The former approach to the house [fig. 52] was on the south side of the valley, and objectionable for two reasons: 1st, it ascended the hill, and, after passing round the whole of the buildings, it descended to the house, making it appear to stand low: 2nd, by going along the side of the hill, little of the park was shewn, although the road actually passed through it; because, on an inclined plane *[This is explained in Chapter II.], the ground which either rises on one side or falls on the other, becomes foreshortened and little observed, while the eye is directed to the opposite side of the valley, which, in this instance, consisted of enclosures beyond the park. On the contrary, the proposed new approach, being on the north side of the valley, will shew the park on the opposite bank to advantage [fig. 53], and by ascending to the house, it will appear in its true and desirable situation upon a sufficient eminence above the water: yet backed by still higher ground, richly clothed with wood, this view of the house will also serve to explain and, I hope, to justify the sacrifice of those large trees which have been **[Mr Brown has been accused of cutting down large old trees, and afterwards planting small ones on the same spot; the annexed plate [our fig. 53] may serve to vindicate the propriety of his advice.] cut down upon the island, and whose dark shadows being reflected on the water, excluded all cheerfulness. [See fig. 52.]
