214 



stone, in which (if I ma}' trust to my recol- 

 lection, and to the designs) the edge of a 

 slanting roof, with scarcely any other break 

 but that of detached chimnies, forms the 

 outline against the sky— however the sun 

 might illuminate such a summit, the spec- 

 tator would no longer think of Alcina or 

 Armida r 



I have already disclaimed all knowledge 

 of architecture as a science, and have pro- 

 fessed my intention of treating of it chiefly 

 as connected with scenery: after what \ 

 have said ofVanbrugh,it is highly necessary 

 to renew that declaration. Few persons, I 

 belieye, have in any art been guilty of more 

 faults, though few, likewise, have produced 

 more striking effects. As an author, and an 

 architect, he boldly set rules at defiance, 

 and in both those characters, completely 

 disregarded all purity of style; yet, not- 

 withstanding those defects, Blenheim and 

 Castle Howard, the Provoked Wife and the 

 Relapse will probably be admired, as long 

 as the English nation or language shall con- 

 tinue to exist. 



