194 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



is often a liappy situation ; for though it may occasionally 

 suffer from high winds^ it will enjoy a purer and drier 

 atmosphere than is to be found lower down in the valley. 

 We do not object to flat surfaces^ provided they are 

 formed of light porous soils. Deep clay and retentive 

 subsoils ought, by all means, to be avoided. A facility for 

 perfect drainage ought to be regarded as an indispensable 

 property in a villa residence. The soil should be rather 

 light than otherwise, and certainly should not approach 

 to strong clay, as the latter has a tendency to create 

 damp, to make the climate cold and the garden late^ to 

 prevent the walks from drying rapidly, and to impart, 

 during most kinds of weather, a raw uncomfortable 

 aspect to the grounds. It is frirther to be noted, that 

 direct and immediate proximity to some great frequented 

 thoroughfare is far from being desirable : for in such 

 places the dust, blown from the public road in dry 

 seasons, often amounts to a positive nuisance. 



Roads. — At first sight the reader may suppose that the 

 villa has little to do with public roads, as it seldom requires 

 a long approach, and may seem to have no other connec- 

 tion with the subject. Such, however, is too hasty a con- 

 clusion. Public roads are of about as much importance 

 to a villa as an approach is to a mansion-house in the 

 country. Unless the roads in a district are well formed 

 and kept in good repair, most of the comfort and enjoy- 

 ment yielded by an otherwise perfect site, will be in 

 great measure neutralized. What is more disagreeable 

 than to drive or wade through a rugged lane or iU-kept 

 parish road, in order to reach a country-house? To 

 persons about to form residences in such locaUties, we 

 would say. Be not deceived with the idea that these roads 

 are easily ameliorated : the public boards who have the 



