268 RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 



that the soul opens itself most to visions of beauty that the least 

 measure of harmony the most simple notions of the graceful and 

 symmetrical fill it with joy. The few yards square, in which the 

 child is permitted to realize his own vague ideal of a garden does 

 it not fill his heart more completely than the great Versailles of 

 monarchs that of the mature man ? Do we not forever remember 

 with what transport of delight we have first seen the grand old 

 trees, the beautiful garden, the favorite landscape, from the hill -top 

 of our childhood ? What after pictures, however grand however 

 magnificent however perfect to the more educated eye, are ever 

 able to efface these first daguerreotypes, printed on the fresh pages 

 of the youthful soul ? 



It is rather because teachers misunderstand the nature of man, 

 and more especially of boyhood, that we see so much to deplore in 

 the exteriors of the houses in which they are taught. They forget, 

 that in human natures there are not only intellects to acquire know- 

 ledge, but also hearts to feel and senses to enjoy life. They forget 

 that all culture is one-sided and short-sighted, which does not aim 

 to develop human nature completely, fully. 



We have an ideal picture, that refreshes our imagination, of 

 common school-houses, scattered all ov*er our wide country; not 

 wild bedlams, which seem to the traveller plague-spots on the fair 

 country landscape ; but little nests of verdure and beauty ; embryo 

 arcadias, that beget tastes for lovely gardens, neat houses, and well 

 cultivated lands ; spots of recreation, that are play-grounds for the 

 memory, for many long years after all else of childhood is crowded 

 out and effaced for ever. 



Let some of our readers who have an influence in this matter, 

 try to work a little reform in their own districts. Suppose, in the first 

 place, the school-house itself is rendered agreeable to the eye. Sup- 

 pose a miniature park of elms and maples is planted about it. Sup- 

 pose a strip of ground is set apart for little gardens, to be given as 

 premiums to the successful pupils ; and which they are only to hold 

 so long as both they and their gardens are kept up to the topmost 

 standard. Suppose the trees are considered to be the property and 

 under the protection of certain chiefs of the classes. And, suppose 



