The mansion and offices

1552. The mansion and offices first demand attention, as the central feature of art and refinement. What relates to the design of these groups of buildings belongs to architecture; but the situation, aspect, style, and accompaniments are within our province. In determining the situation, a great variety of circumstances, some of a general, and others of a local or peculiar nature, require to be taken into consideration. Natural shelter, dry subsoil, the view of the house from a distance, and the distant prospect seen from the house, belong to the former; and removal from the boundary of a public road, suitableness of the adjoining grounds for the garden-scenes which accompany mansions, trees already there, or so situated as to aid the effect, &c., belong to the latter. According to Repton, the choice of a situation ought to be founded on-'First, The natural character of the surrounding country; Secondly, The style, character, and size of the house; Thirdly, The aspects or exposure, both with regard to the sun and the prevalent winds of the country; Fourthly, The shape of the ground near the house; Fifthly, The views from the several apartments; and, Sixthly, the numerous objects of comfort; such as a dry soil, a supply of good water, proper space for offices, with various other conveniences essential to a mansion in the country; and which in a town may sometimes be dispensed with, or at least very differently disposed.'