It is the gate, and not the dwelling of the person who opens it, that ought to partake of the character of the house, where architectural display is necessary; and this principle seems to point out the true mode of marking the entrance to a place. Instead of depopulating villages, and destroying hamlets in the neighbourhood of a palace, I should rather wish to mark the importance of the mansion, and the wealth of its domain, by the appearance of proper provision for its poor dependants; the frequent instances I have witnessed, where the industrious labourer had many miles to walk from his daily task, have strongly enforced the necessity, not to say the humanity, of providing comfortable and convenient residences for those who may have employment about the grounds. It is thus that the real importance of a place might be distinguished by the number of cottages, or, rather, substantial houses, appropriated to the residence of those belonging to the place; this would truly enrich the scenery of a country, by creating a village at the entrance of every park; it is not by their number only, but by the attention to the neatness, comfort, and simple ornament of such buildings, that we should then judge of the style of the neighbouring palace; and whether the houses were of clay and thatched, or embellished with the ornaments of architecture, there would be equal opportunity for the display of good taste.
