Every one who has observed the symmetrical elevations scattered round the metropolis, and the small houses with wings, in the neighbourhood of manufacturing towns, will allow, that symmetry so applied is apt to degenerate into spruceness; and of the inconvenience of a house, separated from its offices by a long passage (however dignified by the name of colonnade), there cannot surely be a question. There is yet another principle which applies materially to BAYHAM, viz., that symmetry makes an extensive building look small, while irregularity will, on the contrary, make a small building appear large: a symmetrical house would, therefore, ill accord with the character of the surrounding country. Having expressed these objections against the application of Grecian architecture, before I describe any other style of house, I shall introduce some remarks on a subject which has much engaged my attention, viz., the adaptation of buildings not only to the situation, character, and circumstances of the scenery, but also to the purposes for which they are intended; this I shall call characteristic architecture.
