198 



PARKS AND PLEASURE-GROUNDS. 



Style and arrangement of the House. — These are sub- 

 jects wHch. have probably occupied the attention of a 

 gentleman who has resolved to form for himself a sub- 

 urban residence, even before he has taken any steps to 

 procure a site in a particular locality. Examining the 

 viUas of his Mends, 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 operations, from 

 reasons totally irrespective of the circumstances 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 as- 

 certaiaed the nature and extent of the residence he re^ 

 quires, 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 directions in regard to 

 either the style or the internal arrangements, except so 

 far as these should obviously be governed by their rela- 

 tion to the grounds by which the house is surrounded. 



Of course the style of architecture, in viUas of even 

 inconsiderable pretensions, will fall to be determined by 

 the peculiar taste of the proprietor, or wiU 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 per- 

 pendicular Gothic style, as it is sometimes called. We 



