

Book II. CHOICE OF DEMESNE LANDS. 563 



Chap. III. 



Choice of the Demesne or Site for the Proprietors Residence. 



3506. The most desirable situation/or 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 neighbours ; 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 central 

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

 priated, 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 central 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. 



3507. 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. 



3508. 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 dwelling-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 deteroriate the atmosphere to their own height, which generally equals 

 or exceeds that of the house. Besides, a flat situation can never have views of much 

 beauty, and can only be interesting from 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 moisture 

 at cumulated from the evaporation of so many leaves. 



3509. 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 objection : 

 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, and rock, are the best 

 surfaces to build on in a flat : on an elevated situation any soil will do ; but chalk, rock, 

 or gravel, is to be preferred. 



3510. The prospects from the immediate site of the mansion, and from those parts ef 

 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 prospects 

 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 cottages, neat 

 farmeries, field barns, and sometimes distant windmills; 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 neighbouring mansion, would be preferred to most others in many parts 

 of Ireland, Russia, or America. 



3511. The exposure 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- 



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