SITE OF THE VILLA. 193 



they tend to pollute the sluggish streams that often flow 

 past them, and to render the whole neighbom'hood dirty 

 and slovenly. The very worst locality of all, however, 

 is that near the general outlet of the sewerage of a city, 

 and more particidarly if the foul contents are applied to 

 purposes of irrigation, as at Edinburgh. It may be 

 added, that a locality adjacent to a poor and dirty suburb 

 should hardly be chosen. A benevolent man, indeed, 

 Avill not fail to ^isit frequently such abodes of poverty, 

 and to do what good he can in them ; but he will not 

 find his benevolence increased by obtrusive sights of 

 misery, or by the importunities to which, by his proxi- 

 mity to such scenes, he is sure to be exposed. 



Tlie Site. — Before proceeding to select a site, the 

 future proprietor should be satisfied that he has fixed on 

 a proper locality and on a neighbom-hood of easy access. 

 The site, however, is generally much less within the 

 power of absolute choice ; probably he will find the best 

 already occupied, and his only resom-ce may be to adopt 

 a secondary position, or to seek for a better in another 

 district, in all respects not so desirable. The best site 

 is one moderately elevated, with a warm sunny exposure. 

 We say, moderately elevated; and this quality should 

 be specially attended to, when the general range of the 

 surrounding country is high ; for though some sites fr^om 

 their elevation may command superior views, and may 

 afibrd comparative seclusion, yet these advantages may 

 be more than counterbalanced by their increased expo- 

 sure and greater difficulty of access. It is nevertheless 

 very desirable that there should be some tolerable views 

 from the windows of the principal rooms of the house, 

 as these ver\^ much promote the habitual cheeifidness of 

 the residence. A rounded swell or gently sloping ridge 



