Different Characters and Situations 13 



wards found it assume on a closer examination. In 

 former days the dignity of a house was supposed to 

 increase in proportion to the quantity of walls and 

 buildings with which it was surrounded : to these 

 were sometimes added tall ranks of trees, whose shade 

 contributed to the gloom at that time held essential 

 to magnificence. 



Modern taste has discovered that greatness and 

 cheerfulness are not incompatible ; it has thrown down 

 the ancient palisade and lofty walls because it is aware 

 that liberty is the true portal of happiness ; yet, while 

 it encourages more cheerful freedom, it must not lay 

 aside becoming dignity. When we formerly approached 

 the mansion through a village of its poor dependants, 

 we were not offended at their proximity, because the 

 massy gates and numerous courts sufficiently marked 

 the distance betwixt the palace and the cottage : these 

 being removed, other expedients must be adopted to 

 restore the native character of Crewe Hall. 



Tatton Park. The situation of Tatton may be 

 justly described as too splendid to be called interesting, 

 and too vast to be deemed picturesque; yet it is alto- 

 gether beautiful, in spite of that greatness which is 

 rather the attribute of sublimity than of beauty. The 

 mind is astonished and pleased at a very extensive 

 prospect, but it cannot be interested, except by those 

 objects which strike the eye distinctly ; and the scenery 

 of Tatton is at present of a kind much beyond the 

 pencil's power to imitate with effect : it is like the at- 

 tempt to paint a giant by himself in a miniature picture. 



Perfection in landscape may be derived from various 

 sources : if it is sublime, it may be wild, romantic, or 

 greatly extensive : if beautiful, it may be comfortable, 

 interesting, and graceful in all its parts ; but there is no 



