OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES 



out from the trees, and back of them a 

 glimpse of the Sound. I send a rough sketch 

 of it. 



"But the misfortune is, the view is only to 

 be seen to advantage from my wash-room 

 door, or from one spot in the garden just now 

 encumbered with enormous Lawton briars. 

 The first position is soapy and damp for visi- 

 tors, and the last— tedious. 



"What I wish of you," — my friend Lack- 

 land continues to write, — "is to give me a hint 

 or two about the combing of this rough little 

 home of mine into shape. And in order to a 

 more definite understanding I will tell you 

 briefly what I don't want, and next what I do 

 want. 



"And first, being a plain man, I don't want 

 crooked walks, for the mere sake of having 

 them crooked ; I don't want to go into my gate 

 in a hurry — when I know dinner is already 

 smoking on the table— and yet, after entrance, 

 be compelled to describe a circle planted with 

 I know not what barbarian evergreens, before 

 I can get to my door. 



"I don't want my stable yard absolutely in 

 sight; least of all do I wish to be compelled 

 to traverse it, before I can get sight of my pet 

 mare. 



44 



