IffflE CHOICE j 



REATMENT 



Choice of 

 a locality. 



CHAPTER III. 



In dealing with the subject of this chapter, the choice of a site for a new domain 

 and the endeavour to develop it on the best possible lines both artistically and practi- 

 cally, the writer ventures to think that we cannot do better than follow the prospective 

 owner of a typical country residence through the whole process of choice and develop- 

 ment, culling such lessons for future application as may be of general use. 



The choice of a locality in which to build is naturally the first consideration, though 

 in most instances there are factors connected with the business and health of the owner 

 which will considerably narrow the question, and in any case it would be quite beyond 

 the scope of this work to do more than to touch upon the climatic and hygienic advantages 

 and disadvantages of the different portions of our Island. 



There are great differences in climate and atmosphere in various parts of Britain 

 and even of the sea-board. The West coast, swept by the Atlantic breezes, tempered 

 by the moist, warm air of the Gulf Stream, is more genial, if less bracing, than the East 

 Coast, which is swept by the dry winds that cross the German Ocean, and from the 

 same cause, the rainfall is much greater in the West than in the East. This is, however, 

 to some extent compensated for by the mountainous surface and impervious subsoil on 

 the West coast, which causes the water to flow away quickly from the higher portions 

 of the land. The broken outline of the North-western coast again speaks eloquently 

 of the violence of the stern " nor'- westers," though the resulting rugged picturesqueness 

 may be sufficient recompense in the minds of some persons. The South coast, if we 

 except the stormy extremities of Kent and Cornwall, provides throughout a genial and 

 equable Winter resort, though undoubtedly somewhat relaxing in the Summer. 



Other factors, however, modify or even reverse these primary climatic and atmo- 

 spheric distinctions. Thus the lie of the land, its general contours, its altitude with 

 reference to its surroundings, the dispositions of surrounding hills or mountains, the 

 proximity and placing of woods and forests, the presence of a large lake all have a 

 very marked influence. 



It cannot be too clearly pointed out that mere altitude, reckoned, say, above the sea level, Altitude. 

 is of no value whatever. What is important is the height in comparison with its surround- 

 ings. For instance, a site which is five hundred feet above sea level, but in the bottom 

 of a mountain valley where the sun rarely penetrates, may be depressing, while another on 

 the sea coast, which is only twenty feet above high-water mark, may be bracing in the 

 extreme. The same factors regulate the frequency of or immunity from fog. Mists 

 always tend to hang in a valley, even though a thousand feet above sea level, which 

 can easily be seen by visiting a hilly district in foggy weather and climbing the highest 

 hill, when the top will often be found to be bathed in sunshine and the fog to lie at the 



