446 The Embellishment of Dwellings. 



gave them their interestmg aspect. It is requisite, however, 

 that such a place should be shaded by trees ; otherwise its 

 appearance is too bleak to be agreeable. There is likewise a 

 pleasing moral expression about such a place that adds to its 

 effect. An open space in front of the house suggests the idea 

 that the owner is a liberal-hearted or humble-minded man, 

 who is not afraid of vulgar intrusion. Fences should be built 

 only for protection ; and where no such protection is needful, 

 it is a useless appendage, that serves to mar the pleasing 

 effects of the whole scene. An elegant fence might greatly 

 increase the beauty of a place, but would spoil its picturesque 

 attractions, which are far more important, — as the expression 

 of the human face is of more importance than the ruffles and 

 jewelry that surround it. 



The appearance of adaptedness for pleasant retirement and 

 seclusion is one of the qualities of a scene that renders it 

 picturesque ; and it is said that a fence or hedge-row in front 

 of the enclosures would promote this appearance. I contend, 

 however, that one's front yard is not the place for seclusion, 

 which ought to be sought in the rear of the house, where 

 any amount of shrubbery might be cultivated for this purpose. 

 A fence or hedge-row, unless the house is on a ground more 

 elevated than the street, serves to hide from view a great deal 

 which is really laid out for observation. Most people decorate 

 the outside of their houses for the public eye, and, whatever 

 they may believe to the contrary, not entirely for their own. 

 Other things being equal, they are best satisfied with those 

 decorations which they believe will elicit the most intelligent 

 approbation. It is idle, therefore, to ornament one's dwelling, 

 and then conceal it from view by a high fence or hedge-row. 

 The greater number of the enclosures of houses, on a street 

 where there is much travel, require some kind of a fence ; 

 but this should always be of open work, and as simple and 

 as low as it may be to answer the purpose of protection. 



It may be objected that a house looks bald without shrub- 

 bery, or something in the place of it. If it stand on a green 

 lawn, shaded by trees, this baldness would not be so disagree- 

 able to the eye as a crowded assemblage of bushes covered 



