408 PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. BOOK I. 



character and beauty*. The convenient are such as are erected 

 chiefly for pleasure, as covered seats, retreats, &c. As already 

 observed f , these should be introduced with great caution, and 

 should rather appear deficient, as supernumerary. In character 

 they must correspond with the scenery in which they are intro- 

 duced : a hut constructed of branches of trees, not affectedly, 

 but simply, and covered with heath or thatch, forms a proper 

 shelter in a woody dell, as at Dunglass ; in one abounding with 

 rocks, it may often be more convenient to take advantage of some 

 natural projection by increasing its depth, &c. and placing seats 

 under it, as at the mountain dingle at Cannes Eskan : in more 

 elegant and magnificent walks, pieces of classical or scientific 

 architecture are equally proper, so long as the proper object and 

 use is kept in view; but when this is deviated from, and such co- 

 vered seats introduced as are to be seen at Dunkeld, Stow, Hag- 

 ley, En vile, and most English residences, the chastity and natural 

 beauty (so to speak) of the whole scenery is destroyed. Arti- 

 ficial covered seats, however, are not often necessary. In most 

 seasons, both of the year and day, in which walks are fre- 

 quented in our humid climate, the shade of a tree is much 

 more . agreeable ; and a few seats or stools, placed in different 

 spots under these, better preserve the pleasing character of na- 

 ture, which in those scenes that come under picturesque im- 



* See Architecture, and Plates VII. VIIL XXK and XXXI. 

 f See Ornamental Gardening. 



