60 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



also, with the lodge. It is the habitation of a depend- 

 ent. It should ape no ostentation, nor have expensive 

 fittings. Yet it should look like a dwelling, as it is, 

 with all the little conveniences for tidy and comfort- 

 able living. The attempt, sometimes seen, at building 

 a gate-lodge in the similitude of a temple, or other 

 fantastic pretension, is but little above ridiculous. 

 Utility, in all such cases, is the controlling feature of 

 beauty, as well as propriety. — Ed. 



Line op the Approach through the Park. — 

 "When a judicious site for the entrance-gate has been 

 selected, a good starting point for the approach has 

 been obtained. After passing the gateway, it should 

 proceed at right angles to the line of the gate for a 

 short distance, the length of this part being regulated 

 in some measure by the nature of the ground and the 

 extent of the park. It may then turn off toward the 

 mansion-house, in a line, of which we may remark 

 generally, that though it may not be the shortest that 

 can be formed, it should certainly not be unnecessarily 

 prolonged. A straight line, it is well known, is the 

 least possible distance, and persons in haste naturally 

 take it; except on level surfaces, however, it can 

 rarely be adopted, even on the public highways, where 

 rapid locomotion is most desirable, and considerable 

 detours are often made to avoid the retarding effect of 

 steep inclinations. In the park, as now laid out, the 

 straight line is seldom employed, as it cannot be intro- 

 duced without a stiff and bald appearance. On the 

 other hand, an approach two or three times longer 

 than necessary may be regarded as palpably absurd ; 

 and not less so is an approach which is, for any reason, 

 led over steep and difficult- ground, when perhaps an 



