664 THE CHOICE OF A SITUATION" BOOK III. 



racter of his ground, would excite the attention of all those 

 whose object in view was such a character; consequently a 

 more violent competition would take place than when the in- 

 tended purchasers were mixed; some wishing to have it; others 

 indifferent, and many attending only with a view to purchase 

 in case of its appearing a bargain. 



2. A gentleman wishing to make a purchase would attend 

 only to such estates or situations as suited his particular object 

 in view; and though he purchased these at a somewhat higher 

 rate than usual, yet having less to expend in counteracting 

 either nature or the operations of the former proprietor, it be- 

 comes in the end the cheapest bargain ; and, as the character is 

 just such as he wanted, it is also the most pleasant one. 



I am far from supposing that ever any thing of this kind will 

 take place upon a large scale, and in a suitableness to the dif- 

 ferent class of purchasers which are to be taken notice of; but 

 I have been induced to offer these hints, from often observing 

 with deep regret, that some of the finest scenery in the united 

 kingdom falls into the hands of purchasers, to whom it not only 

 appears of no value above the ordinary appearance of nature, 

 but who hate, and consequently as far as in their power destroy, 

 what they can neither enjoy nor turn to profit. I could illus- 

 trate this' by referring to three of the finest estates in the west 



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