We do not mean wholly to decry ORNAMENTAL BUILDINGS, in embellished scenery. In places of magnitude, and where the higher degrees of embellishment are required, especially where a magnificent modern-built house forms a principal in the composition, ARCHITECTURAL ORNAMENTS become in a degree requisite. But they should ever appear as Embellishments in a scene, and not assume the character of Principals; unless, perhaps, in a sequestered part of extensive grounds, where no outlet to the eye, no offscape, can be had; and, there, an ornamental building may appear, as the Principal of an INTERIOR, with advantage. With a view to the study of this subordinate department of the Rural Art, no place, perhaps, is more worthy of the young Artist's at

tention than STOWE.

In the higher part of these grounds; near the fluted column, erected, if we recollect rightly, by LADY COBHAM, to the merits of her husband, during his life-time; we were pleased to see some tufts of trees, shrubs, and flowers, growing promiscuously; and in the same natural way, in which we had long wished to see them, in ornamented Nature. These clumps are placed on the edge of the terrace, or unseen fence, which divides the kept grounds from the adjoining fields,—stocked with grazing cattle. They have, of course, a doubly

good effect; as being in themselves ornamental, and as assisting to mix and assimilate the kept with the unkept grounds. For the latter purpose, however, they were, at the time we saw them, in too high keeping: an error which a little neglect would soon rectify.

To detail the view from every Temple would convey little useful information to our readers. That from the Temple of Concord and Victory (erected, we believe, in honour of the great LORD CHATHAM) is the most interesting of the interior views. It consists of a narrow grassy valley or dell, thickly wooded, on either side; in a way which we not unfrequently see, in Nature. But the effect is hurt, by two side vistas opening, in a formal manner, upon two obeliscal buildings ; from which, in return, the Temple of Concord is seen. This sort of reciprocity of view may often be given with good effect. But it should ever appear as an effect of accident, rather than of design, and cannot please when introduced in a forced or formal manner.

THE eye having dwelt awhile, with pleasure, in this hollow glade, something unnatural in the shelving of the ground was perceived. On closer examination, and still closer enquiry, this beautiful dell was found to be a work of art: not set about,

however, with the intent to produce an artificial valley, but an artificial river!

THIS miscarriage is not brought forward, here, in detriment to the professional character of Mr. BROWN. Every novice, in every art, is liable to commit errors; and one mistake, in the course of an extensive practice, is but a single blot in writing a volume. We produce it as a lesson for young artists. Water can seldom be retained with advantage, in upland situations; even where the substratum is retentive. In places where this is absorbent, and where the neighbourhood affords no materials to correct the defect, it is in vain to attempt it.

MR. BROWN, however, on discovering his error, had great merit in the manner of correcting it. Sloping away the bank of the river, and thus forming a valley, instead of returning the excavated materials to their former state, shewed, in a favorable light, his talent for expedient. In the case under notice, the effect of the grassy dell is infinitely better, than any which a weed-grown canal could ever have produced; beside the injury which water, pent up in that situation, must have done to the grounds that lie below. A man may discover as much talent, in making a retreat, as in gaining a victory.

SECTION THE THIRD,

FISHERWICK.

THE Seat of the MARQUIS OF DONEGALL, near LICHFIELD, was the next place which particularly engaged our attention*.

THE natural situation of FISHERWICK is still gentler than that of Stowe; where some undulation of surface gives a degree of variety to the grounds themselves, and where distances, though seldom interesting, are sometimes caught. But the site of Fisherwick is a flat, without any relief to the eye; except some rising grounds on the banks of the Tame; which, however, though beautiful in themselves, are not seen from Fisherwick, with advantage; and except a gentle swell of ground, which rises behind the house, and which has been judiciously chosen as the more immediate site of embellishment.

AT the foot of this swell, ran a considerable rivulet, or small brook, severing it from the house

• In November 1784, and June 1785.

VOL. I.

X

and park: a flat infertile heath; such as we see in various parts of this island; and such as never fails to disgust the eye; more, perhaps, than any other passage of surface, which the island affords.

THE embellishments have been effected by breaking the greensward of the rising ground, behind the house, with planting; the boldest and most beautiful part of it being judiciously preserved in lawn, scattered with groupes and single trees. The further extremity is a continued grove; and the point towards the house is also planted; to hide the kitchen garden, and to give to this confined site, all the feature and expression it was capable of receiving.

In the dip, between the garden and the park, in which the rivulet formerly ran, a broad REACH OF WATER is formed; winding up to a large and well built stone bridge, over which the road from Lichfield passes; and its margins are well wooded : circumstances that unite in giving this Reach of Water, as seen from the Grounds, every picturable advantage of a natural River of the first magnitude.

IMMEDIATELY below this Reach, an irregular bason, or lakelet is formed with the passing stream. This bason is open, on one side, to the windows;