192 SLanfcscape Hrcbitecture 



pensably as to exclude whatever distracts it; and as 

 much farther as possible to accommodate the char- 

 acter of the ground to that of the scene it belongs to. 

 On the same principle the proportion of the parts 

 may often be adjusted; for though their size must 

 be very much governed by the extent of the place ; and 

 a feature, which would fill up a small spot, may be 

 lost in a large one ; though there are forms of a par- 

 ticular cast which appear to advantage only within 

 certain dimensions and ought not, therefore, to be 

 applied, where they have not room enough, or where 

 they must occupy more space than becomes them; 

 yet independent of these considerations, a character 

 of greatness belongs to some scenes which is not 

 measured by their extent, but raised by other prop- 

 erties, sometimes only by the proportional largeness 

 of their parts. On the contrary, where elegance 

 characterizes the spot, the parts should not only be 

 small, but diversified with subordinate inequalities, 

 and little delicate touches everywhere scattered 

 about them. Striking effects, forcible impressions, 

 whatever seems to require effort, disturbs the en- 

 joyment of a scene intended to amuse and please. 

 In other instances similar considerations will de- 

 termine rather the number than the proportion of 

 the parts. A place may be distinguished by its 

 simplicity, which many divisions would destroy; 

 another spot, without any pretensions to elegance, 

 may be remarkable for an appearance of richness: a 

 multiplicity of objects will give that appearance, and 



