Mr. Langton on Artificial Climates. 363 



more spacious the volume of air thus inclosed is, the more 

 pure it will be, and the less subject to sudden variations of 

 temperature, it would appear to be the interest of a number 

 of families to unite in having a large inclosed space common 

 to them all ; thus not only affording themselves ample room 

 for exercise, but rendering their habitations more cheerful, by 

 presenting opportunities for social intercourse without a ne- 

 cessity for transgressing the bounds of their favoured retreat. 



This leads to the consideration of what form such an esta- 

 blishment ought to assume. If difficulties and expenses of ex- 

 ecution were not an object, perhaps a circle would be the best 

 which could be devised ; the difficulties, however, and waste in 

 the construction of buildings on a circular plan are so great, 

 and the disadvantages in furnishing them so manifest, that a 

 square would appear on the whole to be the most convenient 

 form that could be adopted. As to size, it should be suffici- 

 ently large to admit of a drive, that carriage exercise might 

 be taken by those who were unequal to greater fatigue. 



Three hundred feet square appears to be the least space 

 that would afford that advantage, and also allow a small 

 shrubbery to be appropriated to each house for seclusion and 

 for amusement. A larger space would be desirable ; but it must 

 be remembered that-not only the first outlay, but a permanent 

 annual expense is proportioned to the size of the inclosed area, 

 these disadvantages being increased not in proportion to the 

 length of a side, but to the square of that length. It is obvious 

 that such a mass of buildings could only be erected where 

 there is an uninterrupted space of at least five hundred feet 

 square, not subject to any thoroughfare. The situation for 

 such an establishment should be dry and airy, and placed in 

 that neighbourhood where it might be expected the majority 

 of the friends and relatives of its inmates should reside, that 

 the greater chances might be afforded them of receiving the 

 visits and attentions of their friends ; it should also be conve- 

 nient for the attendance of the first medical practitioners. 

 Fulfilling these conditions will fortunately in London produce 

 another advantage hardly less essential, viz. a comparatively 

 clear atmosphere, from the prevailing winds blowing from the 

 south-west, and consequently not being contaminated with 

 the smoke and dirt of the place until after they have passed 

 over the dwellings of those residing westward. 



In arranging a new and experimental establishment of this 

 nature, it would be politic to have it so laid out that persons 

 of different degrees of wealth might be able to avail them- 

 selves of its advantages, lest the risk should be incurred of 

 portions of it being unoccupied if it included only the largest 



3 A 2 description 



