194 PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



is often a happy situation ; for though it may occasionally 

 suffer from high winds, it will enjoy a purer and drier 

 atmosphere than is to be found lower down in the valley. 

 We do not object to flat surfaces, provided they are 

 formed of light porous soils. Deep clay and retentive 

 subsoils ought, by all means, to be avoided. A facility for 

 perfect drainage ought to be regarded as an indispensable 

 property in a villa residence. The soil should be rather 

 light than otherwise, and certainly should not approach 

 to strong clay, as the latter has a tendency to create 

 damp, to make the climate cold and the garden late, to 

 prevent the walks from drying rapidly, and to impart, 

 during most kinds of weather, a raw uncomfortable 

 aspect to the grounds. It is further to be noted, that 

 direct and immediate proximity to some great frequented 

 thoroughfare is far from being desirable : for in such 

 places the dust, blown from the public road in dry 

 seasons, often amounts to a positive nuisance. 



Roads, — At first sight the reader may suppose that the 

 villa has little to do with public roads, as it seldom requires 

 a long approach, and may seem to have no other connec- 

 tion with the subject. Such, however, is too hasty a con- 

 clusion. Public roads are of about as much importance 

 to a villa as an approach is to a mansion-house in the 

 country. Unless the roads in a district are well formed 

 and kept in good repair, most of the comfort and enjoy- 

 ,,, ment yielded by an otherwise perfect site, will be in 

 great measure neutralized. What is more disagreeable 

 than to drive or wade through a rugged lane or ill-kept 

 parish road, in order to reach a country-house? To 

 persons about to form residences in such localities, we 

 would say. Be not deceived with the idea that these roads 

 are easily ameliorated : the public boards who have the 



