296 A RAIL WA Y LA WN. 



had been thoroughly cleared away, bits of rock abounded, 

 and these had been utilized in a picturesque manner. Im- 

 mediately around the station ran a carnage road, with a 

 convenient oval circuit for turning. On one end of this 

 circuit, near the station, was a weeping beech, and the other 

 extremity was occupied by a group of flowering shrubs, 

 that, although too freshly planted to blossom that year, al- 

 ready impressed the eye as an attractive mass of bright 

 green foliage. Here and there, near the house, were 

 planted pleasant shade-trees, such as the linden, oak, and 

 maple. It should be remembered that by thus planting 

 large shade-trees, the architectural effect of the building 

 was greatly enhanced, because the side toward the railroad, 

 which is the true front, was uninterfered with. Passing 

 mention is made of this, because objection might otherwise 

 be fairly raised to shutting in the building with trees. The 

 entire work had been completed rapidly, but with evident 

 thoroughness. Rich, well^tilled soil had been secured, and 

 the paths were solid and properly constructed. All the 

 edges of the walks were bordered by cut sods, and the re- 

 maining ground was sown with grass seed that, by the 

 good luck that sometimes accompanies good management, 

 had come up evenly. A single path wound through the 

 small domain, carried hither and thither so as to obtain the 

 best views of the river near by, as well as the utmost vari- 

 ety of surface. It was surprising how large the place 

 seemed, as one rambled over this undulating path. The 

 matter-of-fact visitor was even betrayed into the expression 

 that it was as good in its way as anything in Central 

 Park. 



