SMALL COUNTRY VILLAS. 237 



or, by leaving the flower-garden on the right, you are led on by different 

 walks, as represented in the figure. At the north- vvest corner are a piece of 

 water {q) and a summer-house (r). In the centre, on the west, is a seat (s) ; 

 and at the south-west angle of the pleasure-ground is another structure (t), 

 in front of which there is an oval (?<), intended either for a small bowling- 

 green, or for any other purpose. Proceeding onwards, you come to the prin- 

 cipal entrance to the kitchen-garden on the right (v) ; and on the left is a 

 bridge (w), leading over a piece of water to the oval (x) at the western front, 

 in the centre of which is a circle (y), for a fountain, statue, or large vase. In 

 a place of this extent, a good collection of choice trees and shrubs might be 

 introduced in such a way as that the whole might almost be considered as an 

 arboretum ; and the line of shrubs, which is placed to hide the kitchen- 

 garden, might be converted into an American border." 



336. Remarks applicable to the preceding designs. — The surface of the 

 ground, in all these designs, is supposed to be even, and for the most part 

 flat ; in consequence of which, there can be no difficulty in laying out the 

 roads and walks in any direction which the designer may think suitable. It 

 may be asked, then, by what leading circumstance the designer is influenced 

 in tracing the lines for the roads and walks, as shown in these plans? Is it 

 arbitrary, depending on his particular taste ; or is it guided by some circum- 

 stance in the situation, the wants of the proprietor, and the means which he 

 places at the disposal of the artist? To these questions we answer, that all the 

 main features, in laying out a place, are indicated by certain circumstances, either 

 peculiar to the situation, or peculiar to the wants and means of the intended 

 occupier. For example, the situation of the entrance lodge is determined by the 

 point or side of the estate on which it touches the public road. If the road 

 touches on only one point, there is, of course, no choice ; but, if it borders the 

 estate on one or more sides, then a point is chosen for the entrance which it is 

 considered may be most convenient for use, and may show the place off to 

 visiters entering by it to the greatest advantage. The distance at which the 

 house is placed from the public road, and its position relatively to the 

 boundary fence on every side, depend chiefly, where the surface is even, on 

 the extent of the ground, but partly also on its form ; whether it extends in 

 length or breadth, and whether the boundary is very irregular, or tolerably 

 regular. Something, also, depends on the style in which the occupant 

 intends to live. Where there are no horses or carriages, and but few servants 

 are kept, labour is saved by having the house near the road ; but, even in this 

 case, if the family had but few visiters, and were devoted to their garden, 

 placing the house in the interior of the property would be more suitable. 

 The situation of the house is also influenced by the room which requires to be 

 found for the offices and kitchen-garden ; and, also, by the proper aspect 

 which the fronts of the house ought to have ; that for the garden or living-room 

 front being generally the south-east or south-west. The number and direc- 

 tion of the walks are in a great measure determined by the outline of the 

 ground. In all small places, it is desirable to have as long a walk as can 

 be got, for the sake of recreation ; and the longest walk is necessarily that 

 which follows the boundary. Hence, almost every place, whether large or 

 small, has a walk roimd it. The walks in the interior depend on the 

 extent of the place. In the smallest residence, one is required from the 

 house to the kitchen-garden ; and a walk round the outside of the latter is 



