which must be allowed to modify the final choice of the site as the best upon the whole.

Climate of the Site.-The general temperature and dryness of the air have a material influence on the health and comfort of a family, and, therefore, must receive due consideration. These qualities resolve themselves very much into those of the park, and of the district in which it is situated. Along the eastern shores of the United Kingdom, and in the country adjacent to these, in some places to a considerable distance inland, the climate is comparatively dry and good; but in spring and in the beginning of summer, when cold withering winds from the sea are prevalent, the east coast is found to be very trying to the constitutions of some individuals. On the west coast, and in the districts bordering on it, there is a much greater degree of humidity, which, though in itself disagreeable, is accompanied with a softness and mildness that at certain seasons make the climate pleasant and beneficial to those whose health is affected by the rude severities of the centre and the east. The interior hilly or mountainous regions of our island have a climate peculiar to themselves; yet with a varying amount of moisture and dryness, and of cloudy or clear atmosphere, they are generally healthy and bracing, and partake of the characters of the east and west, according as they approach to either coast. Some of the inland and slightly hilly districts towards the east have much of its dryness without its peculiar severity in spring, and may, therefore, be accounted the best. The general climate of the park, then, may be said to be the ruling one for the mansionhouse; but in large, and even in what may be considered small parks, there are often localities which have

modifications peculiar to themselves. These variations, though inconsiderable on flat surfaces, are sufficiently marked on undulating and hilly ones. Southern ex

posures are decidedly superior in point of warmth to northern slopes, or places lying towards the east or west. Good sites are found in the latter direction, but they are occasionally inclement; when such positions are selected they should occupy, if possible, a western declivity on the east, and an eastern declivity on the west side of the country. High and exposed situations are cold, but have a clear and bracing atmosphere. Windy positions are to be avoided; as also those which are exposed to draughts of cold air, a peculiarity less apparent to slight inspection than the other, but not less disagreeable and injurious in its effects. Aware of this, the inhabitants of hilly countries generally place the ends of their houses towards the length of the valleys, as the winds for the most part sweep up and down them in whatever direction they run; and by this arrangement the houses are assailed by fewer cross draughts than when they are set down across the valley. In dry well-sheltered localities, near the sea-coast, these peculiarities of climate are less frequently experienced than in more inland regions.

Soil and Subsoil of the Site.-The nature of the soil and subsoil of a place have a much greater influence on its climate than at first sight might be supposed. In our visits to country residences, we have often found remarkable differences of climate, which could be assigned to no other cause. Those on light dry soils and subsoils seemed cheerful and agreeable during winter, while others in the same district, with wet soils and retentive subsoils, were damp, muddy, and

uncomfortable. These differences could not fairly be attributed to differences in artificial drainage, for they were often visible on the same estate, and perhaps in the same park, one field being moist and slabby, and another being dry and airy. A little observation only is required to note these peculiarities in the various localities. Invalids are very sensible to their influences. Those places to which slight frosts are most easily attracted will always be found, if not with wet surface soils, certainly with cold, retentive, humid subsoils. These evils are best counteracted by thorough drainage; but this remedy is not always effectual, or to be so would need to be extended to a considerable range of country. Where perfect drainage cannot be secured, no residence should be formed. We should even hesitate to recommend the erection of a house on a cold site, with a tilly subsoil, for, however well drained the surface may be, the air in such situations is commonly raw and chill.

Drainage of the Site.-It is important that the site should at least possess that moderate elevation which will facilitate the drainage, not only of the locality which it immediately occupies, but the whole of its environs. The lower apartments of the house should be made completely dry, and free from the effects of surface water or neighbouring springs. Easy and well concealed sewerage from the house and offices is a matter worthy of careful attention. Indeed, the thorough drainage, not merely of the house and grounds, but of the park, and of the whole estate commanded by the windows, should be deemed indispensable. Let the reader imagine a house set down on a bank overhanging a flat marshy country of many hundred acres in extent :

nothing would be more dismal than the prospect in the first instance, and nothing might be more difficult and laborious than the subsequent efforts to improve it.

Supply of Water.-Water in sufficient quantity and of good quality is another requisite which must receive due attention in determining the site of a house. Sometimes an adequate supply of this necessary of life is by no means of easy attainment. Wells, tanks, reservoirs with pipes, and hydraulic rams, have all been resorted to, according as the natural surface of the estate has allowed or compelled the employment of one or other of these. A fountain or reservoir above the level of the mansion-house certainly deserves the preference wherever it can be formed, though its original expense may be considerable. This plan affords the greatest facilities for the introduction of water into the various apartments of the house and offices, and for yielding a sufficient supply in case of fire, a matter of some importance in regard to the safety of the property. An abundant reservoir, placed as indicated above, will provide with water the fountains on the terraces, and in the flowergardens and pleasure-grounds. In some gravelly subsoils, even when the surface is comparatively dry, a considerable quantity of water may sometimes be found at no great depth, and may be obtained by means of wells and force-pumps; but the supply can hardly ever be so abundant as that yielded by the reservoir, and the labour required to raise it is very great. The hydraulic ram is a very useful instrument where only a moderate quantity of water is needed. A small stream, with a few feet of fall, will keep it in operation, and will enable it to raise the water to a tank, say on the top of the mansionhouse, whence it may be distributed as required. We

have, however, seen it used, and, independently of the price of the machine, very considerable expense incurred, where, but for inattention or ignorance in some quarter, the much more efficient system described above might have been successfully adopted, with little or no increase of cost.

Shelter. It has already been remarked that situations exposed to high winds and cold draughts are ineligible for the site of a house. The proprietor, however, has sometimes a difficult choice to make between magnificent distant views, which add so much to the cheerfulness of a residence, and that warmth resulting from sufficient protection, and tending much to promote its comfort. Most likely he will endeavour to compound the matter between the two rival claims, and, while he risks some degree of exposure, will seek to mitigate it by means of shelter. It is commonly found that natural shelter is the most effectual. A hill, or knoll, or low ridge, particularly if covered with trees, is more efficacious than a plantation on a slope ascending to the house. A slight change of position will sometimes be found to have in this respect a noticeable influence. In an extensive park or district of country, the aerial currents generally affect a particular track, determined, perhaps, by a gap in a line of hills, the terminating of a ridge, or the contracting of the sides of a valley; and a small remove from that track, which may be ascertained by observation, may afford the protection required without much sacrifice of beauty. The site should be open, and, if natural shelter is not to be obtained, recourse must be had to planting. There are few places, indeed, except in some marine residences, in which this expedient is not of considerable value: still, in exposed