. Gardens for small country houses . Gardens, English. Steps and Stairynays. 89 semi-circular on plan, such as is si^en at Owlpen Manor (Fig. 113). When a considerable difference in level between two parts of a garden is masked by a wall pierced with a communicating door, an interesting feature can be made of the necessary steps. In gardens frequented by children—and it is a sad place that never knows their hurrying footsteps—unrailed stairs are not without danger. It is not difficult to see that, for young folk, the doorway illustrated in Fig. 114 demands to be made the scene for those swift
. Gardens for small country houses . Gardens, English. Steps and Stairynays. 89 semi-circular on plan, such as is si^en at Owlpen Manor (Fig. 113). When a considerable difference in level between two parts of a garden is masked by a wall pierced with a communicating door, an interesting feature can be made of the necessary steps. In gardens frequented by children—and it is a sad place that never knows their hurrying footsteps—unrailed stairs are not without danger. It is not difficult to see that, for young folk, the doorway illustrated in Fig. 114 demands to be made the scene for those swift comings and goings that belong to the search lor treasure and the rescue of distressed maidens. The top step is obviously the place for the last stand of a devoted retainer, sworn to defend the brave lady of his absent lord. The shadow of the wall is no less clearly the place where conspirators will gather with hood and lantern, until the door flies open and the heroic knight leaps on them sword in hand. All this is right and proper, and it is one of the justifications of garden architecture that it provides a stage. But an un- guarded stair in conjunction with a doorway that conceals its dangers is a trap that may break young heads, and this aspect of the matter needs to be remembered. There is more of safety in the provision even of a low coping that follows the line of the steps, as the angled stairway shown in m Fig. 115. In the case of broad stepping that leads down to terrace walks it is often pleasant to break its line by a little pool or other projection from the upper level, such as is indicated by the treatment which Mr. Walter Cave^^ employed at Ewelme Down (Fig. 116). Small gardens of gentle slope must usually be formed as a series of shallow terraces for reasons of economy, and the stepped scheme at Home Place, Holt, designed by Professor E. S. Prior, will be a counsel of perfection to most people. Still, it is illustrated in. 'FIG. 116. POOL. (M/O-. Please not
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Keywords: ., bookcentury1900, bookdecade1910, booksubjectgardens, bookyear1913
