65. Country houses may be divided into three classes.

1. Suburban Residences

These may be subdivided into two kinds; vis. those of the smallest kind, which form a continuous row, or street, with small gardens before and behind each house, the whole of the garden ground varying from one-fourth to half an acre; and those of the larger kind, which, though they form part of a broken row or street, are wholly or partly detached from the other houses, and have often gardens of considerable size, which surround the house, either entirely, or on three sides. The larger villas of this kind have pleasure-grounds from half an acre to two acres in extent, and comprise a lawn, shrubbery, flower-garden, and kitchen-garden.

2. Country Villas

Country villas, each standing in its own pleasure-grounds; with an approach-road, or sweep up to the house; a walled kitchen-garden, with forcing-houses; and stable offices. The extent of gardens of this class is from two to ten acres.

3. Country Mansions

Country mansions, which have each a park, pleasure-grounds, separate gardens and hot-houses, and sometimes a farm attached: the extent of the grounds being from ten acres upwards.

We shall describe each of these kinds of country-houses in succession; first making some general observations common to all dwellings of each class; and then giving a few ground plans, as examples of each kind, and adding all the necessary details.