This view is a perfect landscape, while that from the tower is rather a prospect; it is of such a nature as not to be well represented by painting; because its excellence depends upon a state of the atmosphere which is very hostile to the painter's art. An extensive prospect is most admired when the distant objects are most clear and distinct; but the painter can represent his distances only by a certain haziness and indistinctness, which is termed aerial perspective. I cannot dismiss this subject without expressing the pleasure which was excited in my mind, on finding a lofty tower erected by the present possessor, and consecrated as a tribute of respect and gratitude to that gallant Commander, for his public services, who derived his title of HEATHFIELD from this domain, and his military glory from the rock of Gibraltar. Over the door is inscribed in large letters, made from the metal of the gunboats destroyed, CALPES DEFENSORI. [TO THE DEFENDER OF GIBRALTAR.]
