Book IV. 



FORMING THE SCENERY OF RESIDENCES. 



1019 



the partiality of individuals, in affixing different degrees of importance to each consideration. Hence it is 

 obvious, that there can be no danger of sameness in any two designs conducted on principles thus estab- 

 lished ; since in every different situation some one or more of these considerations must preponderate ; 

 and the most rational decision will result from a combined view of all the separate advantages or disad- 

 vantages to be foreseen from each. It was the custom of former times, in the choice of domestic situa- 

 tions, to let comfort and convenience prevail over every other consideration. Thus the ancient baronial 

 castles were built on the summits of hills, in times when defence and security suggested the necessity of 

 placing them there ; and difficulty of access was a recommendation : but when this necessity no longer 

 existed, (as mankind are always apt to fly from one extreme to the other,) houses were universally 

 erected in the lowest situations, with a probable design to avoid those inconveniences to which lofty posi- 

 tions had been subject ; hence the frequent sites of many large mansions, and particularly abbeys and mo- 

 nasteries, the residence of persons who were willing to sacrifice the beauty of prospect for the more solid 

 and permanent advantages of habitable convenience ; amongst which, shelter from wind, and a supply of 

 water for store fishponds, were predominant considerations." {Enquiry, &c. p. 83.) 



7251. In hilly countries, or in any country where the surface is varied, the choice is 



neither made in the bottoms (Jig. 715. a), nor on the summits of the eminences (c), but 



716 



bad 



generally on the south-east side of the latter (b), on a raised platform, the rising grounds 

 behind being planted both for effect and shelter. 



7252. The Jield of vision, or portion of landscape ivhich the eye will comprehend, is a 

 circumstance frequently mistaken in fixing a situation for a house ; since a view seen 

 from the windows of an apartment will materially differ from the same view seen in 

 the open air. Much evidently depends on the thickness of the walls (Jig. 716.), the 

 width of the windows (a), and the distance of the spectator 

 from the aperture. Near the centre of the room (b), the 

 spectator will not enjoy above 20 or 30 degrees of vision; 

 but close to the window (c) his eye will take in from 70 to 

 100 degrees. Hence, to obtain as much of the view from a^ 

 room as possible, there should not only be windows on two 



sides of a room, but one in the angle, or an oblique or bow- 



window on each side, instead of the common form. (Obs. / 

 on Landscape Gardening, p. 24.) 



7253. The aspect of the principal rooms deserves particular attention in every case, and 

 most so in bleak or exposed situations. The south-east is most commonly the best for 

 Britain (Jig. 717.); and the south, and due 

 east, the next best. The south-west, Rep- 

 ton considers the worst, because from that 

 quarter it rains oftener than from any other ; 

 and the windows are dimmed, and the views 

 obstructed, by the slightest shower, which will 

 not be perceptible in the windows facing the 

 south or east. A north aspect is gloomy, be- 

 cause deprived of sunshine ; but it deserves to 

 be remarked, that woods and other verdant 

 objects look best when viewed from rooms so 

 placed, because all plants are most luxuriant 

 on the side next the sun. " The aspect due 

 east," he considers, " nearly as bad as the 

 north, because there the sun only shines while 

 we are in bed ; and the aspect due west is in- 

 tolerable, from the excess of sun dazzling the eye through the greatest part of the day. 

 From hence we may conclude, that a square house, placed with its fronts duly opposite 

 to the cardinal points, will have one good and three bad aspects." (Fragments on Land- 

 scape Gardening, &c. p. 108.) 



7254. A mansion for the country, if a mere square or oblong, will thus be deficient in 

 point of aspect, and certainly in picturesque beauty, or variety of external forms, lights, 

 and shades. An irregular plan, composed with a combined view to the situation, dis- 

 tant views, best aspects to the principal rooms, effect from different distant points, and as 

 forming a whole with the groups of domestic offices and other architectural appendages or 

 erections, will therefore be the best ; and as the genius of the Gothic style of architec- 

 ture is better adapted for this irregularity than the simplicity of the Grecian, or the 

 regularity of the Roman styles, it has been justly considered the best for country-resi- 

 dences. Another advantage of an irregular style is, that it readily admits of additions 

 in almost any direction. 



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