THE HOUSE. After the literary controversy between Mr. Knight and me, I should be sorry to be misunderstood as casting any reflection on the castle character of Downton; for although, perhaps, some may think that its outline was directed by the eye of a painter, rather than that of an antiquary, yet its general effect must gratify the good taste of both; and I should have been happy to have shewn my assent to that style, in adopting the castle character for the house at Stanage [see figs. 175 and 176]; but this would exceed my prescribed limitation; and, since we cannot imitate the ancient baronial castle, let us endeavour to restore that sort of importance which formerly belonged to the old manor-house, where the proprietor resided among his tenants, not only to collect the rents, but to share the produce of his estate with his humble dependants; and where plenteous hospitality was not sacrificed to ostentatious refinements of luxury.
