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',the place; but there are no means so effectual as that which presents itself
at Knutsford, of which I
have given a hint in the slide of the following sketch.
"means of gratifying purse-proud vanity, which I here propose, may not
be thought unworthy of the attention of those improvers who
"make this gratification the object of their labours."
The expedient proposed, is to hang up a map of every estate at the porter's
lodge. This introduces a sarcasm on WEALTH and RANK.-
But whatever reasons Mr. Knight may be able to assign for indulging his spleen
on these subjects, all his ingenuity will not qualify him to
gloss over the injustice, to say no more, of misrepresenting my sentiments,
and mistaking my expressions.
- But in your grand approach (the critic cries)
Magnificence requires some sacrifice
"As you advance unto, the palace gate,
Each object should announce the owner's state;
" His vast possessions, and his wide domains,
"His waving woods, and rich unbounded plains.
He therefore leads you many a tedious round,
"To show th' extent of his employer's ground;
Climbs o'er the hills, and to the vales descends;
Then mounts again, through lawn that never ends."
How far the poet's license may have been used with fairness and discretion,
will appear, by comparing the sentiments conveyed in my ob-
servations on Tatton, and his poem.  But it seems to be the opinion of this
writer, that any approach is a defective part of modern
gardening; because, in some instances, it has been injudiciously made to
display the whole beauties of the place at the first entrance. I
perfectly agree with him, that those ostentatious approaches, from whence
the whole scenery is spread before the stranger's eye, as upon a map,
are not to be justified; because they rob the mind of that pleasure which
arises from novelty and variety, from expectation and surprise; but
there is surelynomore incongruity in marking the entrance of a parkwith some
distinction, and displaying some of its beauties in the course ofa
road that must pass through it, than in showing, by the external appearance
ofanhouse, thatit is the residence of greatwealthorexalted station.