Fig. 9 shows the balustrade treated properly, with a void opposite the walk.

Dd

FIG. 9.

If a circular bay, as in figs. 10 and 11, be made, it

FIG. 10.

is quite allowable to place in the centre an object superior in character to the ordinary vases or piers of

the balustrade, though there is a still better treatment possible.

Fig. 12 is merely the outside elevation of fig. 9, supposing it were desirable to continue the walk to the

lower level by means of steps. It is in all respects a satisfactory composition.

It is important, even in trifling details, such as individual balusters, to treat them as piers, and consequently not place one in the centre, no matter how great the distance between the piers. If they are immediately under the windows of the house, as they are most likely to be, they are sure to be counted; and when the offending baluster is once discovered, it becomes an eyesore ever afterwards.

It may seem superfluous to allude to the importance of using half piers and half balusters. It is sometimes very convenient to dispense with the half or quarter piers, but it is a complete sacrifice of architectural propriety, and, when detected, is as offensive as the central baluster.

Much may be gained by studying the balustrades of the Travellers' and Reform Clubs, and that of Bridgewater House. The latter is of especial elegance, and is treated with great breadth, without sacrificing delicacy.

}

At the entrance front may be seen the use of a cylindrical or octagonal pier for termination. Fig. 13 shows the application of a cylindrical or octagonal pier to portions of a balustrade. The square form of the pier A would give much confusion in lines, none of which are either parallel to or at right angles with the building. Either B or C would be satisfactory.

B

FIG. 13.

The writer hopes that he has succeeded in conveying some idea of what is generally understood by breadth. He does not think that variety and contrast need any special illustrations, inasmuch as everyone knows what is meant by those terms. Variety scarcely admits of explanation by means of diagrams; contrast is too simple to require them.

PRELIMINARY STEPS.

It is not the intention of the writer to enter into such subjects as soil, climate, or, indeed, if possible, anything that has been treated of elsewhere in a much fuller and better way than he could hope to do. He supposes, on the part of the reader, if a professional man, a good knowledge of the ordinary branches of the profession; and if an amateur, some acquaintance, at least, with the leading treatises on landscape gardening. The architectural hints are therefore addressed to landscape gardeners rather than to architects, for to the latter some of them may seem superfluous. The remarks on landscape gardening may be of use to the architect; and it is hoped, from the absence of technicalities, that the whole may be interesting to the amateur, who may suppose himself to be taking a tour through a property, from the turnpike road to the extreme limits of the place, noting the various objects in the order in which they present themselves.

On being desired to visit an estate in a professional capacity, it is not generally known what a saving of valuable time may be effected by writing to the employer, requesting to have the tithing or parish map at hand on your arrival. This can generally be done, as the employer is sure to be of some mark in the parish. Having got this map, it is not a difficult or lengthy operation to trace the estate, with its roads,

divisions, boundaries, turnpikes, direction of railway station or market town, magnetic meridian, situation of the house, &c., and to enlarge it five or six times by drawing squares over the small tracing, and also upon the plan on which you intend to work. This, when done, will be found of the greatest service in the field : it will be unnecessary to ask many questions, and the answers may be noted at once in some form intelligible to the professor. This will fix the information in the memory, and save harking back. Order beforehand such stakes as you think will be required, and, as a chain is seldom wanted in the first stages, be provided with a tape. An optical square, or cross staff, and a tape will go a long way towards taking such measurements as are likely to be wanted. With regard to the parish map just mentioned, there is a public office in St. James's Square where may be found the map of every parish in England, and where a copy of any portion can be obtained for a very small sum and in a very short time.

6

In the first place, it is very important that the employer should be pleased; he has his notions of what he would like, which he cannot get rid of at once merely because the landscape gardener says they are incorrect. The latter perceives a divided duty.' For his own sake, he desires to make the grounds look as well as possible. For the employer's sake, he would disturb old associations as little as may be. Much feeling enters into these matters, and a positively ugly feature