MR. URBAN AND A COUNTRY HOUSE. 219 



When a man's rambling conversation for two or 

 three hours is capable of digest into such interroga- 

 tive formula, it is evident that he has some rural 

 intentions ; and I proceed to reply to such (in behalf 

 of my friend Urban) seriously and seriatim. 



The price of land, within the required distance of 

 New York, is as variable as the weather. There are 

 lands within a radius of a hundred miles of the City 

 Hall, equipped with rocks and trees, which would be 

 dear at ten dollars the acre, and there are lands 

 within the same radius, equipped with rocks and 

 trees, and without architectural improvements, which 

 would be cheap at two thousand dollars per acre. In 

 fact, there is no rule for price of land, as prices rule 

 for other commodities. Lands along the Hudson, for 

 instance, are valued for their river views, or, may be, 

 the social attractions of their neighborhood at prices 

 upon which the best ordered cropping would not pay 

 a rental of one per cent. On the other hand, there 

 are level garden grounds on Long Island to be 

 bought at prices on which eight, ten, and even fifteen 

 per cent, might be made secure by judicious culture. 

 Within four miles of Edinboro Castle there are grass- 

 lands which rent, per acre, for one hundred and fifty 

 dollars a year. Of course, near to great cities, the 

 rental of gardening or grazing-land, is measured by 

 the length of lease if long, it is worth more ; if 



