133 



off the softer lines, tints, and shadows of 

 the distance. The old decorated fore- 

 grounds were manifestly artificial, and 

 therefore by modern improvers may be 

 reckoned formal ; but there is a wide dif- 

 ference between an avowed and character- 

 istic formality, and a formality not less 

 real, but which assumes the airs of ease 

 and playfulness — between that which is 

 disguised by the effect of high dress and 

 ornament * and that whose undisguised 

 baldness has no air of decoration to' con- 

 ceal, or ennoble its character. I will en- 

 deavour to explain this by an example : 

 A broad dry walk near the house is indis- 



* There is an anecdote of Lord Stair, when Ambassador 

 at the Court of France, so characteristic of the effect of 

 high and dignified formality in dress and appearance, that 

 though it may be familiar to many of my readers, I cannot 

 forbear mentioning it. Lord Stair was determined, upon 

 system, to treat Louis XIV. with some degree of arro- 

 gance, and endeavour to bully him. Upon trial, however, 

 he could not go through with it ; and, afterwards, in giving 

 an account of his intention and his failure, he said, *■* J'avoue 

 " que la vieille machine m'a impose." 



