30 



The Country Gcntlcinaiis AIaga:;inc 



by painters, especially when the landscape consists of 

 large masses of forest trees, and thickets richly hang- 

 ing down the sides of an opposite hill. An aspect 

 open to the north-east would be objectionable during 

 the cold winds of spring, unless the building could be 

 effectually sheltered by an impenetrable screen of trees, 

 rising ground, or other defence against the wind." 



The author further remarks that the south- 

 west aspect should be sheltered by a planta- 

 tion, and the offices should be erected in that 

 •situation, and again says : — 



"It is very common for admirers of landscape 

 or natural scenery, to overlook the difference between 

 a tree and a pole, or between a grove of old trees and 

 a plantation of young ones. We fancy that time will 

 reconcile us to the difference, but alas ! we grow old 

 as fast as the trees, and while we dot and clump a few 

 straddling saplings on an open lawn, we indulge hopes 

 of seeing trees, while, in fact, we only live to see the 

 clumsy fence by which, for many years, they must be 

 protected. Happy is the proprietor of the soil who 

 becomes possessed of large trees already growing on 

 the land he purchases, since no price can buy the 

 effect of years, or create a full-grown wood ; and with- 

 out this we may possess a garden or a shrubbery, but 

 not a landseape. This consideration alone is sufficient 

 to attach us to the venerable avenue, which it would 

 be a sort of sacrilege to desert, and whose age and 

 beauty will give an immediate degree of importance to 

 the house, which could never be expected in any more 

 open part of an estate. " 



After aspect^ Repton gives some excellent 

 suggestions on other important essentials in 

 selecting a site for a house. This second is 

 that of levels ; and regarding these he speaks 

 as follows : — 



"This is an object of much more importance than 

 is generally supposed. We frequently see houses 

 placed, for the sake of the prospect, so high, that they 

 are annoyed by every wind ; and others, for the sake 

 of shelter, so low, that they are flooded by every heavy 

 fall of rain, or by the sudden melting of the snow. 

 The site should be on a sufficient eminence to enjoy 

 prospect, and yet to be sheltered from the sea winds ; 

 the gi-ound should, by nature, fall gently from it in every 

 direction, except towards the north ; and in that direc- 

 tion it can easily be made to do so by art ; this is 

 necessary to prevent any damps from the hill, and to 

 provide a sufficient drainage for the house and offices, 

 all of which will require very little cost or labour. 

 If this be done the site may be pronounced jDerfect 

 with respect to its levels. 



"3dly, Objects of convenience should be studied, 

 of which the first is the supply of water. This is an 

 object of great importance, yet I have frequently seen 

 large houses placed where no water can be had, but 

 by aqueducts, or distant land-carringe ; and, as it is 



not only for the constant use of the family, that water 

 is essential, but as a security in case of fire, some great 

 reservoir, or tank, ought always to be provided near 

 the house. 



"4thly, There should be sufficient space to contain 

 all the numerous appendages of comfort and con- 

 venience, as offices and office-courts, stables, and yards 

 for wood, coals, linen, &c. , all which should be near ; 

 and others, at no great distance, such as kitchen- 

 garden, melon-ground, poultry-yard, timber-yard, ice- 

 house, &c. These, if possible, should be on the con- 

 trary side of the house to the flower-garden, conser- 

 vatory, and pheasantry, which are naturally connected 

 with pleasure-ground. 



" 5thly. Relative objects, or such as, though not im- 

 mediately belonging, must be considered as relating to 

 the place, and, therefore, must be properly connected 

 with it — viz., the post-towns, the church and village, 

 and the sea ; to all which there must be roads, and 

 these may be made highly ornamental, useful, and 

 convenient, or the contrary. 



Another important point in the placing of 

 the house on the site is the relation of trees 

 to the house. " Happy the man," some one 

 has remarked, " who obtains a site on which 

 there are already trees the growth of bye-past 

 years ;" but there are always two sides to a 

 question, and it may be said, per contra, that 

 " Happy is the man who has to plant trees 

 near the site of his house, and lives to see 

 them grow," for in the latter case it can 

 always be said that such satisfaction is ob- 

 tainable, as can be obtained, from the circum- 

 stance that associations, generally of a pleasant 

 character, cluster round these clumps and 

 scattered patches. His own hand has planted 

 them, or his taste directed in what position 

 they were to be planted ; they are the owner's 

 own trees — his " very own ;" he has watched 

 them in their first feebleness, rejoiced in their 

 growing strength, and may look forward to 

 the time, if he does not speedily enjoy it, 

 Avhen he may find shelter in their shade. On 

 the other hand, if the site is already. furnished ' 

 with trees which other hands planted, and 

 the gradual growth of which other eyes have 

 watched and waited for, there is in the fact 

 something Avorth being satisfied with. They 

 are to his mind, and under the directions of 

 his taste— or the want of it — whether they 

 are to be ruthlessly cut down, or to be left 

 to adorn his house with all the dignity 

 of gnarled trunk and bole, and all the splen- 



