320 
LANDSCAPE GAHDEN1NG. 
combinations of boards and shingles, without the least 
attempt at adaptation to situation ; and square masses 
of brick start up here and there, in the verdant slopes 
of our village suburbs, appearing as if they had been 
transplanted, by some unlucky incantation, from the close- 
packed neighborhood of city residence, and left acciden- 
tally in the country, or, as Sir Walter Scott has re- 
marked, “ had strayed out to the country for an airing.” 
What then are the proper characteristics of a rural 
residence? The answer to this, in a few words, is, such 
a dwelling, as from its various accommodations, not only 
gives ample space for all the comforts and conveniences 
of a country life, but by its varied and picturesque form 
and outline, its porches, verandas, etc., also appears to 
have some reasonable connexion, or be in perfect keeping, 
with surrounding nature. Architectural beauty must be 
considered conjointly with the beauty of the landscape or 
situation. Buildings of almost every description, and 
particularly those for the habitation of man, will be 
considered by the mind of taste, not only as architectural 
objects of greater or less merit, but as component parts 
of the general scene ; united with the surrounding lawn, 
embosomed in tufts of trees and shrubs, if properly 
designed and constructed, they will even serve to impress 
a character upon the surrounding landscape. Their effect 
will frequently be good or bad, not merely as they are 
excellent or indifferent examples of a certain style of 
building, but as they are happily or unhappily combined 
with the adjacent scenery. The intelligent observer will 
readily appreciate the truth of this, and acknowledge the 
value, as well as necessity, of something besides archi- 
tectural knowledge. And he will perceive how much 
