Historical Sketches 



As the modern style owes its origin mainly to the English, 

 so it has also been developed and carried to its greatest 

 perfection in the British Islands. The law of primogeni- 

 ture, which has there so long existed, in itself, contributes 

 greatly to the continual improvement and embellishment 



FIG. 1. GARDEN STAIRWAY 



of those vast landed estates, that remain perpetually in the 

 hands of the same family. Magnificent buildings, added 

 to by each succeeding generation, who often preserve also 

 the older portions with the most scrupulous care; wide 

 spread parks, clothed with a thick velvet turf, which, amid 

 their moist atmosphere, preserves during great part of the 

 year an emerald greenness -- studded with noble oaks and 

 other forest trees which number centuries of growth and 

 maturity; these advantages, in the hands of the most in- 



