HOMESTEAD LANDSCAPES. 155 



done, with the supply of a few additional embellishments, such as 

 trees, rocks, or other out-door objects, and a porch, piazza, bay 

 or landscape window added to the house, would completely trans- 

 form the appearance of the place. And those most intimately ac- 

 quainted with it would be driven to doubt whether that particular 

 part of the brain, which phrenologists denominate " locality," was 

 not at fault and deceiving them. 



It is thus that I would have you look at your homes with me to- 

 day. Some of them, I know, are examples of the most skilful 

 construction, and have been embellished by lavish expenditure, 

 and are finished country homes. All that I would say to the 

 possessors of such is — Enjoy them to the utmost, and be thankful 

 that you have them. But man}' others, I know, stand in need of 

 a little criticism, and, as we proceed to develop our subject, we 

 may be able to bring forward suggestions that will be of general 

 benefit. 



The first suggestion that I would offer is this — that expenditure 

 of money does not alwa3's bring a return in true beauty. I have 

 in mind one lawn that remains dull, flat, and uninteresting, 

 although it has absorbed money enough to have made earthly 

 paradises of all the estates in the village, had it been expended 

 with good judgment. 



A first general rule is that every building should, as far as pos- 

 sible, conform to the character of its site and of the surroundings. 

 Place a castle on the hill, and a cot in the valley — never the re- 

 verse. The most incongruous piece of architecture that I have 

 ever seen was a Swiss cbalet in a closely built city street. Such 

 an instance affords an example to be avoided. 



Another imperative rule is to preserve the salient features of a 

 landscape. A lawn preserving the natural slopes of the ground, 

 with easy circuitous pathways, is far more pleasing than a dead 

 level, with all the lines at right angles. A rocky border, a precip- 

 itous gorge, or a tangled thicket is oftentimes better treated by 

 embellishment than by removal. Even boulders, expensive objects 

 .to remove, become useful features when made centres or back- 

 grounds for appropriate shrubbery. 



There is an old saying, which is full of truth, that will apply to 

 him who commences to improve his home and surroundings ; it is 

 — "Plan the patch before the cloth is cut." To begin wisely, a 

 plan should first be outlined ; and can afterwards be gradually 



