frame-ground, (8,) with a sunk pit (30) in the corner, for receiving sweepings and other refuse. The stable-yard (9) contains a coach-house, (10,) two loose boxes, (11,) a harness room and open porch, (12 and 13,) with coachman's sleeping-room and clocktower over them, the stable, (14,) and two pits (15) for manure. There is a cottage for the gardener, (16,) with a small yard, (17,) and the requisite conveniences attached. Provision for cows, pigs, and poultry is made in the separate yard, (18,) where there is a cow-house, (19,) pig-styes, (20,) and a poultry-house at 21. The garden-yard is at 22, and has in it, abutting against the back of the hothouses, a boiler-house, (23,) a mushroom-house, (24,) a tool-shed, (25,) an open shed for barrows, ladders, soils, &c., (26,) a potting-shed, (27,) a fruit-room, (28,) and, at 29, a seed-room. An early vinery (31) is, like the mushroom-house, in direct connexion with the boiler-shed, while 32 is for an orchard-house or plant-house, (span-roofed,) and 33 is a late vinery or a peach-house. At 34 are the borders for the vines or peach-trees. The kitchen-garden (35) is surrounded with a wall, and has a basin for water (36) in the centre. Places for flowerbeds, contiguous to the conservatory, and in a warm, sheltered corner, are shown at 37. The border (38) is for choice flowers, in front of part of the kitchen-garden wall, which is rendered ornamental by piers on the pleasure-grounds side, and is intended to support the better kinds of climbers. The circular figure (39) might be arranged as a small American or winter-garden, and the spaces at 40 could be used for a collection of roses, in front of a rose-covered arbour, (41,) which would constitute the termination of two walks. A road from the farm-yard, stable-yard, &c., into the field, is indicated at 42; and a walk, which might pass round the field, and through occasional plantations on the margin of the latter, leaves the pleasure-grounds at 43; the fence which divides the pleasure-grounds from the field being marked by the dotted line 44. The general lawn (45) would, of course, be clothed with masses of shrubs and specimen plants, with a few flower-beds.

It will readily be perceived, from this sketch, that a good deal of accommodation is compressed into a small compass, and that, while each of the departments is kept essentially separate, they are all, where necessary, very thoroughly and directly connected. The principal approach to the house has a branch to the stables,

and one back entrance is made to give access to the house-yard, the frame-ground, the stable-yard, and, through the latter, to the farm-yard, the yard attached to the gardener's cottage, and the field. The drying-ground is connected only with the houseyard, and has a hedge, on which linen may be hung to bleach, on one side of it. The frame-ground communicates with the house-yard and the garden-yard, and thus affords a direct way from the kitchen-garden to the back entrance door. There is also space enough for pits and frames on the north side of the frame-ground, which will be beyond the shade of walls or buildings; and the separating line between this ground and the garden-yard is merely a hedge. A cart-entrance into the frameground completes the facilities of communication, by allowing soils or manure to be introduced, or rubbish carted away. And the pit for rubbish in the corner of this ground would enable the gardener always to keep it clean and tidy.

The position of the stable-yard, on the north side of the house, is a favourable one, as there is comparatively little wind from that quarter to convey any kind of nuisance; and the stables are conveniently near, without being uncomfortably or obtrusively so. It will be noticed, too, that the stable buildings are opposite the centre of the kitchen-garden, so that the clock-tower would be an object from the middle walk; and both the stables and the farm-buildings face the south-east, which would render them dry, pleasant, and healthy. The situation of the manurepits is likewise convenient for conveying the manure to the frame-ground, the kitchen-garden, or the field; and the manure made in the cow-house and pig-styes could, by the doors into the garden-yard and into the back road, be removed with similar ease.

In the walls, too, there would be considerable economy of space and material, as most of them are made to answer a double end. The wall on the south-east and north-east sides of the kitchen-garden is capable of being used for fruit-trees on both faces, and that along the south-western margin, as just mentioned, serves for ornamental climbers on the side towards the pleasuregrounds.

By placing the gardener's cottage near the north corner of the land, the whole property is protected on that side, and the gardener is brought into the midst of his more important duties.

A path from the high road to the cottage, as shown, would enable any one to come to it independently, without a chance of their passing into the grounds.

A little architectural skill in the treatment of the various elevations, and the adoption of such details and decorations as would give harmony and consistency to the whole, might, I conceive, produce an agreeable effect of grouping from so varied an outline, and, by a judicious adaptation of the roofs, turn even the subordinate offices to advantage. On the treatment of the roofs, indeed, both as regards the material used, the pitch, the breadth of the eaves, and the diversity of elevation, the general picturesqueness and character of any group of buildings must ever very manifestly depend.

To sum up the suggestions offered under this head, though few pieces of land would perfectly fulfil all the several requirements thus set forth, it may safely be affirmed that such as make the nearest approach to them will produce the greatest amount of comfort and satisfaction, and be most permanently fertile in the various sources of pleasure. And where two places comprising a fair proportion of some of these capabilities, but wanting in others, should come into competition, the preponderance in either of those particular merits to which most importance is attached by the individual selecting, must determine their relative desirableness.

It is not for a moment supposed that the question has here been fully considered. All that has been pretended to be done is, to offer a few leading hints. The standing, occupations, or pursuits, or objects, or connexions, or tastes, of each person choosing a place for residence, will all more or less affect his own judgment. But these are matters which could not profitably be discussed.

PART II.

WHAT TO AVOID.

WHEN a physician is called in to prescribe for a patient, one of the first things which is commonly found necessary, is to advise what the invalid should abstain from taking, and how he should endeavour to escape from injurious influences. This treatment is often found sufficient without the use of any medicine, and, in all cases, greatly aids the application of more active remedies. And thus it is with respect to any one who advises on other subjects. No good foundation can be laid for such works as the present, unless all erroneous and prejudicial notions be first cleared away.

Every one acquainted with the history of science and geographical discovery will be aware that the labours of the ingenious speculatist and the pioneer, though often resulting quite abortively, as far as their particular object is concerned, are always accounted valuable by those who succeed them. It is not the mere unfolding of truth to others which constitutes the real criterion of usefulness in life. The exposure of error may be fully as necessary and as beneficial. Hence, the man who, in his travels, finds that a certain point cannot be attained by a particular route, and he who, by his scientific experiments, or imaginative flights, reveals the tracts which cannot profitably be further pursued, will sometimes accomplish nearly as much good as the more successful but less adventurous investigator.

In aiming, therefore, to bring the subject fairly before the reader, it will be necessary, at starting, to show what are the things which the amateur should not do, before proceeding to speak of such as should actually be performed. Many a person who has gardened for himself has, no doubt, for want of such beacons, irretrievably spoiled his place before discovering his