83 

 Thus the ancient baronial castles ^vere Bamniai 



, ., , . p 1 MI • • Castles iti 



built on the summits or nills, m times lofty bias. 

 when defence and security suggested the 

 necessity of placing them there; and dif- 

 ficulty of access was a recommendation: 

 but when this necessity no longer existed, 

 (as mankind are always apt to fly from 

 one extreme to the other) houses were 

 universally erected in the lowest situa- 

 tions, with a probable design to avoid 

 those inconveniences to which the lofty 

 positions had been subject : hence the 

 frequent sites of many large mansions, 

 and particularly abbeys and monasteries. Abbeys in 

 the residence of persons who were willing 

 to sacrifice the beauty of prospect for the 

 more solid and permanent advantages of why 



1 1 •, 1 , . . 1 • 1 situiuedlow 



liabitable convenience; amongst which, 

 shelter from wind, and a supply of water 

 for store fish-ponds, were predominant 

 considerations. Nor shall I withhold the 

 foUov/ing conjecture, which I hope will 

 not be considered as a mere sujra'cstion 

 of fancy: — When such buildings were 

 surrounded by trees, for the comfort of 

 shade; might not the occasional want 



