International Styles

General Plan of Garden


Upon the principle laid down in the last diagram, the general plan of a garden represented in the picture under is developed. The shadowed surface indicates that the ground is undulating, and that the house is situated on its highest point, adequately in view from outside, and capable of commanding its own domain; the fly leaf shows the circumstances of the place prior to the improvement suggested.

Plan of a Garden

Although the ground was not of the precise form or proportion of the engraving, fitting it to the page has not altered its character. A large barn or stable was situated near the present lodge, and the lower ground was completely occupied by the manufacture of tiles and red pottery ; which, in the course of the workable strata, materially added to its undulations, and increased a small running brook to irregular holes and ponds. As the design of such a property, small as it is, naturally leads to the chief points of arrangement for every other of similar and even lower class of pretence, and as it will be found useful to apply to a plan occasionally during the several discussions; to this plate reference is made for the purpose of ocular illustrations of such points as may be advanced, and in this inspection the advantage of forming a general plan of every part, in the first instance, may thence possibly more forcibly preseiin itself to the owner of an estate who is desirous to improve its features scientifically and with taste.

This picture shows the house so situated that its aspects are good, and the views as extensive as the ground allows. The stables are adequately removed to prevent offence, and are easy of access without too near an approach to the house. The home buildings are separated from the house by a corridor and side entrance of communication to both, being an entrance for general use in addition to the central portico. The servants' entrance would be at the end of the buildings next toward the stable yard, and so approached by the branch of road leading to its gates.

The plan of the house is supposed to contain, on the ground floor, a hall of entrance, and corridor or breakfast room beyond it, through which the view would pass along the covered avenue., commanding the conservatory, and onward to the garden and rosiary. The hall being from its aspect necessarily in shade, and the objects beyond becoming splendidly illumined by its southern exposure, they would be striking from the contrast, and produce a cheerfulness of effect very desirable towards exciting a favourable impression of the house upon a first visit. The position of the dining room would be North East; the drawing room presents to the South East, the best aspect for its occupancy; it has also openings beneath a verandah towards the South West; a spacious gallery for statues, models, pictures and books is added in the rear, but connected with the drawing room by means of the intermediate corridor: it opens into a covered way, communicating with the flower garden, the kitchen garden, and stable yard; a coat room and pantry are situated near the side entrance.

The kitchen garden is so placed as to allow immediate communication for the gardener to the flower garden, the kitchen yard, and the melon ground, and this is in close connection with the stables: whence its very important materials of cultivation are supplied.




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