PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS 



WITH 



AMERICAN NOTES. 



CHAPTER I. 



THE HOUSE AND OFFICES. 



Introduction — Climate of the Site — Soil and Subsoil — Drainage— Sup- 

 ply of "Water— Shelter — Position of the House in the Park — Elevation 

 of the Site — Extent of the Site — Style of the House — Arrangement 

 of the Interior of the House — Conservatory — Stable Court and Offices. 



The house, being the head-quarters of the family — 

 the capital, as it were, of the park or demesne— is by 

 far the most important object within the grounds, and, 

 as such, the selection of the site must take precedence 

 of all other matters, whether it be a castle or a cottage, 

 and whatever be its form and construction. While 

 this ought to be the dominant principle in the forma- 

 tion of a country residence, and while the house should 

 be made the central point, to which all operations con- 

 nected with the laying out of the park and pleasure- 

 grounds should be referred ; there are certain require- 

 ments belonging to a mansion-house, as a comfortable 

 dwelling, which must be allowed to modify the final 

 choice of site as the best upon the whole world. 



