56 Remarks on iniprovitig 



In the accompanying plan for forming a new approach road, 

 it will be observed that it is proposed to retain the entrance in 

 the same place where it is at present, but that it is intended to 

 alter the position of the gate and lodge. The reason for retain- 

 ino- the entrance in its present situation is, because there is no 

 other point in the boundary line along the public road which is 

 so well adapted for entering from ; and the reason for altering 

 the position of the gate and lodge is, in order to accommodate 

 them to the new direction of the approach road within the gates. 



The superiority of the present position for an entrance con- 

 sists in its being marked out by a space outside the boundary 

 wall, on which are three large trees of the same kind as those 

 within ; and in the direction of that wall forming a recess, ap- 

 parently, and doubtless really, made on purpose to give dignity 

 and consequence to the entrance gate. To form an entrance 

 anywhere else, and more especially on the south of the present 

 gate, would appear, to a stranger passing along the public road, 

 altogether forced, and as though some untoward circumstance 

 had obliged the entrance to be made in an unsuitable situation. 

 South of the present entrance, it would besides be very incon- 

 venient for a carriage, either to turn in, or go out, on account 

 of the narrowness of the public road in that direction. It will be 

 observed, that, in altering the position of the gate, another large 

 tree is thrown outside the boundary wall, in addition to the three 

 already there. This we consider a fortunate circumstance rather 

 than otherwise ; because, in a small place, the appearance of trees 

 and of a space belonging to that place without the walls, con- 

 veys the idea of there being no want of room within, of the lands 

 of the proprietor not being limited to the space enclosed within 

 the walls, and of his possessing that liberal spirit, and abundance 

 of wealth, which render two or three poles of land, and two or 

 three large trees, of no consequence to him. Finally, it gives a 

 favourable idea of his patriotism, in not enclosing these trees and 

 the ground on which they stand, but leaving them to ornament 

 the public road. There is nothing gives a more contracted idea 

 of the owner of a small place, than to see every inch of ground 

 belonging to it carefully walled in, a piece of waste ground, or 

 common, perhaps, encroached on, and the public road pared as 

 closely as the law will permit. 



The direction which is given to the approach road is made, 

 first, in order not to proceed abruptly in a direct line from the 

 gate to the house, in the commonplace ijianner which would be 

 adopted in making a road through a field, from a gate in its 

 boundary to a shed or barn in its interior ; and, secondly, in order 

 to afford an opportunity of lengthening the road, and thus giving 

 it a more graceful line. of direction. An additional reason for 

 lengthenino; the line of road arises from the unfortunate circum- 



