uresque; and it stood
so completely embosomed in rich and variegated foliage, and commanded
so fine a swell of landscape, that the visitor must be cold indeed who
could approach it with the compass of Palladio in one hand, and the
square of Inigo Jones in the other. We entered and looked around us.

[Footnote 425: Lorenzo was not unmindful that it had been
observed by Lipsius (_Syntag. de Bibliothecis_) and, after
him, by Thomasinus (_de Donar. et Tabell-votiv._ c. 3. p.
37.) that the ancients generally built their libraries near
to, or adjoining their _Temples_; "ut veram seram sedem
sacratorum ingenii faetuum loca sacra esse ostenderent:"
BIBLIOTHECAS (inquit) procul abesse (sc. a TEMPLIS)
noluerunt veteres, ut ex praeclaris ingeniorum monumentis
dependens mortalium, gloria, in Deorum tutela esset. This I
gather from Spizolius's _Infelix Literatus_: p. 462.]

Those who have relished the mild beauties of Wynants' pictures would
be pleased with the view from the Alcove of Lorenzo. The country
before was varied, undulating, and the greater part, highly
cultivated. Some broad-spreading oaks here and there threw their
protecting arms round the humble saplings; and some aspiring elms
frequently reared their lofty heads, as land-marks across the county.
The copses skirted the higher grounds, and a fine park-wood covered
the middle part of the landscape in one broad umbrageous tone of
colouring. It was not the close rusticity of Hobbima--or the
expansive, and sometimes complicated, scenery of Berghem--or the
heat-oppressive and magnificent views of Both--that we contemplated;
but, as has been before observed, the mild and gentle scenery of
Wynants; and if a cascade or dimpling brook had been near us, I could
have called to my aid the transparent pencil of Rysdael, in order to
impress upon the reader a proper notion of the scenery. But it is high
time to make mention of the conversation which ensued among the
tenants of this Alcove.

LOREN. I am heartily glad we are met under such propitious
circumstances. What a glorious day!

ALMAN. Have you recovered, Sir, the immense fatigue you must have
sustained from the exertions of yesterday? My brother has no mercy
upon a thoroughly-versed book guest!

LYSAND. I am indeed quite hearty: yet, if any thing heavy and
indigested hung about me, would not the contemplation of such a
landscape, and such a day, restore every thing to it