In proceeding to lay out the grounds of a country residence, the first point that requires to he determined is, the situation of the house and domestic offices; the latter including the kitchen-court and the stable-court. We have already said so much on the advantages of a situation for the house so far elevated as to he commanding, and on a soil so dry, and a surface so open, as to be healthy, that we shall not enlarge further upon these subjects here; hut the site of the house, relatively to the public road and the boundary fence, remains to he considered. Where there are offensive objects in or near the boundary, there is a motive for placing the house at a distance from it; but, where this is not the case, the house may he set down on the spot containing the best views, provided that spot allows of properly placing and disposing of the offices and kitchen-garden. Where it is intended that the establishment shall be small, there will often be found great convenience in placing the house near the public road and main entrance, in order to lessen tile labour of servants in attending the gates.

On the other hand, in the case of complete establishments, a situation at some distance from the public road has the advantage of concentrating the business of the establishment, and thus bringing all the servants more immediately under the eye and control of the master and mistress. Where it is desired to make a place look larger than it is, an advantage is gained by placing the house at a great distance from the entrance-lodge; because the approach road is thus lengthened, and the impression on the stranger, in regard to the extent of the place, is heightened in proportion to the length of space which he has to travel over between the entrance-lodge and the front door of the mansion. This idea of extent is greatly increased when the approach road separates into two branches at a short distance within the entrance-gates, and where one road is devoted to going to the mansion, and the other to returning from it; provided, however, that the one road is not seen from the other.