Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/833

 BEAU IDEAL OF AN ENGLISH VILLA. 809 proporlv- so called. The surface slopes from the south and west fronts of the mansion to a lake and parklike pastures. The pleasure-ground is extensive, and has an undulating surface, which is planted with groups of trees and shrubs on the turf, forming lawns, thickets, &c. The walks through it are judiciously arranged ; and, indeed, the whole is so contrived, that it appears much more extensive than it really is : it contains a variety of trees, including a group of noble cedars on the highest ground, and some ancient yews and cypresses near the house. In a bright summer evening, tb.e view from the western terrace to the lake and rising grounds bej-ond it, bounded by wood, presents a beautiful natural picture. I would attempt something of this kind at the back of the villa ; the principal lawn in the pleasure-ground being in front of the bay window at the end of the librarj-, with some architectural embellishment, as a seat or temple within view. The pleasure-ground should communicate with extensive walks through the natural wood of the eminence behind the villa. These would be merely wood walks, not highly kept, with occasional openings through the trees at those points where a fine distant view, or any interesting object m the surrounding scenery, could be commanded. A few rustic seats placed at these points would be appropriate ornaments for the wood walk. 1726. The Farm. The nest appendage to the villa, which requires attention, is the farm. Every country gentleman possessing a residence such as we have described should occupy a farm of sufficient extent to supply the family with provisions ; such as meat, bread, beer, poultry, raUk, butter, cheese, &c. The perfection of rural economy is to purchase nothing which the estate can be made to produce ; and the advantage of this system, under judicious management, is, that j-ou have an abundance of everj^ thing, and a liberal style of housekeeping, at prime cost. Thus, under the system of management supposed, besides the ordinary provisions supplied by the farm, the estate generally would afford game and wildfowl ; the park and the waters in it would supply venison and freshwater fish of several kinds ; and the gardens and orchards all sorts of fruits and vegetables ; so that there would be nothing to purchase for the house, except groceries and chandlery. I have often partaken of very elegant dinners at a house in one of the midland counties, where the table was supplied almost exclusively with home produce. We had not, perhaps, a dish of sea-fish ; but we had what was much better than half-stale fish, procured from London at great expense, or from a neighbouring town when it had been, perhaps, ten days out of the water; instead of this, we had a dish of the finest carp or tench I ever met with, or probably a jack, or eels, each taken from the stew-ponds immediately before dinner, and thus eaten in the highest perfection. The meat, poultrj', and game were all home produce ; and, perhaps, a dish of oranges was the only foreign article at the dessert, which always presented a display of the finest sorts of forced and natural fryit. If it be said that it would be, perhaps, better economy to buy than to produce these luxuries, I answer, that, in that case, things are not well managed ; and probably the owner of the place is a thoughtless idle person, who does not make him- self properly acquainted with his own concerns. But, supposing it to be rather more expensive to produce than to purchase luxuries ; at all events, when you produce them, you have them in great abundance ; they are always ready on any sudden emergency; and, in fact, you have them much oftener than you would do, were you obliged to procure them from a dealer. Besides this, by producing, you afford employment and a comfort- able maintenance to many of your dependants, who would otherwise, perhaps, be supported by the poor's rate, or be breaking stones upon the roads. But the most important reason why a country gentleman should farm to a certain extent is, that it introduces him to a knowledge of agriculture, and every thing connected with land, and thus qualifies him to superintend the management of his own estate. The produce of his own farm would enable him to form a correct judgment as to the rent he should i-eceive from his tenants. He may try experiments, and introduce useful modern improvements among the neighbouring farmers. A knowledge of agriculture will also increase his ability to be useful as a country gentleman and justice of the peace ; and will cause hira to be more thought of by his neighbours, who are apt to despise those who are wholly ignorant of rural pursuits. The management of a farm is also an additional source of out-door amusement to a person residing in a retired part of the country ; and it more- over adds to his weight and consequence, by increasing the number of his dependants ; besides giving him a knowledge of the condition of the labouring classes, and enabling him to do them many little kindnesses, such as finding an industiious man a job when he is out of work, which he probably could not do if he did not occupy a farm. For these and other reasons, I think every country gentleman should be a farmer to a certain extent ; the size of the farm to be determined by the wants of his family. But I would not have him a large farmer, because a large farm is more a source of anxiety than amusement : it would occupy too much of his time and attention ; and, if not ^vell managed, would be attended with considerable expense. I would have him also a good farmer, 5 A