In consequence of the apparent want of extent in the park or lawn at ATTINGHAM, it was suggested to add many hundred acres of land to the east, by removing the hedges of the adjoining fields. This would have increased the real, without extending the apparent magnitude of the park: but I contend, that oftentimes it is the appearance, and not the reality of extent, which is necessary to satisfy the mind; for the size of the park has little reference to that of the estate of the proprietor. The land attached to a villa, near a city, may with propriety be surrounded by pales, or a wall, for the sake of privacy and seclusion; but it is absurd to enclose more of a distant domain than is necessary for the beauty of the place: besides, if this park or lawn had been extended a mile farther to the east, the confinement to the south, which is in the front of the house, would not have been done away, and, consequently, to the traveller passing the road, the apparent extent would not have been increased; and without some striking or beautiful feature, extent alone is seldom interesting.
