377 



place where it seems naturally placed for conveni- 

 ence, is the most effectual method of creating sur- 

 prize. The gateway at the end of Woodstock, 

 through which Blenheim is first discovered, is one 

 of the best examples of it in that particular situa- 

 tion ; and 1 am apt to think that the plainness, and 

 even bareness in the space before the gateway, and 

 the absence of ornamental plantation, contributes 

 to the surprize and delight, which all must feel at 

 the first view of that magnificent pile of buildings ; 

 of which it has been the peculiar fate to excite in 

 almost all beholders the highest admiration, with 

 an equal repugnance to acknowledge it, and a 

 strange desire of reasoning themselves out of their 

 own feelings and impressions. 



P. 126. 1. 6. The only difference between a garden and a 

 fine sheepwalk, where oaks, beeches, thorns, hol- 

 lies, junipers, yews, &c. grew naturally, would be 

 the changing of those trees for exotics, such as 

 planes, acacias, tulip trees, pines, arbutus's, red 

 cedars, and the having the ground mowed instead 

 of fed, and the clumps dug. Now if pines, arbu- 

 tus's, laurustinus's, &c. were [mixed, as at Mount 

 Edgcumbe, in the more distant parts (and there 

 seems to be no reason against familiarizing our 

 eyes to a mixture of the most beautiful exotics 

 where the climate will suit them) the distinction 

 which would remain, and which would be almost 

 entirely reduced to mowing and digging, would not 

 be much in favour of gardens: 



