THE SITE. 



259 



amid tlie noisome atmosphere of sewers, chemical 

 works, or huge, sooty manufactories. Some of our 

 manufacturing towns boast many and beautiful resi- 

 dences of the kind ; but propelled, as the machinery 

 of our factories usually is, by water, the locality of the 

 villa is usually in a pure atmosphere, and under a clear 

 sky. "When otherwise situated, as in the vicinity of 

 our coal districts and iron manufactories, the remarks 

 of our author can not be too closely followed. — Ed. 



The Site. — Before proceeding to select a site, the 

 future proprietor should be satisfied that he has fixed 

 on a proper locality, and on a neighborhood of easy 

 access. The site, however, is generally much less 

 within the power of absolute choice ; probably he will 

 find the best already occupied, and his only resource 

 may be to adopt a secondary position, or to seek for a 

 better in another district, in all respects not so desir- 

 able. The best site is one moderately elevated, with a 

 warm, sunny exposure. We say, moderately elevated ; 

 and this quality should be specially attended to when 

 the general range of the surrounding country is high ; 

 for though some sites, from their elevation, may com- 

 mand superior views, and may afford comparative 

 seclusion, yet these advantages may be more than 

 counterbalanced by their increased exposure and greater 

 difficulty of access. It is nevertheless very desirable 

 that there should be some tolerable views from the 

 windows of the principal rooms of the house, as these 

 very much promote the habitual cheerfulness of the 

 residence. A rounded swell or gently-sloping ridge is 

 often a happy situation; for, though it may occasion- 

 ally suffer from high winds, it will enjoy a purer and 

 drier atmosphere than is to be found lower down in 



