Capability Brown was England’s most famous gardener. He acquired his nickname ‘Capability’ (which he probably enjoyed more than his Christian name Lancelot). It was well deserved. No medieval notions there. Brown was an 18th century man through and through. He designed 170 parks and earned his nickname by his eye for landscape.
Wren was cast in a similar mould. He filled London with 52 high quality parish churches after the great fire of 1666. Cathedrals and other great public buildings came from his drawing-board in droves.
The benefits left to us all by these two men are on display for all to see. Kipling saw a glory in the English landscape that was more than met the eye. The visitor to London who asked whether there was a monument to Wren was given the replay. ‘If you want a monument, look around you.’
These two men changed our environment. Their flair and capability gave it something it had had not had before. Wordsworth recognised that in his sonnet on Westminster Bridge. We are left to wonder whether an arch or a a dome are better at expressing a reverence for Christ.
We can’t all be Browns or Wrens. It is a marvel that before the days of JCBs and earthmoving equipment all this could be done at all. At this late stage the origin of the money that paid for these works makes us uneasy but we in this mixed-up world have buildings and landscapes that all can enjoy. Cheerful and good-natured briskness is a good accompaniment to whatever capability we may have.
LERWICK MOSQUE
The 30 or so Muslims who live in Shetland are planning to have a mosque. It will be a corner-shop adapted for worship and social activities.
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