RICHARD PAYNE KNIGHT 215 



now in Chancery, because he chose to make his own will. The prospect from 

 the windows is beautiful, and the walk through the wood overhanging the 

 river Teme, surpasses any thing I have ever seen of the kind. The Greville 

 Memoirs. 



COR this reason we require, immediately adjoining the dwellings 

 * of opulence and luxury, that every thing should assume its 

 character; and not only be, but appear to be dressed and 

 cultivated. In such situations, neat gravel walks, mown turf, 

 and flowering plants and shrubs, trained and distributed by art, 

 are perfectly in character ; although, if the same buildings were 

 abandoned, and in ruins, we should, on the same principle of 

 consistency and propriety, require neglected paths, ragged lanes 

 and wild uncultivated thickets ; which are, in themselves, more 

 pleasing, both to the eye and the imagination, but unfit accom- 

 paniments for objects, not only originally produced by art, but 

 in which art is constantly employed and exhibited. . . . 



On this account, I think the avowed character of art of the 

 Italian Gardens preferable, in garden scenery, to the concealed 

 one now in fashion ; which is, in reality, rather counterfeited than 

 concealed ; for it appears in every thing ; but appears in a dress 

 that does not belong to it: at every step we perceive its exertions; 

 but at the same time perceive that it has laboured much to 

 effect little ; and that while it seeks to hide its character, it only 

 discovers it the more. In the decorations, however, of ground 

 adjoining a house, much should depend upon the character of 

 the house itself: if it be neat and regular, neatness and regularity 

 should accompany it ; but if it be rugged and picturesque, and 

 situated amidst scenery of the same character, art should 

 approach it with more caution : for though it be in itself an 

 avowed work of art, yet the influence of time, with the accom- 

 paniments of trees and creepers may have given it a character 

 of nature, which ought to be as little disturbed as is consistent 

 with comfort: for, after all, the character of nature, is more 

 pleasing than any that can be given by art. At all events, the 

 character of dress and artificial neatness ought never to be 

 suffered to encroach upon the park or the forest ; where it is as 

 contrary to propriety as it is to beauty; and where its intro- 



