28 



PARKS AND PLEASUEE-GltOUNDS. 



unworthily repaid by subsequent expense and incon- 

 venience. 



Note. — More truth could scarcely be condensed into 

 the same number of lines than our author has here 

 written. Fortunately, for the exercise of a correct 

 taste in such Americans as have the inclination and 

 means to indulge in the recreation of park building, 

 they have no " feudal associations and, perhaps less 

 fortunately — for we individually confess to no incon- 

 siderable degree of respect for family antecedents of 

 the right kind — as a people, not a superabundance of 

 u family recollections" to lead us into the absurdities 

 against which he warns us. We are, therefore, left 

 with few prejudices or partialities to warp our judg- 

 ment in the situation of proper sites for our country 

 homes. The want of proper education on the subject, 

 and a lack of natural taste, are more frequent obstacles 

 in the way of a choice of the best ground to appro- 

 priate to objects of luxury. Eoom enough in a country 

 of cheap land, like ours, should be the first item of 

 consideration with those who set about selecting a site 

 for a house out of town ; and for the lack of that, to 

 one who has the means to build at all, there can be no 

 apology. — Ed. 



Style of the House. — This is a matter which, in all 

 its bearings, does not come within our province. The 

 rank, the fortune, and the taste of the proprietor, are 

 all entitled to be consulted, and to have their weight 

 in its determination. Still, it is universally conceded 

 that the style of the house should have some adapta- 

 tion to its site, and to the character of the scenery by 

 which it is surrounded. Much has been written on the 

 subject, and much has been said about one style for 



