European Travel 103 



The road ran on winding through this. We drew a long 

 breath, and walked slowly for a little way, then turned aside 

 at the nearest tree, and lay down to take it all in satisfactorily. 



We concluded that the sheep and cattle were of the most 

 value for their effect in the landscape ; but it was a little ex- 

 citing to us to watch the deer, particularly as we would some- 

 times see them in a large herd leisurely moving across an 

 opening among the trees, a long way off, and barely dis- 

 tinguishable. 



It is not my business to attempt a criticism of ' ' the finest 

 specimen of the pointed Gothic" in England; but I may 

 honestly say that it did not, as a whole, produce the expected 

 effect of grandeur or sublimity upon us, without trying to 

 find reasons for the failure. Even when we came to look at it 

 closely, we found little to admire. There was no great simple 

 beauty in it as a mass, nor yet vigorous original character 

 enough in the details to make them an interesting study. 

 The edifice is long and low, and covered with an immense 

 amount of meaningless decoration. 



Such was our first impression, and we were greatly dis- 

 appointed, you may be sure. We admired it more afterwards 

 on the other side, from the middle of a great garden, where it 

 seems to stand much higher, being set up on terraces, and 

 gaining much, I suspect, from the extension of architectural 

 character to the grounds in its front. Here we acknowledged 

 a good deal of magnificence in its effect. Still it seemed as if 

 it might have been obtained in some other style, with less 

 labour, and was much frittered away in the confusion of 

 ornament. 



This garden is a curiosity. It is in the geometrical style, 

 and covers eight acres, it is said, though it does not seem 

 nearly that to the eye. It is merely a succession of small 

 arabesque figures of fine grass or flower beds, set in hard. 



