The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1858-11-24

as to our dwellings and grounds are two
told First-its direct and refining ef-
fects upon our own family, producing
love of home and home occupations. Sec
ond-its cheerful and healthful effect up
on all who may come within the circe of
its chastening and elevating influence.
A M1sTAKE-It is mistaken idea that
the useful is confined solely to that which
contributes to the support of animal life
that what will not directly enchance
and swell our Golfers, is misdirection OF
efFort-that the Money King is the only
monarch that can rightly claim the ale
glance of our powers 1t is sentiment
Of inspiration that men shall not live by
bread alone Man is constituted with
keen perception of the beautiful. A land
scape, a waterfall, rainbow, a flower,
group of trees, if they produce pleasure
in the beholder, are really useful. The
God of Nature is a God of endless variety
and beauty. They are scattered with
lavish expenditure through all his works.
Why are we endowed with such exquisite
perceptions Of the beautiful, if it be not
right and proper to crafty our tendencies
in that direction2 To assert that thing
is simply beautiful. but good for nothing,
is giving utterance to sheer nonsense, for
everything that is truly beautiful in all its
parts, is truly useful. The capacity of
receiving pleasure through the different
senses-of hearing, seeing, and smelling
Is as worthy of qualification, as that OF
pampering the palate with delicious viands
and often far more innocent.
A FAcT,-It is a gladsome fact that
the style of ancient architecture is receiv-
ing radical change, and is giving place
to new and modern modes, clothed with
refined elegance and taste. The late Ia
mented DOWNING has left legacy of ideas
that will be cherished as sacred treasure
in the hearts of his countrymen. But In
connection with the improvements in the
construction of our dwellings, we need to
pay far more attention to the grounds
around them. No one su6ject needs
so thorough change as this. He
who might be instrumental in producing
reform in this noble subject, would be
Justly entitled to more honor than usually
rests upon the distinguished and great.
His name would descend to posterity as
philanthropist-as benefactor Of his race.
| 1t might not be tabled in brass or marble
but it would be inscribed on tablets far
more enduring-the hearts of his country
men and their posterity forever. No
| farmhouse should be thrust into the din
and the dust of the highway. He who
does this wickedness, robs himself, bis
companion, and his children, Of full cup
of pleasure every day through all their
lives. He can scarcely compute the
amount of injustice and positive injury he
inaicts, by so fragrant breach of good
taste.
A CoNrRAsT-Let those who contem-
plate the erection of new dwellings con-
trast the picture of huge, unconely
dwelling, situated on or near the line OF a
filthy dusty thoroughfare-with barns,
COW yards, piggeries and other out-build-
ings. huddled together in one motley group
with beautiful white cottage, or farm
house, situated at a modest distances
from the road, half screened from view BY
graceful shade trees, with fine, ample
pleasure grounds artistically arranged
throughout its velvety lawn, its winding
gravel walks. its circling carriage road its
groups of evergrsens, its bowers and rustic
seats, all vieing with each other to lend
their charms and heighten and increase
its beauties having its farm buildings
neatly, tastefally and conveniently situated
in the rear, and connected by distinct
and separate entrance with the highway
then let them render their verdict in that
case by practical demonstration, which
rejects the abominable and absurd,but en-
dorses the beautiful, the chaste. and the
elegant, Tin pleasure grounds) which We
advocate. But more on this subjects at q
future time. $. B. r.
"Spring Side," VT, 1858.
*No farmhouse, should have in its pleasure
grounds less than a plot 20 rods square. From
the highway, let the house occupy position
| tbree-fourths of the distance 10 the back line
while TO the right and left, it is about equidistan
| from the lateral lines