SUBURBAN EESIDENCES. 



" This is a quality more or less desirable in all small residences ; and in the vicinity of 

 large cities, it may bo regarded as indispensable. Of course it does not consist in the 

 exclusion of light and air ; neither does it suppose the shutting-out of fine views, whether 

 at hand or at a distance. It is rather the protection of the family from that exposure 

 to public gaze which would prevent them from using any part of their grounds as freely 

 and comfortably as they would their drawing-room. A certain amount of privacy, at least, 

 is essential to that rural feeling which is a principal charm in retirement from the bustle of 

 city life. Some individuals, indeed, seem to have a particular fancy for displaying their 

 flower-beds and lawns to the eyes of the public ; a taste, we humbly think, more suited to 

 hotel establishments, than to the abodes of private families. We Avould have' the greater 

 portion of the villa grounds to be possessed of the characters of complete seclusion. At the 

 same time, the error arising from the excess of this quality — the dull, gloomy insipidity 

 caused by over-planting and an over-aifectation of privacy — is to bo carefully guarded 

 against. On level or gently-sloping surfaces, the proper amount of seclusion may generally 

 be obtained by building the boundary walls from eight to ten feet high. On surfaces with 

 a considerable declivity, sach walls will be found insufficient; and as no considerable addi- 

 tion can be made to their height, nor indeed, if added, would prove effectual, the object 

 aimed at must be attained by planting trees and shrubs, which will have to grow for sev- 

 eral years, before they afford the desired shelter. As the size of villa residences increases 

 the difficulties in regard to privacy diminish, as there is room for enlarged masses of trees 

 and shrubs, and the whole place naturally assumes the character of a common country resi- 

 dence." 



Another English writer,* who is also a thoroughly practical man of great experi- 

 ence, says : 



" Few characteristics of a garden contribute more to render it agreeable than snugness 

 and seclusion. They serve to make it appear peculiarly one's own, converting it into a kind 

 of sanctum. A place that has neither of these qualities, might almost as well be public 

 property. Those who love their garden, often want to walk, work, ruminate, read, romp, 

 or examine the various changes and developments of Nature, in it; and to do so unob- 

 served. All that attaches us to a garden, and renders it a delightful and cherished object, 

 seems dashed and marred, if it has no privacy. It is a luxury to walk, sit, or reclhio at 

 ease, on a summer's day, and drink in the sights, and sounds, and perfumes, peculiar to 

 a garden, without fear of interruption ; or of dress, or attitude, or occupation being observed 

 and criticised. 



" Something more, however, than mere privacy is involved in the idea of snugness. It 

 includes shelter, warmth, shade ; agreeable seats for rest, arbors for a rural meal, anl vel- 

 vety slopes of turf, overshadowed or variously chequered by foliage, to recline upon. A 

 room that may fitly be called snug, is small in its dimensions, and rather amply furnished, 

 with its window not open at any point to the j)ublic gaze. A garden, likewise, to deserve 

 the same epithet, should have its principal or subordinate parts of rather contracted limits, 

 be furnished somewhat liberally with tall-growing plants and trees, which will produce 

 some degree of shade, and present an air of comparative isolation. 



" Where there is sufficient extent, it is probably better to have one or more small nooks, 

 or partially detached gardens of a particular kind, to realise something of bothsnugaesi and 

 seclusion, and give the leading and broader portions of the garden a more airy and 



* IIow to lay <nU a small Oar den — by Edwabd Ekmp. 



