Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/880

 712 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [May, invariably found, that their strong pre- dilection, not only for carrying plans in their heads, but also for keeping them there, was too great to be overcome. There is another class of advisors, who seldom lack persistence ; and are very troublesome, in their way. These have some specialty, that you either must, or must not adopt. "You must not have a straight walk on your grounds ;" or, " You must have a circle, with a fountain in its centre, in front of the house." You must have a piazza all round your house ;" or, " Your front steps are too wide," &c. There is no absurdity, that they may not recom- mend, and no beauty, that they may not denounce. Dean Swift, in the following letter to a friend, gives a good illustra- tion of this class of counsellors : " That this letter may be all of a piece, I'll fill the rest with an account of a consultation, lately held in my neighborhood, about designing a prince- ly garden. Several critics were of sev- eral opinions. One declared he would not have too much art in it ; for my no- tion, (said he,) of gardening is, that it is only sweeping nature. Another told tbem that gravel walks were not of good taste, for all the finest abroad were of loose sand. A third advised, peremp- torily, that there should not be one lime tree in the whole plantation. A fourth made the same exclusive clause extend to horsechestnuts, which he affirmed not to be trees, but weeds. Elms were condemned by a fifth ; and thus about half the trees were pro- scribed, contrary to the paradise of God's own planting, which is expressly said to be planted with all trees. There were some, who could not bear ever- greens ; and called them nevergreens : some who were angry at them, only when cut into shapes ; and gave the modern gardeners the name of ever- green tailors : some, who had no dislike to cones and cubes ; but would have them cut in forest trees : and some who were in a passion against anything in shape, even against clipped hedges, which they called green walls. These are our men of taste, who pretend to prove it, by tasting little or nothing. Sure such a taste is like such a stomach, not a good one ; but a weak one. " I have lately been with my Lord, who is a zealous, j'et a charitable planter ; and has so bad a taste, as to like all that is good." Before a plan can be made, it will, of course, be necessary for the designer, either to visit the property, or be fur- nished with such data, as will enable him to attain a clear idea of its condition. A personal visit is always the best, and where the ground is much broken, abounding in irregularities of surface, or partially covered with trees ; or, in cases of alterations in old places, it is almost indispensable. The only substi- tute will be a topographical survey, with the position of every object defined, to- gether with a full description of the surrounding and distant scenerj', par- ticular views, the location of leading thoroughfares, character of the soil, and other objects of interest. But no accu- racy of survey, or description, will con- vey so clear a conception, as a personal inspection. There are many incidental matters, liable to be overlooked in the most elaborate descriptions, that may prove of essential importance, which will be taken in at a glance, by those accustomed to anticipate effects. A personal interview with the proprietor will be more likely to insure .a plan, in accordance with his wishes, in all par- ticulars. No abstract beauty, in a place, will ever compensate for the ab- sence of those more utilitarian objects, that are considered a necessity, for family comforts or conveniences. Where ladies are interested, their assistance will generally be found of great value, in deciding upon the arrangement of these details. As a rule, it is safe to consider, as an absolute necessit} 7, the average wishes of the family. The man- ner, as well as extent of improvement