GENERAL PROPERTIES OF THE VILLA. 257 



two heads ; the first presenting certain general and 

 preliminary considerations, and the second containing 

 directions for the laying-out of its grounds. 



J^ote. — ^The people inhabiting the towns of the North- 

 ern United States, of all others in the world, are villa- 

 builders. The villa appears to be the summum honum 

 of worldly desire, in the way of ultimate settlement 

 in life ; and they are usually constructed with a taste 

 and convenience which, in very many instances, em- 

 body all of comfort and luxury to which a moderate 

 family need aspire, in the way of a dwelling. Erected 

 on fine grounds in an eligible position, they combine 

 all the requisites for leisure, quietude, and ease in life, 

 that a house can possibly afford; adding the advan- 

 tages of social intercourse, and the facilities to the 

 enjoyment of compact town life without its priva- 

 tions, crowding, and inconveniences. We commend 

 a close study of our author's succeeding remarks to 

 the reader. — Ed. 



Sect. I. — General Properties of the Yilla. 



The Locality. — There are certain circumstances of 

 a local nature whieli are of much consequence to the 

 proprietor of a villa. If he possesses that taste for 

 society which is common to all, except persons of re- 

 cluse habits, he will find it important to have a pleas- 

 ant vicinage, and to be placed near a respectable and 

 healthy class of population. When the villa is to be 

 formed in a suburban, or semi-suburban district, it 

 should, if possible, be set down between the city and 



