TJlc Country Gcntlcinaiis Maga:::iuc 



(lour of their leafy shade. For if planting 

 fresh trees brings pleasure, it also brings pain ; 

 for we grow old faster than do the trees, and 

 while we hope to see them in their vigour 

 and to enjoy them in their beauty, we only, 

 in fact, as Repton suggestively puts it, " look 

 for years upon the fence which protects them." 

 But in any case, whether the site selected has 

 already its growth of trees, or whether they 

 must be planted, it is of importance to con- 

 sider their relation to the house which is to 

 occupy the site. We frequently see trees 

 planted right in front of the house, the very 

 worst position which they can occupy ; for if 

 the prospect and aspect chosen are chosen 

 upon the principle and for the reasons 

 we have already explained, what can trees 

 in such a position do but mar and spoil them? 

 Trees always give dignity to a house when 

 they flank, rarely when they front them. Nor 

 should the degree of their contiguity to the 

 house be everlooked, as overlooked it often 



31 



is, although a point of great importance. 

 Shelter is never obtained in its full and most 

 useful effect from trees except when they are 

 in masses, and masses always have a bad 

 effect upon a house when placed near it. 

 They exclude light and air, and create damp- 

 ness ; and to such an extent do they do all 

 this, that we venture to maintain that, so 

 placed, they always make a house unhealthy. 

 Shelter is best obtained — we here speak of 

 direct shelter — by the arrangement of the 

 house itself, and by the use of that feature, 

 which is too seldom the feature of the farm- 

 house — the verandah. But if trees are made 

 to flank a house, and at a good distance from 

 it, they add to the site one of the finest orna- 

 ments, one of the highest sources of pleasure; 

 not but what an isolated tree or two, placed 

 or kept in proper relative position to the 

 house door, may be made in like manner to 

 jjlease the eye and gratify the taste. 



DESIGNS FOR MANSIONS, VILIAS, AND COTTAGES. 



IN placing before our readers designs for 

 the erection of mansions, villas, and 

 cottages, we find it impossible to lay down 

 any fixed rule as to the order in which they 

 shall appear. This month we give 



1. Elevation and Ground Plan of a Subur- 



ban Villa, suitable for a small family 

 (see pages 28 and 29) and 



2. Front and Side Elevation and Ground 



Plan of a Cottage suitable for an 

 Entrance Lodge or Gardener's House. 

 The first plan is designed with the view of 

 the greatest amount of accommodation, at the 

 least possible outlay. The ground plan suffi- 

 ciently explains itself: if any objection to it 

 can be advanced, it is that the entrance door 

 of the dining-room is placed at the end of the 

 passage opposite the kitchen. It should have 

 been made at the end nearest the drawing- 

 room ; for although objectionable even in that 

 position, from its proximity to the fire-place, 

 that is the lesser evil of the two. The plan 

 of the chamber floor is not shewn ; but it con- 

 tains four bedroms and a dressing-closet and 



bath-room, the latter being over the hall. 

 The attics, which are to the back, contain a 

 servant's bed-room and two other rooms. 

 The estimated cost is ^1160. 



Design for an Entrance Lodge— Groi:nd Plan. 



Design, No. 2. is adapted for an entrance- 

 lodge, gardeners' house, or labourer's cottage ; 

 and contains the least accommodation which 



