372 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



therefore, of whatever character, the comfort and con- 

 venience of the various members of the family being the 

 first and most important consideration, the quaHty of 

 fitness is universally appreciated and placed in the first 

 rank. In many of those articles of furniture or apparel 

 which luxury or fashion has brought into use, fitness or 

 convenience often gives way to beauty of form or texture : 

 but in a habitation intended to shelter us from the heat 

 and cold, as well as to give us an opportunity to dispense 

 the elegant hospitalities of refined life — the neglect of the 

 various indispensable conveniences and comforts which 

 an advanced state of civilization requires, would be but 

 poorly compensated for by a fanciful exterior or a highly 

 ornate style of building. Further than this, fitness will 

 extend to the choice of situation ; selecting a sheltered 

 site, neither too high, as upon the exposed summit of bleak 

 hills, nor too low, as in the lowest bottoms of damp 

 valleys ; but preferring those middle grounds which, while 

 they aflbrd a free circulation of air, and a fine prospect, 

 are not detrimental to the health or enjoyment of the 

 occupants. A proper exposure is another subject, worthy 

 of the attention of either the architect or proprietor, as 

 there are stormy and pleasant aspects or exposures in all 

 climates. 



However much the principle o^ fitness may be appre- 

 ciated and acted upon in the United States, we have 

 certainly great need of apology for the flagrant and almost 

 constant violation of the second principle, viz. the exp^e'n- 

 sion of purpose. By the expression of purpose in 

 buildings, is meant that architectural character, cr 

 ensemble, which distinctly points out the particdar use or 

 destination for which the edifice is intended. In a 



