The numbers preceding each paragraph refer to the numbers in the squares in the plan (fig. 106.).

1. Surface here only about ft ft. higher than the public road, towards which it gradually slopes. Soil loamy.

3. Surface still higher.

3. Continuing to rise.

4. About the same height as at 1. Surface apparently wet in winter, judging from the kinds of grasses growing on it; such as Carex, Phleum, etc.

5. One of the highest points within the ring fence, from which, in the direction of a. £., a tolerable view of the village church is obtained, backed by a green hill, as in sketch No. 1. (fig. 107.). The grasses chiefly rye-grass and meadow-fescue.

Remarks as to the Improvements which may be made on the Property purchased by Mr. C, etc.

1. This, being the lowest part of the ground, and also near the public road, would seem an eligible place for the entrance-lodge and the approach.

2, 8, 4. Soil good either for trees or pasture. Little or no distant view; and, therefore, this part may, if thought desirable, be covered with wood.

5. A lew yards S. E. from this point promises to be the best situation for the house, as the ground falls from it on three sides. Considering that the country has an equal claim in point of beauty all round, a square house seems the most desirable; and a square is accordingly drawn on the plan, at a, in fig. 106.

6, 7. Ground flat, but fully as high as at 5. The view from 7 to the S. E. shows a viaduct thrown over a valley for a railroad. No. 2. (fig. 108.).

6, 7. The offices may very properly be placed in this direction, so that the view may be obtained from the pleasure-grounds and the conservatory, which may be placed against the kitchen-court. There is here a very fine opportunity of connecting the conservatory with the kitchen-garden, by means of an architectural conservative wall, with an open or covered walk.

8. Even surface, and soil loamy, with a view, in a direction w. by a of fanner Swiney's house and farm-yard. See sketch No. 8. (fig. 109.).

8. A number of luxuriant docks growing here; on seeing which Mr C. said that the soil was undoubtedly bad. Endeavoured to convlnce him that docks are never found growing luxuriantly on bad soil; and, in short, that they are generally a proof of good, deep, loamy soil, as was the case here.

9,10. Surface even and soil good; From No. 10., a distant view, in the direction of 8. by B., of a viaduct for the railroad over the river Colne. See sketch No. 4. (fig. 110.).

9,10. The ground included in the squares 8, 9. and 16. being good and even, and also the adjoining squares eastward and westward being of the same description, this part of the property appears to be a very favourable situation for the kitchen-garden, which is accordingly indicated by a parallelogram at b, in fig. 106.

11. Surface undulating; subsoil said to be stony. White clover.

11. This ground will require more smoothing, in order to produce an artistical surface, than any which we have yet gone over; but the effect will be satisfactory.

12,13. Ground falls from this point to the boundary, both in a S. and an E. direction. The view to the v. by E. is of the mansion belonging to the park (a in fig. 108 in p. 199.), shown in sketch 8. (fig. 111.), and nearly directly a. to the country villa of Captain B. See sketch No. 6. (fig. 112.)*

The view W. by N. shows the river Colne, with an old bridge, as per sketch No. 7.

12, 18. Marks of ridges on the surface, the ground having been here under corn three or four years ago. At a short distance nettles growing; on which Mr. C. said, ironically, he supposed that these plants were also an indication of good soil, as well as the docks. Told him that the nettle was a domestic plant, and was seldom round anywhere, except about human habitations; and that, properly speaking, it could not be considered as an indication of the natural state of the soil, but only of the accidental circumstance of lime rubbish having been placed there, in consequence of the proximity of buildings. Mr. C. laughed at this, as the field was at a considerable distance from any house. But, on enquiry, we found that a barn had stood there formerly; on which Mr. C. observed that the nettle was not only a domestic plant, but a historical plant, as it told the previous history of the ground on which it grew.

A good situation tor a summer-house, on account of the fine views seen from it; and on the supposition that the pleasure-ground walk passes this way.

(fig. 113.); and direct E., the windmill on the heath, as per sketch 8. (fig.114).

At 14,15, and 16, the ground is low, and the views of the distant scenery not marked by any particnlar feature. Near 16., a view is obtained of an old barn turned into a cottage, in the direction of s. w. See sketch No. 9. (fig. 115.).

14,15, and 16. Low, without much exterior view, and may therefore be planted, if thought desirable. Being at one corner of the property, this would be a good situation for an archery-ground, or bowling-green. On mentioning this, the Misses C. appeared delighted at the thought of an archery-ground i but Mr. C. seemed to incline to a bowling-green. Mrs. C. thought it would be a good place for the younger children to learn to ride.

The left-hand column above gives a general idea of the surface, and sufficient indications of the soil and subsoil to enable the landscape-gardener to assist the architect in determining the best situation for the house and offices; and the remarks in the opposite column are for the same object, and also for the sake of indicating, as far as this can be done from incidental observations dropped from time to time, the taste and wishes of the proprietor and his family. The situation of the house we have indicated on the plan fig. 106. at a, that of the kitchen-garden at b, and that of the entrance-lodge at c; and these three points, being fixed on, naturally determine the situation of the offices, which must be between the house and the kitchen-garden, and that of the approach, which must be between the lodge and the house, leaving the remainder of the place to be laid out as pleasure-ground.

298. Another mode, by which the most interesting views from different points within the ring-fence mag be exhibited, is shown in fig. 116; in which the estate, and the views from it, are drawn to a scale one half smaller than in fig 106. and in the views (figs. 107. to 115.) given in the descriptive column. By the mode shown in fig. 116., all the different distant objects given in the sketches in the descriptive column, pp. 201, 202, and 203., are shown in the exact position, and at the relative distances at which they lie from the different points; the scenery of the foreground, and that of the middle distance, being, in this case, as in the descriptive column, taken no notice of.

299. A third mode consists in giving a panoramic view of the entire country, exterior to the ring-fence of the part to be laid out, as in fig. 117. This panoramic view is supposed to be taken from a temporary platform, erected in the centre of the exact situation where the mansion is to be placed, and raised 20 or 30 feet above the natural surface of the ground. The artist, in taking such a view, changes his position six times, so as to include in the panorama six connected views, each embracing an angle of 60°. This mode is calculated to give a very clear idea to a purchaser of the kind of distant scenery which will be viewed from the windows of his intended habitation; and it may be very conveniently adopted in a case which sometimes occurs; viz. of an English gentleman engaged in business in South America, or any distant country, who sends home orders to have grounds purchased, and a house built, preparatory to his return to England. The first step, in such a case, previously even to purchasing the land, would be to send out a ground plan, surrounded by a panoramic view, as in the figure just referred to.

300. Where the surface of the ground i$ considerably varied, and where it is also desired to form a correct idea of the subsoil, and, perhaps, of the mines and minerals, the kind of sectional plan exhibited in fig. 118. may be adopted. In this plan, the area is first thrown into squares, by N. and S. and E. and W. lines, as in giving surface plans. The, lowest point on the ground is next fixed on, as the level of the base line of all the sections; and on this line the rising of the ground above it, on the four sides of every square, is indicated, as in the figure. The nature of the subsoil may also be shown in such sectional plans (for example, whether it is stony, rocky, sandy, or gravelly); and, what is as useful as a knowledge of the subsoil, the depth and direction of under drains, the situation of springs, wells, pits, etc, may be accurately delineated. The levels are obtained in the manner well known to surveyors, along the lines forming the squares; and the nature of the subsoils, mines, minerals, etc., is ascertained by digging pits, boring, or trials with an iron probe.

Where the object does not extend beyond those of the cultivator or the landscape-gardener, the nature of the subsoil, for 3 or 4 feet below the surface, is all that is required to be known; and this can be attained with very little trouble. In fig, 118., a is the lowest point in the ground, from which point the approach is made to enter; b, is a square including the highest part of the grounds, on the surface of which the house and offices are placed; c, the appearance of the section when the subsoil consists of the same earths as the surface soil; d, the appearance of loose stones; e, sand; f, gravel; g, a hollow in the surface where there is a pump-well; and h, a hollow from which brick earth has been dug.