410 



PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. 



BOOK I. 



regular, they should have something of that appearance ; where 

 high and narrow, or pointed, a single tower of considerable 

 height is proper. In the designs, treatise, and models, given 

 in by me for forming a residence at North Berwick, the hill of 

 that name is intended to be included in the park : it is of a re- 

 gular conical shape, of considerable height, and fertile to the 

 top. I proposed to place an open circular Doric portico upon 

 its summit, which it is presumed will have an excellent effect 

 from all the surrounding country, and serve the chief purpose 

 of such buildings in a very uncommon degree ; that is, it will 

 shew a most extensive prospect. 



By accidental buildings, I mean ^chiefly ruins, which I sup- 

 pose either to exist as such already, or to be produced from 

 some building no longer necessary or proper in the situation. 

 The formation of artificial ruins* I have never been able to 

 reconcile with propriety and good taste : when real, they are 

 a most beautiful, characteristic, and accommodating class 

 of buildings, and are therefore highly valuable wherever they 

 exist, They may often be improved by the addition of wood ; 

 either trees and shrubs, to unite and effect breadth and sim- 



* If artificial ruins are admitted, they should always be placed in such a situa- 

 tion as to be inaccessible to the passing spectator ; otherwise, on the discovery of 

 the deception, disgust will succeed, and totally obliterate all his previous emotions 

 of pleasure. 



