324 LANDSCAPE GARDENING. 



houses and their offices or out-buildings, we think every 

 reasonable person will, at the first glance, see how 

 lamentably deficient are many of the productions of out 

 architects and builders, in one of the leading principles of 

 the art. The most common form for an American country 

 villa is the pseudo-Greek Temple ; that is, a rectangular 

 oblong building, with the chimney-tops concealed, if 

 possible, and instead of a pretty and comfortable porch, 

 veranda, or piazza, four, six, or eight lofty wooden 

 columns are seen supporting a portico, so high as neither 

 to afford an agreeable promenade, nor a sufficient shelter 

 from the sun and rain. 



There are two features, which it is now generally 

 admitted contribute strongly to the expression of purpose 

 in a dwelling-house, and especially in a country residence. 

 These are the chimney-tops and the entrance porch. 

 Chimney-tops, with us, are generally square masses of 

 brick, rising above the roof, and presenting certainly no 

 very elegant appearance, which may perhaps serve as the 

 apology of those who studiously conceal them. But in a 

 climate where fires are requisite during a large portion ot 

 the year, chimney-tops are expressive of a certain comfort 

 resulting from the use of them, which characterizes a 

 building intended for a dwelling in that climate. Chimney- 

 tops being never, or rarely, placed on those buildings 

 intended for the inferior animals, are also undoubtedly 

 strongly indicative of human habitations. Instead, there- 

 fore, of hiding or concealing them, they should be in all 

 dwellings not only boldly avowed, but rendered ornamental; 

 for whatever is a characteristic and necessary feature, 

 should undoubtedly, if possible, be rendered elegant, or at 

 least prevented from being ugly. 



