Park building.-The park is an appendage of magnificence rather than of utility, and its decorations, therefore, should partake of the character of the palace; they should appear to belong to its state and ornament; they should rather consist of covered seats, a pavilion, or a prospect room, than objects of mere use, as a hay-barn, or a cottage; because the latter may be found in any grass field, but the former denote a superior degree of importance. It has been a practice, of late, to erect a lofty tower, column, or obelisk, on the summit of the highest hill in the park; but such practice tends to lessen the apparent greatness of a place; for, as we can seldom lose sight of so conspicuous a landmark, we are, in a manner, tethered to the same object *.
*[This would not be the case with the building proposed for an eminence in Longleat Park, because this spot is everywhere surrounded by more lofty hills, and, therefore, it would only be seen occasionally along the several valleys, and would, from every point of view, become a pleasing embellishment, and not an obtrusive feature of the place.]
