OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES 



in way of guidance — putting his appeal indeed 

 in the shape of a rambHng talk, which I take 

 the Hberty of digesting into this formulary of 

 questions:— 



1st. How much ought fifty acres of land, 

 with respectable farm-house, and out-build- 

 ings, within accessible distance — say not over 

 three to four hours from the city— to cost? 



2d. Will the possible or probable revenue 

 from such a farm be sufficient to keep it in 

 good order — best of order, say — so that it 

 shall not become a bill of expense? 



3d. What crops or treatment will insure 

 such return, without destroying altogether 

 the picturesque effects, or requiring me to cut 

 every tree upon the place? 



4th. Is it possible to secure any decent man, 

 without too big a raft of children, to super- 

 vise such a farm — live in the back rooms — 

 keep the smell of his cabbage stews sufficiently 

 under cover, so as to enable me to enjoy a 

 country home in-doors — (when I wish) and 

 relieve me of all the fatigue of details? 



5th. Supposing I purchase such a place, 

 and stock it to my fancy, and reorganize the 

 old house, or possibly, build a new one, and 

 Mrs. Urban grows tired of it all, in a year, or 

 two, or three, is there any hope of my getting 



240 



