160 



ness, had from that very circumstance, a 

 dignity and propriety in its situation, very 

 different from tiie winding gravel walk ; to 

 which it bears the same sort of relation as 

 the avenue to the belt.* 



It will very naturally be said, that these 

 rich and stately architectural and sculptu- 

 ral decorations, are only proper where the 

 house itself has something of the same 

 splendid appearance. This is true in a 

 great measure ; but though it is only in ac- 

 companying grand and magnificent build- 

 ings that the Italian garden has its full ef- 

 fect, yet, as there are numberless gradati- 

 ons in the style and character of buildings, 

 from the palace or the ancient castle, to 

 the plainest and simplest dwelling-house, 

 so, different styles of architectural, or at 

 least of artificial accompaniments, might, 

 though more sparingly, be made use of in 

 those lower degrees, without having our 

 gardens reduced to mere grass and shrubs. 

 These near decorations in every different 



^ Essay on the Picturesque, part 2," chap. 1. 



