11 



similar to those with which we are familiar in natural scenery, the de- 

 tails are dictated by convenience, utility, and adaptibility to the end 

 in view. 



A neglected footpath seen in the distance, curving gracefully around 

 the sides of a hill or on the banks of a stream, now embracing a thicket 

 of trees and undergrowth, and lost in a maze of tangled vines, then 

 emerging and tracing across the meadow, alternately widening and 

 narrowing, and at times altogether lost in the massive foliage of grasses 

 and other natural growths, is what might truly be termed a natural 

 path. Let it be trimmed and widened, however, its surface neatly ad- 

 justed and covered with gravel, its curves well defined, and its sides 

 made perfectly parallel, and it will have lost much of its beauty as a 

 natural woodland path, although the contiguous scenery has not been 

 disturbed nor in any degree impaired. It is now invested with the 

 beauty of utility, and however much we may have admired it in its 

 original condition, yet for comfort as a dry and convenient walk we 

 greatly prefer its improved condition ; and in addition to the charms 

 associated with its position, it has those of adaptability and fitness to 

 the end in view. 



CHOOSING A LOCATION FOB BUILDINGS AND GROUNDS. 



In choosing a location one of the first considerations is that of access 

 to and egress from a city, and if daily intercourse is contemplated, it 

 becomes a question of special interest. The time, trouble, and expense 

 of travel on bad roads are a severe tax upon country pleasures. A 

 drive of half an hour on a hard road during a fine summer evening is 

 a recreative pleasure which may not be appreciated when an hour and 

 a half are spent on the same distance during a stormy winter morning, 

 A good road in dry weather may become very indifferent after rains, 

 and be impassable for three-fourths of the year. 



In these days of railroads and steamboats it is difficult to indicate 

 what might be considered a convenient distance from the city. Upon 

 a well-managed railroad a distance of 20 miles may be more accessible 

 than 2 miles upon a common road. Proximity to a railroad station will 

 always secure a certainty of convenient transit, even, allowing the dis- 

 tance to be within an easy carriage drive. This facility should not be 

 overlooked when it can be secured. 



Healthiness of locality is of paramount importance. Low, flat lands 

 are generally damp and cold, and should never be selected for the habi- 

 tation of man or beast, if there is any choice in the matter. Valleys, 

 or even depressions, are equally unsuitable. The air after sunset is 

 always dense in such places, dews are heavier and more frequent, and, 

 as a consequence, frosts are more prevalent than on elevations. Fogs 

 are more frequent on low lands. The extremes of temperature are also 

 greater, especially if surrounded by forests, which prevent the free 

 circulation and equalizing influence of winds. Wide and long valleys, 



