10 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



would have spoken directly to the eye, and not have 

 been beholden to the imperfect medinm of words for the 

 occasional telling of its history. Of course the same 

 excuse cannot be made for error committed in the erec- 

 tion of a new mansion, or in the rebuilding of one of 

 little historical or family importance : and yet a pic- 

 turesque view will sometimes seduce a man to set down 

 a house on a narrow pinnacle where there is scarcely 

 room for a dovecot. Want of judgment like this is not 

 unworthily repaid by subsequent expense and incon- 

 venience. 



Style of the House. — This is a matter which in all 

 its bearings does not come within our province. The 

 rank, the fortune, and the taste of the proprietor are all 

 entitled to be consulted, and to have their weight in its 

 determination. Still it is universally conceded that the 

 style of the house should have some adaptation to its 

 site and to the character of the scenery by which it is 

 surrounded. Much has been written on the subject, and 

 much has been said about one style for the beautiful, 

 another for the picturesque, and yet another for the 

 romantic. We confess ourselves unromantic enough to 

 think that a comfortably arranged interior is of greater 

 moment to the proprietor than the finest exterior can 

 possibly be. At the same time a good external appear- 

 ance is not a matter of trifling importance, nor is it 

 incompatible with a good internal arrangement. A pro- 

 prietor of refined taste will naturally wish that his 

 house should unite both of these desirable qualities, and 

 at the same time that it should be properly adapted to 

 its site and position in the park. Before beginning to 

 build, it is well to consider what style is best suited to 

 the locality. Undoubtedly the style should be selected 



