rooting through these pages, we may learn to appreciate gardens all the more.