Public Admiration regulated by Co*/. 147 



we have seen in the course of this day's circuit 

 of thirty miles, would fill a volume. Many of the 

 gentlemen's seats and villas appeared to me 

 elegant, and extremely well kept : good and 

 bad taste, however, are found blended so often 

 together, that those who, depending on others, 

 venture on an extensive scale of decoration 

 must always hazard much ; in exemplification 

 of which, I might refer to the late Marquis of 

 Lansdowne's house in Berkeley-Square. The 

 lower suite of apartments were finished by Mr. 

 Adam, and adorned with all the riches of Her- 

 culaneum the expense prodigious. Public ad- 

 miration, as is not unfrequently the case, was 

 in the exact proportion to the cost. A few 

 years afterwards, the Marquis fitted up the 

 upper suite of rooms in a style as remarkable 

 for simplicity, as the other was the reverse of it, 

 the effect left no doubt to which the palm of 

 good taste belonged. Simplicity rarely offends, 

 whilst cumbrous ornament oppresses and fa- 

 tigues. 



Merino, the seat of the late Lord Charlemont, 

 is very beautifully situated, commanding a most 

 interesting view of Dublin, of its bay, and of the 

 mountains of Wicklow. The drive by the side 

 of the bay presents a landscape of perpetual 

 change and enchantment. 



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