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yet, posseSsing no variety in the size of the trees, and but little
in the shape of ground, the eye is deceived in its real distance.
By the laws of perspective, the nearer any object is to the
eye, the larger it will appear; also the larger any object is, the
nearer it will appear to the eye: consequently the magnitude of
the house makes it appear nearer than it really is, there being
no intervening objects to divert the attention, or to act as a scale,
and assist the eye in judging of the distance. For this reason,
every stranger who sees this house from the turnpike road,
would describe it as a large house with very little ground between
it and the road. The first idea of improvement would be, either
to remove the house or the road; but as neither of these expe-
dients are practicable, we must have recourse to art to do away
this false impression. This I shall consideras forming the basis
of the alteration proposed at ATTINGHAM.
In ancient gothic structures, where lofty walls and various
courts intervened between the palace and the neighbouring
village, there was sufficient dignity or seclusion without that
apparent extent of domain which a modern mansion requires;
but since the'restraint of ancient grandeur has given place to
modern elegance, which supposes greater ease and freedom,
the situation of a house in the country is more or less defective
in proportion as it is more or less bounded or incommoded by
alien property. Thus a high road, a plowed field, a barn, or a
cottage adjoining a large house, have a tendency to lessen its
importance; and hence originates the idea of extending park,
lawn, or pleasure grounds, in every direction from the house:
hence also arises the disgust we feel at seeing the park pales,
and grounds beyond, when they are so near or so conspicuous