PART III. ARCHITECTURE. 149 



on each side ; and their floor within might either be level, which 

 is the most desirable, or it might be steps ascendi ng to the inner 

 door. In large streets, such as Portland Place, or George's 

 Street, Edinburgh, the appearance of large porches in succes- 

 sion would have a grand effect. They would at the same time, 

 if well constructed, add to the warmth, and somewhat also to 

 the convenience of the houses. 



2dly, The character and general magnitude of buildings in 

 towns ought to have some relation to the nature of the surface, 

 the climate, and the surrounding country. A better illustra- 

 tion of the good effect which this would have cannot be given, 

 than by referring to Edinburgh. There the old town, or origi- 

 nal city, is built upon a high ridge of rock surrounded by a 

 deep valley, formerly a large lake, and which on one side 

 separates, it from a level plain. Upon this plain is now built 

 the new town, in regular streets and squares, the houses of 

 which are all in the Grecian style, and built of a most beautiful 

 yellow freestone. The old town, on the other hand, has only 

 one principal street, which is conducted in a crooked direction 

 along the top of the ridge, commencing on a plain where is 

 built the Royal palace of Holy rood House, and after proceed- 

 ing a mile up -this ridge terminates abruptly with a large fort or 

 castle built upon a rock, which on three sides rises perpendicu- 



