RURAL ORNAMENTS. 67 



with tlie useful : and when this is accomplished, the success is com- 

 plete. The ornamenting of grounds with buildings prevailed among 

 the ancients, and consisted principally of temples, terraces, statues, 

 fountains, &c., constructed of marble, stone, and reticulated brick- 

 work; and were generally of a description that could not at all 

 times assimilate with rural elegance. 



Rural scenery, in the grounds of a country residence, is now 

 made to accord with the simple, or the magnificent scenes, which 

 nature offers to the view ; and in all the ornaments introduced, there 

 must be an agreement with those respective scenes, at all times 

 preserving the character of the useful and the elegant. 



Part of the villa may be shown from a summer-house with good 

 effect ; particularly if it be seen at a moderate distance and through 

 trees, which by the opposition of colour will improve the glance at 

 the house, and also excite pleasing ideas of home, comfort, and the 

 charms of rural elegance. Vases and statues, tastefully disposed 

 about the pleasure-grounds, have a pleasing effect ; and, in extensive 

 shrubberies, the arrangement of statues and busts, if numerous, 

 should be directed by classical taste, that they may be disposed 

 with propriety and truth : no greater absurdity can appear, than 

 such decorations indiscriminately mixed, or without literary order. 

 " Classical associations," Stewart observes, " have added immensely 

 to our natural resources ; but at the same time have warped our 



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