VIEWS FROM THE HOUSE. If the perfection of the art consists in shewing beauties and hiding defects, it must be previously asked, from what point of view any object is to be seen? This may be answered by stating, that the leading features of every place must be considered under the three following heads, or points of view:- Firstly. As they appear from the windows of the house. Secondly. As they appear in the approaches to the house; and Thirdly. As they appear in the walks and drives. Reversing the order in which these are placed, I shall begin by observing, that, in the last, we are at full liberty to display good features, or avoid bad ones, by altering the course of the drives, &c. In the approaches we may do the same, yet under certain restrictions, because the roads must lead to the house; but in the prospect from the windows, we have no choice of removing the point of view; it is fixed, and must be stationary: it is, therefore, necessary to study this with peculiar attention, and to ascertain what are the objects most desirable to form this permanent scenery, and how other objects may be introduced, to vary and enliven the same landscape, always seen from the same spot.
