Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/623

 59.] Descriptions. 499 Such a situation should be selected, if practicable, as shall afford as many different views as possible; and, at the same time, be easily surveyed at £he man- sion, from different points. It should also, while not far distant from the house, be easy of access to the inmates. There is less attention, we think, paid to the architectural decoration of our gardens and pleasure-grounds, than there should be. We surround ourselves with in-door comforts, and render our man- sions and our villas replete with every possible modern convenience and ele- gance, with all the luxuries that can be possessed ; but neglect too often, the erec- tion of those elegant and inexpensive structures, which make the garden pleas- ant at all seasons, and are equally de- sirable for comfort and style. It is not saying too much, that the generality of what we call " Summer-Houses " are structures, such as would — so far as re- gards architectural skill, judgment, and taste— be a disgrace to many a wander- ing savage. The erections required in gardens and pleasure-grounds are not numerous ; but, in designing them, more care is required, than perhaps in any other kind of building. The principle, which un- derlies the whole science of architecture, that every buil- ding should, in its style, be in harmony with the site on which it is placed, applies, with equal force, to garden architecture. The smallest structure, even though de- signed for inferior purposes, is not beneath the attention of the architect when it is intended to lend additional beauty to the general effect. If such are executed without design, and by an unprac- tised and unprofessional hand, instead of forming picturesque and elegant fea- tures in the landscape, they appear ridiculous, and de- tract from the otherwise pleasing architectural effect of the whole. In the hope, that our fore- going brief remarks may have an effect of drawing attention to this, hitherto, comparatively neglected branch of the art, we have, in the accompanying plate, shown an unexecuted study for a rustic Summer-House, the design of Mr. Albert Naer, of Washington, D. C. As it will be seen, it is