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has hardly occurred to me an instance where I have experienced so great a
fluctuation of opinion
' as in this place. I was led, from a consideration of the antiquity of the
Crewe family in Cheshire,
to expect a certain degree of magnificence; but my first view of the house
being from an unfavourable
point, and at too great a distance to judge of its real magnitude, I conceived
it to be very small; and
measuring the surrounding objects by this false standard, the whole place
lost that importance
which I afterwards found it assume on a closer examination.
' In former days, the dignity of an house was supposed to increase in proportion
to the quantity of
walls and buildings with which it was surrounded: to these were sometimes
added tall ranks of
trees, whose shade contributed to the gloom at that time held essential to
magnificence.
I Modern taste has discovered, that greatness and cheerfulness are not incompatible;
it has thrown
down the ancient palisade and lofty walls, because it is aware that liberty
is the true portal of
happiness; yet while it encourages more cheerful freedom, it must not lay
aside becoming dignity.
When we formerly approached the mansion through a village of its poor dependants,
we were not
offended at their proximity, because the massy gates and numerous courts
sufficiently marked the
£ distance betwixt the palace and the cottage: these being removed,
other expedients must be adopted
to restore the native character of Crewe Hall.'
'TATTON PARK.] The situation of Tatton may be justly described as too splendid
to be called
interesting, and too vast to be deemed picturesque; yet it is altogether
beautiful, in spite of that
greatness which is rather the attribute of sublimity than of beauty.
The mind is astonished and pleased at very extensive prospect, but it cannot
be interested, except