304 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



beautiful than the richly carved capitals of the classic por- 

 tico. 



In this country, no architectural feature is more plainly 

 expressive of purpose in our dwelling-houses than the piaz- 

 za. The unclouded splendour and fierce heat of our sum- 

 mer sun, render this very general appendage a source of real 

 comfort and enjoyment ; and the long piazzas round many 

 of our country residences stand in stead of the paved terraces 

 of the English mansions as the place for promenade ; while 

 during the warmer portions of the season, half of the days or 

 evenings are there passed in the enjoyment of the cool breezes, 

 secure under low roofs supported by the open colonnade, 

 from the solar rays, or the dews of night. The obvious 

 utility of the piazza, therefore, in this climate, will excuse 

 its adoption into any style of architecture that may be select- 

 ed for our domestic uses, although abroad, buildings in the 

 style in question, as the Gothic, for example, are not usually 

 accompanied by such an appendage. An artist of the least 

 taste or invention, will easily compose an addition of this 

 kind, that will be in good keeping with the rest of the edifice. 



These various features or parts of the building, with many 

 others which convey expression of purpose in domestic ar- 

 chitecture, because they recal to the mind the different uses 

 to which they are applied, and the several enjoyments con- 

 nected with them, also contribute greatly to the interest of the 

 building itself, and heighten its good effect as part of a har- 

 monious whole, in the landscape. The various projections 

 and irregularities, caused by verandas, porticoes, etc. serving 

 to connect the otherwise square masses of building, by grad- 

 ual transition, with the ground about it. 



The reader, who thus recognises features as expressive of 

 purpose in a dwelling intended for the habitation of man, we 



