1ſtill there ought to be a continual Flux and
Reflux of Water, either from ſome Spring,
River, Lake or Sea. But concerning Fiſh
ponds which are to be ſupplied by the Sea-wa
ter, the Ancients have given us fuller Inſtruc
tions, in the following Manner. A muddy Soil
affords the beſt Nourithment for flat Fiſh, ſuch
as Soals and the like, and a ſandy is beſt for
ſhell Fiſh. The Sea itſelf is beſt for others, as
the Dory and Shark; and the Sea-thruſt and
Whiting feed beſt among the Rocks where
they are naturally bred Laſtly, they ſay that
there can be no better Pond for keeping Fiſh
in, than one ſo ſituated that the Waves of the
Sea which flow into it are continually remov
ing thoſe which were in it before, not ſuffering
the Water ever to ſtagnate, and that the ſlower
the Water is in renewing, the leſs wholeſome
it is. And thus much may ſuffice as to the
Care and Induſtry of the Farmer or Overſeer,
in the Affairs abovementioned. But we muſt
not here omit the chief Thing needful with Re
lation to the gathering together and ſtoring up
the Fruits of the Harveſt, and that is the
Threſhing-floor which ought to lie open to the
Sun and Air, and not far from the Shed men
tioned before, that upon any ſudden Rain you
may immediately remove both your Grain and
Workmen into Shelter. In order to make your
Floor, you need not give yourſelf the Trouble
to lay the Ground exactly level; but only
plain it pretty even, and then dig it up and
throw a good Quantity of Lees of Oil upon it,
and let it ſoak in thoroughly; then break the
Clods very ſmall and lay them down even,
either with a Roller or a Harrow, and beat it
down cloſe with a Rammer; then pour ſome
more Lees of Oil upon it, and when this is
dried into it, neither Mice, nor Ants will come
a-near it, neither will it ever grow poachy or
produce Graſs or Weeds. Chalk likewiſe adds
a good Deal of Firmneſs to a Work of this
Nature. And thus much for the Habitation
of the Labourers.
Reflux of Water, either from ſome Spring,
River, Lake or Sea. But concerning Fiſh
ponds which are to be ſupplied by the Sea-wa
ter, the Ancients have given us fuller Inſtruc
tions, in the following Manner. A muddy Soil
affords the beſt Nourithment for flat Fiſh, ſuch
as Soals and the like, and a ſandy is beſt for
ſhell Fiſh. The Sea itſelf is beſt for others, as
the Dory and Shark; and the Sea-thruſt and
Whiting feed beſt among the Rocks where
they are naturally bred Laſtly, they ſay that
there can be no better Pond for keeping Fiſh
in, than one ſo ſituated that the Waves of the
Sea which flow into it are continually remov
ing thoſe which were in it before, not ſuffering
the Water ever to ſtagnate, and that the ſlower
the Water is in renewing, the leſs wholeſome
it is. And thus much may ſuffice as to the
Care and Induſtry of the Farmer or Overſeer,
in the Affairs abovementioned. But we muſt
not here omit the chief Thing needful with Re
lation to the gathering together and ſtoring up
the Fruits of the Harveſt, and that is the
Threſhing-floor which ought to lie open to the
Sun and Air, and not far from the Shed men
tioned before, that upon any ſudden Rain you
may immediately remove both your Grain and
Workmen into Shelter. In order to make your
Floor, you need not give yourſelf the Trouble
to lay the Ground exactly level; but only
plain it pretty even, and then dig it up and
throw a good Quantity of Lees of Oil upon it,
and let it ſoak in thoroughly; then break the
Clods very ſmall and lay them down even,
either with a Roller or a Harrow, and beat it
down cloſe with a Rammer; then pour ſome
more Lees of Oil upon it, and when this is
dried into it, neither Mice, nor Ants will come
a-near it, neither will it ever grow poachy or
produce Graſs or Weeds. Chalk likewiſe adds
a good Deal of Firmneſs to a Work of this
Nature. And thus much for the Habitation
of the Labourers.
CHAP. XVII.
Of the Country Houſe for a Gentleman; its various Parts, and the proper
Diſpoſition of each of thoſe Parts.
Diſpoſition of each of thoſe Parts.
Some are of Opinion that a Gentleman's
Country Houſe ſhould have quite diffe
rent Conveniencies for Summer and for Win
ter; and the Rules they give for this Purpoſe
are theſe: The Bed-chambers for the Winter
ſhould look towards the Point at which the
Sun riſes in Winter, and the Parlour, towards
the Equinoctial Sun-ſetting; whereas the Bed
chambers for Summer ſhould look to the South,
the Parlours, to the Winter Sun-riſing, and the
Portico or Place for walking in, to the South.
But, in my Opinion, all theſe Conveniencies
ought to be varied according to the Difference
of the Country and Climate, ſo as to temper
Heat by Cold and Dry by Moiſt. I do not
think it neceſſary for the Gentleman's Houſe
to ſtand in the moſt fruitful Part of his whole
Eſtate, but rather in the moſt Honourable,
where he can uncontrolled enjoy all the Pleaſures
and Conveniencies of Air, Sun, and fine Pro
ſpects, go down eaſily at any Time into his
Eſtate, receive Strangers handſomely and ſpaci
ouſly, be ſeen by Paſſengers for a good Way
round, and have a View of ſome City, Towns,
the Sea, an open Plain, and the Tops of ſome
known Hills and Mountains. Let him have
the Delights of Gardens, and the Diverſions of
Fiſhing and Hunting cloſe under his Eye. We
have in another Place obſerved, that of the dif
ferent Members of a Houſe, ſome belong to the
whole Family in general, other to a certain
Number of Perſons in it, and others again on
ly to one or more Perſons ſeparately. In our
Country Houſe, with Regard to thoſe Members
which belong to the whole Family in general,
let us imitate the Prince's Palace. Before the
Door let there be a large open Space, for the
Exerciſes either of Chariot or Horſe Racing,
much longer than a Youth can either draw a
Bow or throw a Dart. Within the Houſe,
with Regard to thoſe Conveniencies neceſſary
for a Number of Perſons in the Family, let
there not be wanting open Places for Walking,
Swimming, and other Diverſions, Court-yards,
Graſs-plots and Porticoes, where the old Men
may chat together in the kindly Warmth of
the Sun in Winter, and where the Family may
divert themſelves and enjoy the Shade in Sum
mer. It is manifeſt ſome Parts of the Houſe
are for the Family themſelves, and others for
Country Houſe ſhould have quite diffe
rent Conveniencies for Summer and for Win
ter; and the Rules they give for this Purpoſe
are theſe: The Bed-chambers for the Winter
ſhould look towards the Point at which the
Sun riſes in Winter, and the Parlour, towards
the Equinoctial Sun-ſetting; whereas the Bed
chambers for Summer ſhould look to the South,
the Parlours, to the Winter Sun-riſing, and the
Portico or Place for walking in, to the South.
But, in my Opinion, all theſe Conveniencies
ought to be varied according to the Difference
of the Country and Climate, ſo as to temper
Heat by Cold and Dry by Moiſt. I do not
think it neceſſary for the Gentleman's Houſe
to ſtand in the moſt fruitful Part of his whole
Eſtate, but rather in the moſt Honourable,
where he can uncontrolled enjoy all the Pleaſures
and Conveniencies of Air, Sun, and fine Pro
ſpects, go down eaſily at any Time into his
Eſtate, receive Strangers handſomely and ſpaci
ouſly, be ſeen by Paſſengers for a good Way
round, and have a View of ſome City, Towns,
the Sea, an open Plain, and the Tops of ſome
known Hills and Mountains. Let him have
the Delights of Gardens, and the Diverſions of
Fiſhing and Hunting cloſe under his Eye. We
have in another Place obſerved, that of the dif
ferent Members of a Houſe, ſome belong to the
whole Family in general, other to a certain
Number of Perſons in it, and others again on
ly to one or more Perſons ſeparately. In our
Country Houſe, with Regard to thoſe Members
which belong to the whole Family in general,
let us imitate the Prince's Palace. Before the
Door let there be a large open Space, for the
Exerciſes either of Chariot or Horſe Racing,
much longer than a Youth can either draw a
Bow or throw a Dart. Within the Houſe,
with Regard to thoſe Conveniencies neceſſary
for a Number of Perſons in the Family, let
there not be wanting open Places for Walking,
Swimming, and other Diverſions, Court-yards,
Graſs-plots and Porticoes, where the old Men
may chat together in the kindly Warmth of
the Sun in Winter, and where the Family may
divert themſelves and enjoy the Shade in Sum
mer. It is manifeſt ſome Parts of the Houſe
are for the Family themſelves, and others for