Chapter XII. Of the Site to be chosen for the fabricks of Villa’s

THE city houses are certainly of great splendour and conveniency to a gentleman who is to reside in them all the time he shall require for the administration of the republic, or for directing his own affairs. But perhaps he will not reap much less utility and consolation from the country house; where the remaining part of the time will be passed In facing and adorning his own possessions, and by industry, and the art of agriculture, improving his estate; where also by the exercise which in a villa is commonly taken, on foot and on horseback, the body will the more easily preserve its strength and health; and, finally, where the mind, fatigued by the agitations of the city, will be greatly rest'd and comforted, and be able quietly to attend the studies of letters, and contemplation.

Hence it was the antient sages commonly used to retire to such like places; where being oftentimes visited by their virtuous friends and relations, having houses, gardens, fountains, and such like pleasant places, and above all, their virtue, they could easily attain to as much happiness as can be attained here below.

Having now, by the help of God, gone through what I had to say concerning city houses; it is just that we proceed to those of the country, in which private and family affairs are chiefly transacted,

But before we come to the designs of these, it seems not improper to say something concerning the situation or place to be chosen for those fabricks, and of their disposition; because, as we are not confined (as commonly happens in cities) by publick walls, or those of our neighbours, to certain and determinate bounds, it is the business of a wife architect, with the utmost care and diligence, to seek and find out a convenient and healthy place: since we are, for the most part, in the country during the summer season; at which time, even in the most healthy places, our bodies become weak and sickly, by reason of the heat.

In the first place therefore, let a place be chosen as convenient as possible, and in the middle of the estate, that the owner, without much trouble, may view and improve it on every side, and that the fruits thereof may be the more conveniently carried by the labourers to his house,

It one may build upon a river, it will be both convenient and beautiful; because at all times, and with little expence, the products may be convey'd to the city in boats, and will serve for the uses of the house and cattle. Besides the cooling the air in summer very much, it will afford a beautiful prospect, with which the estates, pleasure and kitchen gardens may with great utility and ornament be water'd, which are the sole and chief’ recreation of a villa.

But if navigable rivers cannot be had, one must endeavour to build near some other running water; and above all to get at a distance from standing waters, because they generate a very bad air: which we may very easily avoid, if we build upon elevated and cheerful places, where the air is, by the continual blowing of the winds, moved; and the earth, by its declivity, purged of all” ill vapours and moisture: and where the inhabitants are healthy and cheerful, and preserve a good colour, and are not molested by gnats and other small animals, which are generated by the putrefaction of still fenny waters,

AND because the waters are very necessary to human life, and according to their various qualities they produce in us different effects; some generating the spleen, others glandulous swellings in the neck, others the stone, and many other diseases:

GREAT care ought therefore to be taken, not to build near those waters which have any odd taste, or which partake of any colour; but be clear, limpid, and subtile, and which, being sprinkled upon a white cloth, do not stain it: because these will be certain signs of their goodness,

THERE are many methods to find whether the waters are good, taught us Vitruvius: but that water is deemed perfect which makes good bread, and in which greens are quickly boiled; and which, being boiled, does leave any fur or sediment at bottom of the vessel,

IT will be an excellent sign of the goodness of the water, if, where it passes, one does not see moss or rushes grow; but the place is clean, beautiful, and has sand or gravel at the bottom, and is not soul and muddy.:

The £ animals which are accustomed to drink of them, will also be an indication of the goodness and salubrity of the waters, if they are lively, robust, and fat, and not weak and can,

But T with regard to the wholefomnefs of the air, besides the aforesaid particulars the antient edifices will give an indication thereof, if they are not corroded and spoiled: if the trees are well nourished and beautiful, and not bent in any part by the winds, and if they are not such as grow in fenny places.

And if the stones produced in those places do not appear on the surface to be putrified; and also if the colour of the inhabitants be natural, and shews a good temperature,

One ought not to build in valleys enclosed between mountains; because edifices in valleys are there hid, and are deprived of seeing at a distance, and of being seen. These are without dignity and grandeur, and also entirely contrary health; because the earth being impregnated by the rains that settle there, sends forth pestiferous vapours, infecting both the body and mind; the spirits being by them weaken'd, the joints and nerves emasculated: and what is lodged in the granaries will corrupt through the too great moisture,

Besiprs which, if the sun happens to thine, the reflection of its rays will cause excessive heats; and if it doth not, the continual shade will render the people in a manner stupid and discoloured.

And Dp when the winds enter into the fid valleys, it will be with too much fury, as if it were through narrow channels; and when they do not blow, the collected air ‘will grow gross and unhealthy.

When When there is a necessity of building upon a mountain, let a situation be chosen facing a temperate part of the heaven, and which is not by higher mountains continually shaded, nor scorched (as it were by two funs) by the sun’s reverberation from some neighbouring rock; for in either of these cases it will be exceeding bad to dwell in,

An, finally, in the choice of the situation for the building a villa, all those consider~ tion ought to be had, which are necessary in a city house; since the city is as it were but a great house, and, ou the contrary, a country house is a little city.