the north, and a
wood on the east.

"The shell, you see, is both agreeable and convenient; and now you
shall judge, whether I have laid out the floor to advantage. There
goes through the whole length of it a spacious walk of the finest
gravel, made to bind and unite so firmly, that it seems one
continued stone; with this advantage, that it is easier to the
foot, and better for walking, than if it were what it seems to be.
At each end of the walk, on the one and on the other side of it,
lies a square plot of grass of the finest turf and brightest
verdure. What ground remains on both sides, between these little
smooth fields of green, is flagged with large quarries of white
marble, where the blue veins trace out such a variety of irregular
windings through the clear surface, that these bright plains seem
full of rivulets and streaming meanders. This to my eye, that
delights in simplicity, is inexpressibly more beautiful than the
chequered floors which are so generally admired by others. Upon the
right and upon the left, along the gravel walk, I have ranged
interchangeably the bay, the myrtle, the orange and the lemon
trees, intermixed with painted hollies, silver firs, and pyramids
of yew; all so disposed, that every tree receives an additional
beauty from its situation; besides the harmony that rises from the
disposition of the whole, no shade cuts too strongly, or breaks in
harshly upon the other; but the eye is cheered with a mild rather
than gorgeous diversity of greens.

"The borders of the four grass plots are garnished with pots of
flowers: those delicacies of Nature create two senses at once, and
leave such delightful and gentle impressions upon the brain, that I
cannot help thinking them of equal force with the softest airs of
music, toward the smoothing of our tempers. In the centre of every
plot is a statue. The figures I have made choice of are a Venus, an
Adonis, a Diana, and an Apollo; such excellent copies, as to raise
the same delight as we should draw from the sight of the ancient
originals.

"The north wall would have been but a tiresome waste to the eye, if
I had not diversified it with the most lively ornaments, suitable
to the place. To this intent, I have been at the expense to lead
over arches from a neighbouring h