192 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



Our remarks on tlie villa may be arranged under two 

 headsj the first presenting certain general and prelimi- 

 nary considerations^ and tlie second containing directions 

 for the laying-ont of its grounds. 



Sect. I. — General Properties of the Villa. 



The Locality. — There are certain circnmstances of a 

 local nature which are of much consequence to the pro- 

 prietor of a villa. If he possesses that taste for society 

 which is common to all^ except persons of recluse 

 habits^ he will find it important to have a pleasant vici- 

 nage^ and to be placed near a respectable and healthy 

 class of population. "When the villa is to be formed in a 

 suburban or semi-suburban district, it should^ if possible, 

 be set down between the city and the points from which 

 the prevailing winds blow. Westerly or south-westerly 

 winds are probably the most common in these islands ; 

 and therefore the best situations in this respect are to be 

 found from the south-east round by south to the north- 

 west of the city. If easterly winds predominate, the 

 preferable sites will be on the reverse half of the compass, 

 that is, from north by east, to south. By attending to 

 this principle, the inhabitant of the villa will live in purer 

 air than he would otherwise do, and will reduce the nui- 

 sance necessarily arising from the smoke of the city to 

 its minimum. For the same reason the vicinity of public 

 works should be avoided. Some of them vitiate the air 

 by the emission of chemical vapours, all are largely pro- 

 ductive of smoke, and, not to speak of the bustle wliich 

 they create on the roads, present, in their tall staring 

 chimneys and bulky unshapely fabrics, objects of con- 

 templation by no means agreeable to the eye. Besides, 



