46 ARBITRARY ARCHITECTURE 



resolved should not be interfered with. The architect 

 endeavoured to convince him of the impossibility of 

 preserving this room, without destroying the harmony 

 in the proportions of the proposed new structure ; but 

 without avail, as the Squire was resolved not to give up 

 the point ; and taking the plans from the hands of his 

 functionary, he quickly altered them, so as to effect the 

 object he had in view, and handing them back to him, 

 exclaimed, — " There, sir, is my plan of the building, 

 which it is now your business to see executed," — and 

 turning on his heel, he walked away. 



The design of the kennels and stables was also drawn 

 by himself, and executed by his own carpenters and 

 masons ; and there are few if any structures of this 

 kind in England which are more thoroughly adapted for 

 the purposes intended, combining as they do every com- 

 fort and convenience. After his interview with the 

 architect, I accompanied him to the grounds, which were 

 to be laid out as a pleasure garden, above which stood a 

 fine grove of trees, at that time occupied by a colony 

 of rooks, which had there held their noisy station un- 

 molested for many years. The Squire being of opinion 

 that they might prove anything but agreeable neighbours 

 to the ladies, for whom he was preparing this beautiful 

 retreat, gave orders to his keeper to dislodge them without 

 further notice. 



It being then the season of the year when these birds 

 were busily employed in repairing and making their 

 nests, the keeper's platooning had as yet failed to produce 

 the desired effect of ejectment, the birds still persisting — 

 late at night, and very early in the morning — to ply their 

 calling. The unhappy wight of plush and velveteen 

 was at his post as usual under the trees, fusee in hand, 



