THE TERRACE 73 



interruption by false steps or labored effort. The different 

 parts or stories of the house become more interesting and 

 comfortable looking, viewed from different terraces suc- 

 cessively. The house seems to fit itself more intimately 

 to the curves and folds of the land, and, at least in the 

 case of the house of moderate dimensions, to nestle in 

 the hollows of its terraces as if it proposed, in sober 

 fact, to be a hiding place and refuge, a very fortress 

 of protection against all stress of storm and vicis- 

 situdes of life. Carrying out the same idea of fitting 

 terraces to the hills, we may curve and fold them into 

 the shape of the ground, never failing to seek the slope 

 of the ogee form rather than the sharp, rectangular, rail- 

 road-embankment line, although the rectangular slope 

 has its place, which is generally on more level ground. 

 But in speaking of the appropriateness of broad, level 

 terraces for steep hillsides, in accordance with the same 

 idea that prompted the builders of the Renaissance villas 

 to hang them on terraces on the hillsides of Italy, we 

 should not attempt to limit the use of the terrace, pro- 

 vided the size and shape of the house is fitted to it. 

 Gentle slopes may lend themselves delightfully to the 

 terrace form, and even on level ground the house may 

 rise ^^ith dignity and increased effectiveness from the 

 midst of a broad platform of terraces right and left. 

 Only it may be that the harmony of the proportion of 

 the comparative width and length of house and terrace 

 may be badly adjusted, or it may be that the fair surface 

 of the velvet la\\Ti of the terrace may be disfigured 

 with crude effects of coleus and geranium, or still more 

 marred with improperly used statues and fountains and 

 clipped yews and privets. This unfortunate result can- 

 not be said to be a characteristic fault of the terrace, 



