



In speaking of Ballustrades, I cannot omit some remarks on 

 the use to be made of them in different situations; such as a 



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defence for a platform, or the parapet of a roof: the latter should 

 be of stone, but the former may, in many cases, be an iron-rail- 

 ing; and in the parapets of bridges, the dimensions outfit to 



relate to those of man, rather than to that of the building.* 



A magnificent Palace ought not (like many that might be 

 mentioned) to stand in a grass field, exposed to cattle, which 

 are apt to take shelter near the building, and even to enter if, 

 where there is no fence to prevent them; but a terrace or bal- 

 lustrade marks the line of separation. Hie inside of the iuclosure 

 may be decorated with flowers; and we feel a degree of security 

 for them and for ourselves, by knowing that there is a sufficient 



nee to protect both. This, which I consider a very import 



ant part of my own practice, wilh regard to the fence near a 

 house, will be found elucidated by many of the sketches relating 

 to other matter, in the course of these Fragments. 



It has often occurred to me, in walking along Westminster Bridge, that this has 

 not been sufficiently attended to. The large lofty Ballustrade is so managed, that the 

 swelling of each heavy balluster exactly ranges with the eye of a foot passenger ; and 

 from a carriage, the top of the ballustrade almost entirely obstructs the view of the river. 

 Thus one of the finest rivers in Europe is hid, for the sake of preserving some imaginary 

 proportion in Architecture, relating to its form or entablature, but not applicable to its 

 uses as a defence for safety, without impeding the view. If it be urged that we should 

 judge of it from the water, we should consider that this bridge is seen by an hundred 

 persons from the land to one from the water. By the aid of an open upright iron fence, 

 the most interesting view of the river might be obtained, with equal safety to the spec- 

 tator. I have sometimes seen a drive or walk brought to the edge of a precipice, with- 

 out any adequate fence ; but good taste, as well as good sense, requires to be satisfied 

 that there is no danger in the beauties we behold. We do not caress the speckled 



snake or spotted panther, however we may admire them. 



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