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In speaking of Ballustrades, I cannot omit some remarks on
the use to be made of them in different situations; such as a
defence for a platform, or the parapet of a roof: the latter should
be of stone, but the former may, in many cases, be an iron-rail-
ing; and in the parapets of bridges, the dimensions ought to
relate to those of man, rather than to that of the building.*
A magnificent Palace ought not (like many that might be
mentioned) to stand in a grass field, exposed to cattle, which
are apt to take shelter near the building, and even to enter it,
where there is no fence to prevent them; but a terrace or bal-
lustrade marks the line of separation. The inside of the inclosure
may be decorated with flowers; and we feel a degree of security
for them and for ourselves, by knowing that there is a sufficient
fence to protect both.      This, which I consider a very import-
ant part of my own practice, with regard to the fence near a
house, will be found elucidated by many of the sketches relating
to other matter, in the course of these Fragments.
* It has often occurred to me, in walking along Westminster Bridge, that this has
not been sufficiently attended to. The large lofty Ballustrade is so managed, that the
swelling of each heavy balluster exactly ranges with the eye of a foot passenger; and
from a carriage, the top of the ballustrade almost entirely obstructs the view of the river.
Thus one of the finest rivers in Europe is hid, for the sake of preserving some imaginary
proportion in Architecture, relating to its form or entablature, but not applicable to its
uses as a defence for safety, without impeding the view. If it be urged that we should
judge of it from the water, we should consider that this bridge is seen by an hundred
persons from the land to one from the water. By the aid of an open upright iron fence,
the most interesting view of the river might be obtained, with equal safety to the spec-
tator. I have sometimes seen a drive or walk brought to the edge of a precipice, with-
out any adequate fence; but good taste, as well as good sense, requires, to be satisfied
that there is no danger in the beauties we behold. We do not caress the speckled
snake or spotted panther, however we may admire them.