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divisions, by affording the eye a scale of 

 comparison, give a greater consequence to 

 the whole. The same quantity, therefore, 

 of stone, brick, or any other material, if 

 divided into certain large portions, (as, for 

 instance, into round or square towers) will 

 not only be more varied, but appear of 

 greater magnitude, than the same quan- 

 tity of materials in one square mass ; such 

 as is often seen in houses of what is called 

 the Italian style.* I may add, that of the 



* The effect of this principle struck me very much at 

 Wollaton*, a house, which for the richness of its ornaments 

 in the near view, and the grandeur of its masses from every 

 point, yields to few, if any, in the kingdom. But it is still 

 more striking when contrasted with the neighbouring cas- 

 tle (as it is called) of Nottingham. That is a long, square 

 house of the Italian style, built in a high commanding si- 

 tuation overlooking the town. The long unvaried line of 

 the summit, and the dull uniformity of the whole mass, 

 would not have embellished any style of landscape ; but 

 such a building, on such high ground, and its outline al- 

 ways distinctly opposed to the sky, gives an impression of 

 ridicule and disgust. The hill and the town are absolutely 

 flattened by it ; while the comparatively low situation of 

 Wollaton, is so elevated by the form of the house, that it 

 seems to command the whole country round it. 



* Lord Middleton's, within two miles of Nottingham. 



