184 tTbe (Barfcen 



happiest circumstance in their situation. A 

 lustre is from thence diffused on all around ; 

 each derives an importance from its relation to 

 this capital feature ; those which are near 

 enough to be reflected, immediately belong to 

 it ; those at a greater distance, still share in the 

 animation of the scene ; and objects totally de- 

 tached from each other, being all attracted 

 towards the same interesting connection, are 

 united into one composition. 



In the front of Blenheim was a deep broad 

 valley, which abruptly separated the castle 

 from the t lawn and the plantations before it : 

 even a direct approach could not be made, 

 without building a monstrous bridge over this 

 vast hollow : but the forced communication was 

 only a subject of raillery, and the scene con- 

 tinued broken into two parts, absolutely distinct 

 from each other. This valley has been lately 

 flooded ; it is not filled ; the bottom only is 

 covered with water ; the sides are still very high, 

 but they are no longer the steeps of a chasm ; 

 they are the bold shores of a noble river. The 

 same bridge is standing without alteration ; but 

 no extravagance remains ; the water gives it 

 propriety. Above it, the river first appears, 

 winding from behind a small thick wood in the 

 valley ; and soon taking a determined course, it 

 is then broad enough to admit an island filled 



