SOIL AXD SUBSOIL OF THE SITE. 3 



modifications peculiar to themselves. These variations, 

 though inconsiderable on flat sui'faces, are sufficiently 

 marked on undulating and hilly ones. Southern ex- 

 posures are decidedly superior in point of vrarmth to 

 northern slopes, or places lying towards the east or 

 west. Good sites are found in the latter direction, but 

 they are occasionally inclement; when such positions 

 are selected they should occupy, if possible, a western 

 dech^dty on the east, and an eastern declivity on the 

 west side of the countiy. High and exposed situations 

 are cold, but have a clear and bracing atmosphere. 

 "Windy positions are to be avoided ; as also those which 

 are exposed to draughts of cold air, a peculiarity less 

 apparent to slight inspection than the other, but not 

 less disagreeable and injurious in its efiects. Aware of 

 this, the inhabitants of hilly countries generally place 

 the ends of theii' houses towards the length of the 

 valleys, as the winds for the most part sweep up and 

 down them in whatever direction they run; and by 

 this arrangement the houses are assailed by fewer cross 

 di'aughts than when they are set down across the valley. 

 In diy well-sheltered localities, near the sea-coast, these 

 peculiarities of climate are less frequently experienced 

 than in more inland regions. 



Soil and Subsoil of the Site. — The natm^e of the 

 soil and subsoil of a place have a much greater in- 

 fluence on its climate than at fii'st sight might be sup- 

 posed. In om' visits to country residences, we have 

 often foimd remarkable differences of cHmate, which 

 could be assigned to no other cause. Those on light 

 dry soils and subsoils seemed cheeiful and agi'eeable 

 during winter, while others in the same district, ^^'iih 

 wet soils and retentive subsoils, were damp, miuldy, and 



B 2 ^ 



