It strikes us, forcibly, that all buildings should be in unison with the immediate site, in which they are seen a principle, however, which does not appear to have been anywhere carried into practice; nor have we met with it, in theory: this TEMPLE OF THESEUS is praised by various writers.

AT ENVILLE, we have seen the grand effect of an ARTIFICIAL CASCADE, where the site is favorable, and where nature has furnished the groundwork. Much, however, of the fascinating power of these splendid deceptions, may arise from their novelty, and were they common, they might no longer continue to please. But we are of opinion, that twenty such as that of ENVILLE, scattered over the face of this kingdom, where natural falls are rare, would not pall the eye, nor really offend the feelings, even of men of the finest taste; while, to men in general, they would be sources of high delight.

AT ENVILLE, too, we have seen, that, by means of coppice wood and sheep walk, a hilly broken country may be rendered highly ornamental, without excessive cost. The coppices and sheep walks of ENVILLE are said to pay as much, now, as they did, when let off to farm tenants.

'WILD PEAFOWLS are a beautiful accompaniment, in extensive grounds.

BUT A COTTAGE, buried in extensive woods, is out of place. Cottagers are social beings. A her ́mit's cell, especially if it were occupied, would be more in character.

AN AVIARY OF FOREIGN BIRDS, appears to be equally ill placed, in such a situation: exotic birds are apt accompaniments to exotic plants; and a shrubery, rather than a sequestered dell, seems to be the most natural situation for an aviary.

IN the POLISHED GROUNDS of ENVILLE, we have seen what elegance and beauty may be produced, by trees and shrubs, judiciously disposed, in grounds gracefully outlined, and on lawn highly kept.

UPON the whole, it is evident, from a view of these three places, that a SITE, naturally bold and picturable, may be rendered ornamental, at a small expence, comparatively with that which is requisite to the embellishment of a place, whose ground is tame, and whose features are inexpressive. How little has been done at ENVILLE! how much at FISHERWICK and how much more at STOWE! BROWN's talent seems to have been peculiarly

adapted to the embellishment of tame sites; giving a degree of character and expression to still life. SHENSTONE's forte, on the contrary, lay in setting off the stronger features of Nature, to advantage. It is possible, however, that education, rather than. natural genius, led them into these separate walks. Be this as it may, BROWN'S has been the most laborious, and, upon the whole, the most useful, part. A country, abounding with natural advantages, wants little assistance of art. But, where a large estate, and a principal residence, lie in a situation unfavored by Nature, or disfigured by fortuitous circumstances, an art which can create beauties, and hide or do away deformities, becomes highly valuable.

DIVISION THE FIFTH

MINUTES

IN

PRACTICE.

To the foregoing remarks on places, that have been improved by different Artists, we add some observations and reflections that have arisen out of our own experience, in places of different natural characters.

THESE places we were led to, in pursuing a PLAN FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE; which was first brought forward, about fifteen years ago, and which has since been extended to the MANAGEMENT OF WOODLANDS, and of LANDED PROPERTY in general: thus uniting, in the same design, the several branches of RURAL ECONOMY.

THE execution of this plan has been the leading object we have kept in view, since the time it was

first proposed; and we have, at length, the satisfaction to find, that the most difficult part of our labor is past. The SURVEY of the ESTABLISHED PRACTICES of ENGLAND has been made. Those of the Eastern, the Northern, the Western, and the Central parts of it, are before the Publick. That of the more Western counties is now nearly ready for the Press, and the materials relating to that of the Southern counties, are collected, and will be prepared for publication, with all convenient dispatch.*

SECTION THE FIRST.

MINUTES IN THE MIDLAND COUNTIES.

THE first of these places, in point of time, which engaged sufficient attention to give rise to written remarks, on RURAL ORNAMENT, was a small place in the MIDLAND COUNTies +.

* 1803. These works have since been published.

See the Advertisement to the second Volume of the RURAL ECONOMY of the MIDLAND COUNTIES; also the Subject PLANTING, in the first Volume of that work.