Buildings ii 



" Towers and battlements he sees. 

 Embosom' d high in tufted trees'" ; 



and that those of the Grecian will accord either with 

 round or conic trees ; but if the base be hid the con- 

 trast of the latter will be most pleasing. 



The Gothic style of architecture being the most cal- 

 culated for additions or repairs to an old house, I might 

 here venture to recommend it on the score of mere 

 utility ; but when we take into the account that pictur- 

 esque effect which is always produced by the mixture 

 of Gothic buildings with round-headed trees, I confess 

 myself to be rather sanguine in my hopes of produc- 

 ing such beauty at Wembly as will render that house, 

 which has hitherto been a reproach to the place, the 

 leading feature of the scenery. Instead of clogging 

 all the improvements with the dread of shewing the 

 house, I conceive it possible, without any very great 

 expense, to convert the house itself into the most 

 pleasing object throughout every part of the grounds 

 from whence it may be visible. 



Having stated some arguments for adopting the 

 Gothic style, I shall now proceed to consider the objec- 

 tions that may be urged against it. 



The first objection will arise from the expense of 

 altering the outside, without any addition to the inter- 

 nal comfort of the mansion. The same objection may, 

 indeed, be made to every species of external ornament 

 in dress, furniture, equipage, or any other object of 

 taste or elegance : the outside case of a harpsichord 

 does not improve the tone of the instrument, but it 

 decorates the room in which it is placed : thus it is as 

 an ornament to the beautiful grounds at Wembly that 

 I contend for the external improvement of the house. 

 But in altering the house, we may add a room to any 



