266 PAEKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



the villas of his friends, one or other of which he may 

 be desirous of copying, or all of which he may wish 

 to differ from as much as possible, he may be rash 

 enough to make up his mind, as to his future opera- 

 tions, from reasons totally irrespective of the circum- 

 stances which should be permitted to modify, if not 

 determine, his choice. We would counsel him to leave 

 the style and arrangement of his house open questions 

 till he has ascertained the nature and extent of the 

 residence he requires, and till he has fixed on the site 

 which it is to occupy, as he will then be in a better 

 position to judge how various matters connected with 

 them should be settled. In offering some remarks on 

 this subject, we do not intend to give any special direc- 

 tions in regard to either the style or the internal ar- 

 rangements, except so far as these should obviously be 

 governed by their relation to the grounds by which 

 the house is surrounded. 



Of course the style of architecture, in villas of even 

 inconsiderable pretensions, will fall to be determined 

 by the peculiar taste of the proprietor, or will be 

 swayed by the fashion of the time, or the prevailing 

 practice of the district. "We have seen a few fine 

 specimens in the Italian or the revived antique style, 

 but it may be doubted whether they are altogether 

 suited to our colder climate, and the accessory scenery 

 in which we can array them. Probably we have more 

 numerous instances of a felicitous employment of the 

 Elizabethan, or perpendicular Gothic style, as it is 

 sometimes called. We have generally, however, been 

 impressed with a certain diminutive look presented by 

 detached buildings of this class. To be effective, they 

 must be massive to a degree which materially increases 



