This section is from the book "The Villa Gardener", by J. C. Loudon. Also available from Amazon: The Villa Gardener.
Every place may be considered as producing three leading impressions on the mind of a stranger: that called forth by the entrance lodge, gates, and the portion of the approach which is seen through the latter; that which is produced by the first good view of the house, obtained from the approach road; and that which is obtained from the draw-ing-room windows, after entering the house. There are many houses in romantic or other extraordinary situations, to which these remarks may not be strictly applicable; but that they are so to all country houses in comparatively flat or tame countries, we think few persons of observation will doubt In this section, therefore, we shall submit a few supplementary observations on each of these points, commencing with the entrance lodge and gates.
 
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