508 PRACTICE OF AGRICULTURE. Part III. 



Chap. III. 



Of the Choice oftlie Demesne or Site for tlie Proprietor's Residence. 



3263. The most desirable situation for the mansion of the owner of a landed estate, 

 will in almost every case be somewhere near its centre. The advantage of being at an 

 equal distance from every part of the boundaries ; of having as much as possible on 

 every side that which we can call our own ; of not being overlooked by near neighbors ; 

 and of reposing as it were in the bosom of our own tenantry, cottagers, cattle, and 

 woods, are obvious, and felt by every one. There may be instances where, from a 

 public road passing through the centre of an estate, or of a town or village there situated, 

 or mining works carried on, and similar circumstances, it may not be desirable to form 

 a centrical residence ; but such cases are not common, and in laying out an estate newly 

 appropriated, or re-arranging an old one, may always or very generally be avoided. It may 

 happen, however, that an estate may be so extensive, or its surface so hilly or mountainous, 

 that a centrical situation may be dispensed with for other advantages. When an estate 

 is situated near an extensive lake, at the foot of high mountains, or includes an extent 

 of sea-shore, it will generally be found preferable, in point of effect and enjoyment, to 

 place the mansion near these interesting features. Proximity to the sea, though it be 

 on the margin of our estate, can never be offensive ; for if the ocean does not belong to 

 us, neither does it belong to any one else ; nearly the same thing may be said of an im- 

 mense lake, which at least is for the greatest part devoid of visible appropriation, and 

 the same thing may often be observed of rivers and mountains, especially if the latter are 

 of a savage, or wooded character. 



3264. Various other circumstances must also be taken into view in fixing on the situ- 

 ation of a mansion and demesne ; such as its healthfulness, prospects, exposure, water, 

 the nature of the soil, and the extent of territory. 



3265. To be healthy, a situation should in almost all cases be somewhat elevated 

 above the adjoining surface; and though this cannot be the case with respect to the 

 whole of the demesne lands, it should at least apply to the spot intended for the dwel- 

 ling-house. Even a level situation is objectionable in point of health, because when 

 the usual plantations have grown up round the house, they tend to stagnate the air and 

 generate moisture, and thus deteriorate the atmosphere, to their own height, which is gene- 

 rally equal or greater than that of the house. Besides, a flat situation can never have views of 

 much beauty, and can only be interesting by the plants or other objects immediately under 

 the eye, and the elevated grounds or hills, if any, in the extreme distance. < On an ele- 

 vated situation, even though surrounded by trees higher than the house, the frequent 

 and varying winds will always prevent the stagnation of the air, and sweep away the 

 accumulation of moisture from the evaporation of so many leaves. 



3266. The nature of the soil requires to be attended to, even with a view to health. 

 On a level, a gravelly or sandy soil is generally more apt to generate damp in the 

 lower parts of a house, than a clayey soil ; but on an eminence gravel has not this ob- 

 jection ; in the former case, the water lodged in the stratum of gravel finds its 

 way from all sides to the excavation made for the foundations of the house; in the 

 latter, the declivity on every side carries it away. Clay not too adhesive, chalk, or rock, 

 are the best surfaces to build on in a flat ; on an elevated situation any soil will do ; but 

 chalk, rock, or gravel are to be preferred. 



3267. The prosj^ects from the immediate site of the mansion, and from those parts of 

 the adjoining grounds which will be laid out as pleasure-ground, or recreative walks, 

 demand some consideration. Such prospects should consist of what painters call 

 middle and third distances, bold, distinct, and interesting; the fore-ground or first distance 

 being formed by the artificial scenery of the pleasure-ground. Noble features in pros- 

 pects, are rivers, lakes, or mountains ; interesting ones, are churches or their spires, 

 bridges, aqueducts, ruins of ancient castles or abbeys, water-mills, distant towns or cities, 

 distant canals, and sometimes roads, &c. : pleasing rural objects, are picturesque cot- 

 tages, neat farmeries, field barns, and sometimes distant wind-mills ; for objects offensive, ' 

 when near, often become valuable features at a distance. Something depends on the 

 state of civilisation of the country, and its general character; the sight of a road, sea- 

 port, canal, or even a neighboring mansion, would be preferred to most others in many 

 parts of Ireland, Russia, or America. 



3268. The exj^osure with regard to the sun, and the prevailing winds of a country, 

 also requires attention. It was the custom of former times, in the choice of domestic 

 situations, to let comfort and convenience prevail over every other consideration. Thus 

 the ancient baronial castles were built on the summits of hills, in times when defence 

 and security suggested the necessity of placing them there ; and difficulty of access was 

 a recommendation : but when this necessity no longer existed (as mankind are always apt 

 to fly from one extreme to the other), houses were universally erected in the lowest situ- 



