Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/205

 COTTAGE DWELLINGS IN VARIOUS STYLES. 181 description is given of the garden, as it may be laid out and cultivated in the same manner as any of the gardens already described; as, for example, that of Design XIX. § 170. Desio-n LII Ideas for altering the Front of an old Cottage, at present in a dilapidated ° State. 359. Present State, fi is an unsightly cot- tage, standing at the extremity of a village, and close to the gates of a venerable man- sion built in the reign of James I., and much admired both for its antiquity, and the elegant comfort of its interior. He says : — "As I have the pleasure of being occasionally useful to my friend in some of his plans for improve- 317. The contributor of this Design observes that fig. 317 ments, he consulted me as to the way in which he might give the cottage a more agree- able appearance; and Isuggested the alteration shown in fig. 318, which may serve as an example in what manner a cottage, with the inside sufficiently comfortable, may be altered, so as to change an ugly outside, at little trouble and expense, to one that is picturesque and pleasing. The house is convenient enough within, and has some very comfortable rooms ; but as there is nothing in all this very remarkable, I will not trouble you with the ground plan." 360. Improved State, fig. 318. "The object in the above alteration is, to break the straight horizontal lines, and thus improve the appearance of a very ugly roof. This is done by introducing a pediment, or gable, with barge boards over the centre window, and by bringing the roof lower down at the eaves, so that the upper windows may be let into it. The carcass of the house being a wooden frame filled in with clay Hog- ging and plaster, the wall of the additional gable is constructed in a similar manner. By way of giving consequence to this dwelling, the style of the entrance door is im- proved, and a common vsdndow changed into a bay one." 361. Remarks. The alterations are, no doubt, improvements; but there does not appear a sufficient reason, on the principle of utility or accommodation, for the intro- duction of the pediment or gable. If the window under it had been carried up half way into it, this sufficient reason would have been given at once ; and no one, we think, can deny, that even the appearance would have been improved. Architecture is a reasoning art ; that is, it is an art in which nothing should be introduced for which there is not a reason either real or apparent. A real reason is best ; but, when we have not that, we should at least have its substitute. There is no reason in fig. 318, for the pedi- ment, except that given by the author of the Design, which we hold in this case to be insufficient.