I send you enclosed, drawings, by which you can set about the work of subgrading your home grounds and building the terrace wall. In this plan [505]

[506] the height of the wall is less than has been contemplated in our conversations. I think the result will be on the whole equally satisfactory and the cost less. The only important modification or addition to the plan grows out of Mrs. Phillip’s wish for “an old fashioned flower-garden.”

An old fashioned flower-garden is largely made up of a class of perennials which at times have a sprawling habit and close under the windows of a house are apt to appear disorderly and a little out of place. I have therefore planned a garden of the old fashioned kind at the south end of the lawn so situated that it will be looked down upon from the pavillion. The outline of this garden fits the ground nicely. The larger part of it is intended to be in turf with beds defined by box edgings. The surface is to decline gently from the outside to the central circle, like a palm leaf fan pressed down by the handle. If you think it too extensive as thus laid out the beds can be reduced and the proportion of turf increased or the periphery contracted. Mr. Haskell will be able to lay the work out from these drawings. If he should be in doubt at any point, let me know and my son or I will come up.