PART IX, 



A COUNTRY RESIDENCE. 



preserved ; and even, in some situations, avenues to mansions, 

 as at Fonthill, or straight private roads through monotonous 

 cultivated countries, as near Wimpole and Wilton, or public 

 ones passing along eminences, as at Callender, may be created 

 with great advantage. The new approach which I designed 

 for North Berwick will pass through a straight level avenue 

 one mile in length, already formed, and containing as its 

 termination North Berwick Law. At the end of this avenue 

 the road enters a winding valley, with the law or mountain 

 close on the right, shewing a towering cone of wood, 

 rock, and pasture; and on the left the irregular boundary 

 of a plantation in the forest style. It winds in this valley 

 sometimes under perpendicular rocks at the base of the law ; 

 at other times through a smooth surface of verdure ; sometimes 

 the wood descends to the road, and appears to stretch across 

 the valley ; and at other times it retires into dark recesses : 

 every where it is broken by thickets of thorns and hollies, 

 mingled with forest trees ; which, with the rocks and cattle, form 

 new combinations on every movement of the spectator. This 

 style will continue another mile, until, entering a thick wood, 

 and crossing a brook, it will ascend to the intended mansion. 

 The west and north approaches are shorter and widely different, 

 but equally interesting. One of these passes along high 

 grounds, and exhibits extensive prospects of the sea, Edinburgh, 

 the noble view of Dirleton Castle, and the opposite coast of the 

 Forth : another passes through the marine village of North 



