Home Life 



it was very useful setting out the two right angles of the 

 northern boundary. I have not got possession yet, but 

 hope to do so by next week. The house, we reckon, can 

 be built for £1,000 at the outside. . . . 



To Mrs. Fisher 



ParkaUme, Dorset. February 4, 1902. 



Dear Mrs. Fisher, — . . . You will be surprised to hear 

 that I have been so rash as to buy land and to (propose 

 to) build a house ! Every other effort to get a pleasant 

 country cottage with a little land having failed, we dis- 

 covered, accidentally, a charming spot only four miles from 

 this house and half a mile from Broadstone Station, and 

 have succeeded in buying three acres, chosen hy myself, 

 from Lord Wimborne at what is reaUy a reasonable price. 

 In its contour, views, wood, and general aspect of wild 

 nature it is almost perfection ; and Annie, Violet, and Will 

 are all pleased and satisfied with it. It is on the slope of 

 the Broadstone middle plateau, looking south over Poole 

 Harbour with the Purbeck Hills beyond, and a little east- 

 ward out to the sea. . . . The ground is good loam in the 

 orchard, with some sand and clay in the field, but this is 

 so open to the sun and air that we are not afraid of it, as 

 the house-site will be entirely concreted over, and I have 

 arranged for a heating stove in a cellar, which will warm 

 and dry the whole basement. In a week or two we hope 

 to begin building, so you may fancy how busy I am, 

 especially as we are building it Tvithout a contractor, with 

 the help of a friend. ... I go over two or three times a 

 week, as I have two gardeners at work. In the summer 

 (should I be still in the land of the living) I hope you will 

 be able to come and see our little estate, which is to be 

 called by the descriptive name of -' Old Orchard." I have 

 got a good architect to make the working drawings and he 



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