50 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



supply of water, at a medium distance from the Louse, 

 but certainly not in a prominent position in the grounds. 

 Scarcely any thing is in worse taste than a large rect- 

 angular building, with its huge coach-house gates, 

 central pediment, and a steeple or tower, composing 

 together a staring object in the park, and competing 

 with the mansion-house itself. Stables of this descrip- 

 tion are not uncommon, and sometimes they have their 

 dignity increased by being erected near the principal 

 approach. "While the stable-offices should be of easy 

 access, they ought always to be placed on the secondary 

 approach or back road. A convenient site for them 

 may frequently be found on the edge of the pleasure- 

 grounds, where they should be wholly or partially 

 concealed by planting. A walk leading from the 

 house through the grounds, and passing near a private 

 entrance into the stable-court, will be found a great 

 convenience. It is not unusual to combine the stable- 

 court and farm-offices into one square. The arrange- 

 ment is not a bappy one, particularly if the farm- 

 offices are extensive and near the house; and it be- 

 comes most inconvenient should the home farm be let, 

 as it sometimes is, for in that case two masters and 

 two sets of servants cannot long remain on good terms. 

 Several instances of this misarrangement and its con- 

 sequent annoyances have fallen under my notice. As 

 a general rule, the farm-offices should be kept at as 

 great a distance from the mansion-house as the con- 

 venience of the home farm, and the easy access of the 

 proprietor will permit. 



Note. — The stables should be within convenient call 

 of the house, say from one to two hundred, yards, and 

 if possible, in a sheltered place on the leeward side, to 



