Theory and Practice 179 



to every sort of entrance, as well as that through an 

 arch, yet there are certain situations where the latter 

 cannot be avoided. Of this, an instance occurred in 

 Stoke Park, Herefordshire, where the gate and the 

 cottage near it were disguised by the portico, repre- 

 sented in the following sketch [Fig. 22], which forms 

 a pavilion, or covered seat, adjoining to the walk in 

 the shrubbery. 



In various situations various expedients have been 

 adopted; thus, at Antony, I recommended, near the gate, 

 a cottage, over which is a room, to command the fine 

 view of the harbour, etc. At St. John's, in the Isle of 

 Wight, two cottages covered with flowering creepers 

 attract the notice of all who visit the island; and while 

 one is a comfortable residence for a family, the other 

 consists of a room near the roadside, from whence the 

 mind derives peculiar satisfaction in seeing the constant 

 succession of visitors who leave their homes in search 

 of happiness. In some places the cottage is more con- 

 spicuous, by dividing the road to the house from the 

 public road, as at Milton; but, in most cases, I have 

 endeavoured to conceal the cottage, when it is quite 

 solitary, among the trees, only shewing the gate of 

 entrance. 



Concerning gates, it may not be improper to mention 

 my opinion, with reasons for it. 



1st. As an entrance near a town, I prefer close wooden 

 gates, for the sake of privacy, except where the view is 

 only into a wood, and not into the open lawn. 



2d. The gates should be of iron, or close boards, if 

 hanging to piers of stone, or brick-work ; otherwise an 

 open or common field-gate of wood appears mean, or as 

 if only a temporary expedient. 



