Cbomae MbatelB 187 



yet this is the narrowest part of the river : but 

 the length of the reaches is everywhere pro- 

 portioned to their breadth; each of them is 

 alone a noble piece of water ; and the last, the 

 finest of all, loses itself gradually in a wood, 

 which on that side is also the boundary of the 

 lawn, and rises into the horizon. All is great in 

 the front of Blenheim ; but in that vast space no 

 void appears, so important are the parts, so 

 magnificent the objects. The plain is extensive ; 

 the valley is broad ; the wood is deep ; though 

 the intervals between the buildings are large, 

 they are filled with the grandeur which build- 

 ings of such dimensions, and so much pomp, 

 diffuse all around them ; and the river in its 

 long varied course, approaching to every object, 

 and touching upon every part, spreads its influ- 

 ence over the whole. Notwithstanding their 

 distances from each other, they all seem to be 

 assembled about the water, which is everywhere 

 a fine expanse, whose extremities are undeter- 

 mined. In size, in form, and in style, it is equal 

 to the majesty of the scene ; and is designed in 

 the spirit, is executed with the liberality, of the 

 original donation, when this residence of a 

 mighty monarch was bestowed by a great peo- 

 ple as a munificent reward on the hero who had 

 deserved best of his country. 



