This panorama is indeed
glorious, and I should rejoice in it but for the excess of its
glory. The taste of all the architects I have ever known leads them,
for the sake of 'prospect,' to put up buildings on hill-tops. The
error is obvious. Grandeur in any of its moods, but especially in that
of extent, startles, excites- and then fatigues, depresses. For the
occasional scene nothing can be better- for the constant view
nothing worse. And, in the constant view, the most objectionable phase
of grandeur is that of extent; the worst phase of extent, that of
distance. It is at war with the sentiment and with the sense of
seclusion- the sentiment and sense which we seek to humor in 'retiring
to the country.' In looking from the summit of a mountain we cannot
help feeling abroad in the world. The heart-sick avoid distant
prospects as a pestilence."
It was not until toward the close of the fourth year of our search
that we found a locality with which Ellison professed himself
satisfied. It is, of course, needless to say where was the locality.
The late death of my friend, in causing his domain to be thrown open
to certain classes of visiters, has given to Arnheim a species of
secret and subdued if not solemn celebrity, similar in kind,
although infinitely superior in degree, to that which so long
distinguished Fonthill.
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