444 THE VILLA GARDENER. 



cessful farmer, as well as gardener ; two pursuits which, considering the 

 great number of plants in the flower-garden and green-houses, one would 

 think almost incompatible. 



493. Remarks. — There is a simplicity, combined with a certain degree of 

 grandeur, in the view from the lawn front, which makes a considerable 

 impression on the stranger. The most complete parts of this residence are 

 the dwelling-house and domestic offices, and the farm offices. The latter are 

 neither regular nor symmetrical ; but they are designed on the best prin- 

 ciples ; they are quite suitable for a small farm where the object is the con- 

 sumption of the produce, and they are substantially executed ; circumstances 

 which show that neither regularity nor symmetry is an essential ingredient 

 where the main object is use. The relative situation of the farm-yard, poultry- 

 yard, kitchen garden, and back courts to the flower-garden, is also good ; 

 and, though there is no convenient connection, within the grounds, between 

 these and the stable offices, this is rendered comparatively unnecessary by 

 the situation of the public road. The ground plan of the hou-e is well calcu- 

 lated both for splendour and habitableness. The dining-room and drawing- 

 room are spacious rooms, admirably connected, and yet sufficiently calculated 

 for display in passing from the one to the other. When the family are alone, 

 there is a sufficient number of smaller living-rooms to serve the purpose of a 

 dining-room, drawing-room, &c., for more than a dozen persons; without 

 using the principal rooms. The grand central passage through the house 

 being broad, and well lighted both from the eu'ls and the roof, is also a great 

 source of comfort and convenience ; as are the domestic offices, from their 

 extent and number. 



Design XXXI. — A villa, of from 50 to 100 acres in the geometrical style. 



494. General observations. — We have given this design, to show how the 

 ancient style of laying out grounds can be adapted to modern uses. We have 

 repeatedly observed that we are not among those who consider the ancient, 

 or architectural, style of laying out grounds as fit only for the ages in which it 

 first appeared; and that, on the contrary, we consider it as much a style 

 among other styles of landscape-gardening, as the Gothic is among other 

 styles of architecture. The suitableness of this style for a country in a wild 

 state must, we think, be obvious to every unprejudiced mind, from the 

 contrast which its clearly defined lines and forms afford to the irregularity of 

 the surrounding scenery, and from the obvious expression of art and refine- 

 ment which they produce. In ti-avelling over a flat country, like great part 

 of the interior of Poland, which may be described as one interminable forest 

 (the cultivated lands and pastures being merely extensive glades), it is 

 delightful to arrive at a post-house with a walled garden, and perhaps a field 

 or two enclosed by clipped hedges. In the neighbourhood of Moscow, the 

 greater part of the country residences are, or at least were in 1814, laid out 

 in the geometrical style, and the principal things that were admired in them 

 by the inhabitants were the long straight avenues and walks, bordered by 

 clipped hornbeam hedges of great height; and the immense spruce fir hedges, 

 which were found in other parts of the grounds and near the mansions. The 

 geometrical style, besides being suitable for all countries not regularly lined 

 out by walls and hedges, and cultivated in regular fields or ridges, is also in 

 an eminent degree adapted for public gardens and parks, in which masses of 

 people, or of horses and carriages, are to congregate together. If the reason 



