Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/200

 17(i COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA AUCIIITECTUIIE. They are generally covered with a grey slate, and the walls are in regular courses of tooled stone. As the inner part of these walls is generally built of rubble, they cannot be considered strong ; unless, indeed, a mortar were used capable of becoming as hard as the stone itself, or at least as Roman cement. To add to the strength of such walls, what are called string courses are introduced in them ; one of which may be observed in the elevation of this Design, as a horizontal band between the ground floor and bed-room windows. This band, horizontal chain, or string course, is supposed to be formed of stones of a sufficient width to cover the whole wall, and by that means to tie it together; and this, if the rubble part of the wall has been properly built, it will efiectually do. If, on the other hand, the rubble stones have been small, and have not had true bearings, (that is, flat surfaces resting horizontally on each other), these string courses will add very little to the strength of the wall. When the reader comes to that part of our work which treats upon tlie principles of construction, he will find, what will probably surprise him, that the strongest, as well as the most durable, of all walls for dwelling-houses, are those of well burnt brick, covered with Roman cement without and plaster within. Even without these coverings, brick walls are stronger and more durable than stone walls, as the latter are generally built. There can be no doubt that stone walls might be, and sometimes are, so constructed for dwelling-houses, as to be stronger than common brick ; but the expense, except under very pecuUar circumstances, is too great for general use. .345. General Estimate. Cubic contents, '24,548 feet, at 6d. per foot, £6V3 : i-ls. ; at Ad., i;409 : 2s. : M. ; and at M., i.306 : 17s. 346. Remarks. The rooms in this Design are of a convenient size, and the dwelling may be considered as suitable for a gardener or other upper servant. For effect, we should have preferred three lights in each of the bays of the kitchen and parlour, and no windows on the other side of these rooms. We say, that, for effect, we should have done this ; but, for convenience and use, it is better that the light should enter on two sides, because two parties may then work at two dilferent windows. Respecting the situation of this building, its contributor observes that it "should be placed on rather an elevated spot, thickly covered with wood. When the outline of a building is so con- structed that the various projections throw a mass of shade upon the receding part.s, then the object itself forms an independent picture ; but in buildings of a plain unbroken out- line, such as this cottage, some assistance is wanted to produce the picturesque ; and trees will be found efficient auxiliaries in accomplishing this effect." Design XL IX. — A Dwelling suitable for a Lodge or Toll-house, having Three Rooms, and other Conveniences. 347. Accommodation. The ground floor consists of an outer kitchen, which serves also as an entrance-lobby, a ; large kitchen, or living-room, b ; light bed-closet heated from the back of the kitchen fire, c ; pantry, d ; closet for fuel, e ; cellar for roots, J"; privy, g ; dusthole, h ; stair to the bed-room floor, i ; and open shed, k. The chamber story contains two bed-rooms, I m, and the landing of the staircase, n. 34S. Construction. The walls be may of brick, and the roof covered with tiles or slate. The cornice of the principal part of the building may contain a gutter cut in the stone, similar to that shown in the section fig. 40, § 74, if that material should be abimdant ; otherwise, the cornice and gutter may be of wood, as shown in the section fig. 63, § 84. 349. General Estimate. Cubic contents, 11,3 15 feet, at Gd. per foot, £"282 : 17s. ; at 4rf., £'188 :11s.: lOrf. ; and at M., £141 : 8s. : 9d. 350. Remarks. The expression of this dwelling seems to aim at something more than a simple humble cottage, because it may be said to have a centre and two wings, like a cottage villa, or like what in Scotland is called a minister's house ; yet there is no attempt at architectural style, either in the general forms or the ornaments. We leave our readers to contrive different modes of altering or adding to it, so as to make it more attractive without, and more convenient within. Design L. — A Cottage Dwelling of Four Rooms, with other Conveniences. 351. Accommodation. On the ground-floor there is an entrance and staircase, a ; parlour, b ; bed-room, c ; closet under the stairs, d ; pantry, e ; light bed-closet,y; and kitchen, g. The wash-house, privy, and other conveniences, are supposed to be in a separate building. The chamber floor contains a bed-room, vt, and two closets, i and k. 352. Construction. All cottages having no cellar floor may h.ave the walls built of rammed earth, on a brick or stone foundation ; tliougii we would never recommend earth where brick or stone can be afforded. The roof is shown v.itli a consi'ierable projection at the eaves, and it is covered with Grecian tiles.