SEATS 13 



completely encircle the trunk of a tree, though these are 

 hardly so comfortable, and moreover have not the sociable 

 appearance of the others. A disadvantage, which certainly 

 attends permanent resting-places which are not in con- 

 stant use, is that they soon become dirty. To obviate 

 this, there is a bench made with a hinged back, which 

 falls over and protects the seat when not in use. It is a 

 good plan where seats are stood by the side of grass paths, 

 or in situations where the ground is likely to be somewhat 

 damp, to make a small paving of bricks or odd-shaped 

 stones, this adding to the importance of the seat, and 

 making its use possible even after heavy rain. In some 

 gardens the idea is amplified, and a small brick platform 

 is made, which still further tends to lessen the effect of 

 damp, and helps to preserve the seat itself from decay. 



Iron seats are durable, and quite admissible where 

 utility and not picturesque effect is the object in view. 

 However, they should be very plainly made, without 

 adornment of any kind. Some of the designs in cast 

 iron are second only to those in rustic work in point of 

 ugliness, especially objectionable being those which are 

 embellished with bunches of grapes and complicated 

 tracery. Seats made of iron laths are apt to be somewhat 

 comfortless, but this may easily be overcome by making 

 a split bamboo top, which can be laid on in fine weather. 

 There is but little to recommend the iron and pitch-pine 

 seats which are to be found in every ironmonger's 

 catalogue the designs being rarely, if ever, artistic, and 

 the plain wood are much nicer, and offer a far greater 

 choice. When purchasing this class of furniture, it is 

 well to give a good price and obtain something worth 

 looking at ; if economy is desirable and only third-rate 

 designs can be afforded, it will be far better to be content 

 with a home-made bench, which, if not pretentious, may 

 be at least artistic. Of course this will not be of a port- 

 able nature, strength rather than elegance being the object 



