this case, the garden ground ascends from the house. The garden is laid 

 out to view, almost as a picture hangs on a wall, in the very best position for 

 the convenience of the spectator; and there is nothing that gives a greater 

 sense of dignity, with something of a poetical mystery, than separate 

 flights of steps ascending one after another in plane after plane-as they 

 do m that magnificent example, Canterbury Cathedral. It matters not 

 whether the steps are under a roof or not-the impression received is the 

 same. And there is much beauty in the steps themselves being long and 

 wide and shallow. Looking uphill we see the steps ; looking downhill 

 they are lost. It is not the foot only that rests upon the step, it is the 

 eye also, and that is why any handsome steps with finely-moulded edees 

 are so pleasant to see. The overhanging edge may have arisen from 

 utihty m that, where a step must be narrow it gives more space for the 

 foot ; but in the wide step it affords still more satisfaction, giving a good 

 shadow under the moulded edge, and accentuating the long level lines 

 that are so welcome to the eye. 



89 



