TERRACES. 



39 



to the scenery as viewed from tlie house. They may 

 also be used to conceal a one-sided slope^ or a twist in 

 the ground, which may have a disagreeable effect as seen 

 from the windows. To a house situated near a steep, 

 abrupt declivity, terraces with suitable walls may be 

 not only ornamental, but almost indispensable to the 

 protection of the inmates when walking in that part of 

 the grounds. Without them, indeed, in such situations, 

 scarcely anything in the way of ornament or convenience 

 can be effected. The adoption of terraces should be 

 suggested by the nature of the ground and the character 

 of the house, rather than by any considerations imme- 

 diately connected with themselves. Nothing is worse 

 than a terrace out of place. We generally do not expect 

 to find them on very flat surfaces, although, in certain 

 circumstances, a single terrace of low elevation has a 

 good effect. On slight decli^dties two or three feet of 

 descent will afford a suitable opportunity for introducing 

 this species of ornament. Where there is no slope, the 

 terrace may nevertheless be introduced by raising the 

 base of the house sufficiently at its first erection, and 

 then by carrying the earth that is necessary for the 

 embankment. Where there can be only a small breadth 

 of dressed grounds between the house and the park, the 

 terrace wall may form the fence of these grounds, and 

 may be more in keeping with the house than one of a 

 lighter construction. The most important position of the 

 terrace is on the drawing-room front ; but it is not neces- 

 sarily confined to that, as it may be extended along the 

 ends of the house, and even of the offices, if these latter 

 touch the side of the dressed grounds. Terraces should 

 be considered architectural formations of the grounds : as 

 such, their leading lines should be level, whether they are 



