436 



seciirc a variety of aspects, consistent with the irregularity of offices, 

 and other necessary appendages to a country mansion. The spirit of the 

 Gothic style, more than any other, admits of this irregularity ; and hence, 

 the prevalence of that style in modern country residences. Among the 

 advantages of this irregular style, one is, that it readily admits of addi- 

 tions in almost any direction, without compromising the character of the 

 tout ensemble. When, however, a rigid adherence to the principles of 

 good taste is aimed at, this style may not be always in keeping with the 

 character of the neighboring grounds or surrounding country. Perhaps 

 the more regular style of the Roman, or the simple style of the Grecian, 

 would be more in place. In this case, the offices and erections for farm- 

 ing purposes might better form a distinct and distant feature in the land- 

 scape, or otherwise be concealed by trees, shrubbery, or walls behind 

 the house. 



The Lawjt. — Whatever may be the style of the house, it is almost 

 indispensable to a good residence to have a greater or less breadth of 

 lawn extending in difl'erent directions from the principal front. This may 

 be comprehended in one, or a series of terraces, or on a level, according 

 to the position of the house and taste of the owner. Thanks to modern 

 taste, and modern gardening, it is no longer considered necessary to have 

 a square, or quadrangular hedged-in, or walled-in depository of plants 

 to be called a garden. The whole lawn, or a portion of it, may be made 

 available for a flower-garden, and will aflford scope for a display of tas-te 

 either of the most simple or the most elaborate — but this part of the sub- 

 ject I shall resume in iLs proper place. 



At this juncture, it is to be presumed that the woodman has spared 

 many trees, either single specimens, or groups, or both — for that reck- 

 less demolition of every tree and shrub round many settlements is lament- 

 able to behold, and cannot be too highly reprobated. Well may they be 

 called clearings ; to-day, the noble denizens of the forest proudly wave 

 their heads in stately grandeur, impressing the beholder with the power 

 and majesty of nature ; but to-morrow, alas, reveals another scene ! The 

 ruthless age has robbed fair nature of her ornaments, and left instead a 

 wilderness of ghostly stumps, guarded on every side — as if in very 

 mockery of their stability — with bristling lines of zig-zag fences. Here, 

 amidst this desolate array of stumps and rails, a family of young chil- 

 dren have to be reared, and what else can be expected but that the minds 

 of the latter will be as destitute of ideality and refinement as the aspect 



