PART VII. PICTURESQUE IMPROVEMENT. 411 



plicity; creepers, to add intricacy and variety; or by judi- 

 cious breaks or openings* in the masonry, for the same pur- 

 pose. In some cases they may even be improved by slight addi- 

 tions of masonry, in the same style, or by adding small towers or 

 turrets, battlements, or similar parts. Both modes of improve- 

 ment have come under my practice at North Berwick Abbey, 

 and Machany. Buildings no longer necessary, as old mansions, 

 cottages, offices of any kind, and even garden walls or gate- 

 ways, may often form ruins which, if not always highly inte- 

 resting in an intellectual or historical point of view, yet serve 

 one of the grand purposes of buildings, by giving spirit and 

 effect to verdant scenery. Such objects should never, as is 

 commonly the case, be removed without mature thought; for 

 to the picturesque improver no artificial circumstance can be 

 so fortunate, or furnish so many hints for interesting com- 

 positions. 



At Luss there are the remains of an old garden which for many 

 years has been in a state of general neglect ; the surrounding 

 walls are of considerable height, and formed of stone masonry ; 

 they are partly covered with ivy and trees, which have sprung 



* An abortive attempt of this kind has been made at Collington House, from the 

 suggestions of a drawing-master in, Edinburgh ; but from endeavouring to effect 

 too much, the subject operated upon is rendered worse than before it was altered. 



3g2 



