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* internal marks of hospitable splendour, had been banished by modern improvements
in archi-
tecture.
It is now acknowledged that gloom is not necessary to magnificence, that
liberty is not incompa-
tible with greatness, and that convenience is not the sole object of ornament;
for though such
things as are useful may occasionally be ornamental, it does not follow that
ornaments must al-
'ways be useful: on the contrary, many of those productions of the polite
arts which are most
admired, are now merely considered as ornaments, without any reference to
their original uses.
This is confessedly the case with works of painting and sculpture (except
in that inferior
branch of each which relates to portraits) ; for whatever might be the original
uses of pictures or
statues, they are now only considered as ornaments; which, by their number
and excellence,
distinguish the taste, the wealth, and dignity of their possessors. To use
these internal marks of
distinction only, might be prudent in those countries where it would be dangerous
to display any
'external ornaments of grandeur; but rank and affluence are not crimes in
England; on the con-
trary, we expect to see a marked difference in the style, the equipage, and
the mansions of wealthy
'individuals; and this difference must also be extended to the grounds in
the neighbourhood of
their mansions; since congruity of style, and unity of character, are amongst
the first principles of
'good taste.
It has already been remarked in this volume, that there ought to be some
difference betwixt a park
and a forest; and as the whole of that false or mistaken theory, which Mr.
Knight endeavours to in-
troduce, by confounding the two ideas, proceeds froim not duly considering
the degree of affinity
betwixt painting and gardening, I shall transcribe a few passages from manuscripts,
written long