DRESS GROUND. 29 



The eye of taste will carefully observe these 

 varieties, as on the due improvement of them 

 at each place rests, in great measure, the 

 variety of its own character, and its distinction 

 from others of apparently similar features. 



Composition in landscape embraces three 

 distinct parts, the distance^ the middle distance, 

 and i\\e foreg7'ouiid. The first of these is out 

 of the reach of improvement in itself, but will 

 contribute more or less to the general effect 

 of the scene, according to the treatment of 

 those other parts which are under our control. 

 And here it may not be improper to observe, 

 that the very natural pleasure arising from 

 extent of prospect has done much mischief, 

 both in placing the residence and in dictating 

 its accompaniments. 



Some years ago I visited a very picturesque 

 spot, upon which an appropriate house was 

 then buildino;. It was a varied knoll covered 

 with full-grown wood ; the openings here and 

 there carried the eye across a valley adorned 

 with the winding reaches of the Thames to a 

 rich distance beyond. Through one of these 

 openings a distant spire was happily, I should 

 rather say unhappily, seen. A visiter well 



