POSITION OF THE HOUSE IN THE PARK. 7 



localities^ the progress of wood is slow, and one genera- 

 tion may pass away before the resnlt desired can be 

 effectually secured. Meanwhile^, the builder of the 

 house may have derived little benefit from the trees 

 which he has planted and reared with great expense. 

 Even for a marine residence the shelter of a large rock 

 or knoU is of much consequence. For the sake of a dry 

 and warm site, I should be much disposed to forego 

 some other more showy qualities. 



Position of the House in the Park. — The relation 

 of the mansion-house to the various points of the sur- 

 rounding domain requires attentive consideration, and 

 yet it is a subject on which it is difficult to give specific 

 directions. The whole circumstances connected with the 

 locahty, the surface of the ground, and the facilities of 

 access, must be taken into account. We believe that a 

 site near the centre of the park, other things being equal, 

 is generally preferred. Sometimes necessity obliges the 

 choice of one much nearer the boundary ; and such a 

 position, when well jDrotected from external annoyance, 

 either by the form of the ground or by the intervention 

 of a lake or arm of the sea, or by a considerable breadth 

 of plantation, instead of being a disadvantage is the 

 reverse, especially when the views, from the public 

 rooms, parkward, are by that means extended both in 

 length and breadth. This observation, however, relates 

 chiefly to places of moderate size. In smaller parks, on 

 account of the limitation of space, it is more difficult to 

 form a fine piece of lawn or park scenery when the 

 house assumes a central position ; and there is generally 

 a want of that depth which is attainable when it is set 

 down near one side or end of the place. Excellent sites 

 may often be selected near the shore of an arm of the 



