ftbomas t&batetg 203 



on the brow of some rising grounds without the 

 enclosure, stands a noble Corinthian arch, by 

 which the principal approach is conducted, and 

 from which all the gardens are seen reclining 

 back against their hills ; they are rich with 

 plantations, full of objects, and lying on both 

 sides of the house almost equally, every part is 

 within a moderate distance, notwithstanding 

 the extent of the whole. 



On the right of the lawn, but concealed from 

 the house, is a perfect garden scene called the 

 Queen's Amphitheatre, where art is avowed, 

 though formality is avoided ; the foreground is 

 scooped into a gentle hollow ; the plantations 

 on the sides, though but just rescued from regu- 

 larity, yet in style are contrasted to each other ; 

 they are, on one hand, chiefly thickets, standing 

 out from a wood ; on the other, they are open 

 groves, through which a glimpse of the water 

 is visible ; at the end of the hollow, on a little 

 knoll, quite detached from all appendages, is 

 placed an open Ionic rotunda ; beyond it a 

 large lawn slopes across the view ; a pyramid 

 stands on the brow ; the Queen's Pillar, in a 

 recess on the descent ; and all the three build- 

 ings being evidently intended for ornament 

 alone, are peculiarly adapted to a garden scene ; 

 yet their number does not render it gay ; the 

 dusky hue of the pyramid, the retired situation 



