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exist in places proper for an house in every other respect, it is sometimes
possible for art to supply
what nature seems to have denied: but it is not possible in all cases; a
circumstance which proves
'the absurdity of those architects who design and plan an house, without
any previous knowledge of
'the situation or shape of the ground on which it is to be built.-Such errors
I have had too fre-
'quent occasion to observe.
I When the shape is naturally either concave, or perfectly flat, the house
would not be habitable,
unless the ground sloped sufficiently to throw the water from it: this is
often effected, in a slight
degree, merely by the earth that is dug from the cellars and foundations:
but if, instead of sinking
the cellars, they were to be built upon the level of the ground, they may
afterwards be so covered
with earth, as to give all the appearance of a natural knoll, the ground
falling from the house to any
distance where it may best unite with the natural shape, as shown at E, F,
and G: or, as it fre-
quently happens that there may be small hillocks, H and I, near the house,
one of them may be
removed to effect this purpose.* This expedient can also be used in an inclined
plane, falling towards
the house, where the inclination is not very great, as shown at L; but it
may be observed of the
inclined plane, that the size of the house must be governed in some measure
by the fall of the ground;
since it is evident, that although an house of an hundred feet deep might
stand at K, yet it would
require an artificial terrace on that side; because neither of the dotted
lines shown there would con-
nect with the natural shape; and where the ground cannot be made to look
natural, it is better at all
* As at Donington, a seat of Earl Moira, where the house forms a quadrangle,
inclosing an inner court, a whole story lower than
appears externally.