Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/32

 COTTAGE DWELLINGS IN VARIOUS STYLES. BOOK I. DESIGNS FOR LABOURERS AND MECHANICS* COTTAGES, AND FOR DWELLINGS FOR GARDENERS AND BAILIFFS, AND OTHER UPPER SERVANTS, AND FOR SMALL FARMERS AND CULTIVATORS OF THEIR OWN LAND. 13. The Designs of this Book are calculated for what, in countries having a privileged aristocracy, are called the lower and middling classes of society; but which, in self-governed democracies, like North America, or in newly-colonized countries, like Australia, constitute nearly the whole rural population. We have arranged these Designs in two chapters : the first contains three Designs of what may be called Model Cottages, as each combines all the accommodations and arrangements for comfort and convenience of which buildings of the lowest class are susceptible. Each of these Designs contains the same quantity of accommo- dation, but differently arranged to suit different situations and climates. The second chapter includes a miscellaneous assemblage of Designs, each combining more or less of the comforts and conveniencies of the Model Designs, joined to various kinds of architectural beauty and style. Chap. I. Model Designs for Cottages, exhibiting in each Model all the accommodations a7id arrangements for comfort and convenience of which the smallest dwellings of this class are susceptible. 14. The Accommodations and Arrangements of these Designs are presented as the beau ideal of what we think every married couple, having children of both sexes, and living in the country, should possess; while, at the same time, we have included in them all that is essentially requisite for health, comfort, and convenience, to even the most luxurious of mankind. In such dwellings every labourer ought to live, and any nobleman might live. All that in any dwelling exceeds the accommodation .ind arrangements here given, must either be required for a larger family and extended hospitality, or for the display of either superfluous wealth or highly refined taste. The necessaries, and even comforts of life, are contained in a small compass, and are within the reach of a far greater portion of mankind than is generally imagined. But one room can be used at a time, by either the poor man who has no other, or the rich man who has several; and that room can only be rendered comfortable by being warm, dry, light, well ventilated, and convenient: qualities which depend not so much upon the materials used in its construction, as on the manner of applying them. All that is wanting is knowledge ; first, of what is necessary and desirable ; and, secondly, of the means of obtaining it at a small expense. To communicate this knowledge is the main purpose of the present Book; but more especially of the Designs contained in this chapter. 15. In the composition of these Designs, we have, in every case, adopted the following arrangements : — First, We have placed every dwelling-house, or the floor containing its living- rooms, upon an elevated platform, with a view of keeping it drier, and consequently, warmer and healthier; as well as to procure greater dignity of effect, as an object in landscape, and as a station for the eye to survey the surrounding scenery. Secondly, We have placed the chimnies in the interior walls, rather than in the exterior ones ; because when the chinmies are so placed, a greater portion of heat is retained within the house ; and because, from the greater degree of heat contained in the mass of masonry through which the flues are carried up, the smoke always ascends faster, or, in common language, the flues draw better. Thirdly, We have, in every Design, kept in view the practicability of the most economical application of fuel ; of the collecting, filtering, and preserving the water which falls on the roofs ; and of the collecting and economizing the liquid and other manure pro- duced in or about the cottage. We have shown the various details for effecting these objects in plans, sections, and perspective elevations, with copious descriptions and various graphic illustrations ; and we wish the Architect to keep them continually in view in judging of the Designs in Chapter II., and to imagine them applied, more or less, to each Design given in that chapter, as circumstances may admit or require. We have before published these Model Designs of Cottages in our tract entitled, J Manual of Cottage Husbandry, Gardening, and Architecture ; but we consider the details which they exhibit as of so much importance, and all the Designs which are to follow in this work as depending so entirely upon many of