The Theory and Practice of Gardening: Wherein is Fully Handled All that Relates to Fine Gardens, Commonly Called Pleasure-Gardens, as Parterres, Groves, Bowling-Greens, , translated by John James, first English edition , initial privilege f., title in red and black, list of subscribers, 30 (of 32) double-page or folding plates, wood-engraved illustrations, final instructions to the binder f., lacking errata f. within preliminaries, some water-staining and spotting, contemporary panelled calf, rebacked, preserving original chipped gilt backstrip, ring stain to upper cover, [Fussell p.117; Henrey 1426], 4to, by Geo. James, 1712. 'Never before did a book lay down the principles of any style so surely and so intelligibly in instructive precepts' (Gothein, A History of Garden Art, 1928). Dezallier d'Argenville had studied architecture under Le Blond, drawn under Bernard Picart and studied the rules and principles of painting under Roger de Piles. Its translator, John James, was a noted London architect, who was Clerk of the Works at Greenwich Hospital and later Surveyor of St. Paul's Cathedral and Westminster Abbey. The work includes mazes, summer-houses, planting, fountains and cascades.