Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/334

 310 COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA ARCHITECTURE. which may be pushed back from the front of the drawer, so as to raise the desk upon tliP edge of the table to the angle required. Underneath this writing-board is a space for papers; and, to the right, another for the inkstand, pens, and wafers. The writing- board, or flap, might be made to rise with a rack and horse, (fig. 610, in which a is the rack, and b the horse) ; but the first plan is far simpler, and answers the same end. Indeed, even the sliding piece might be dispensed with, and the writing- flap adjusted to the proper angle by pulling out or pushing in the drawer. At the opposite end of this table a flap is a shown, which may be put up or let down accordingly as it may be desired to make the table longer or shorter. This is evidently a very convenient table ; because a cottager's wife may have a book to read in lying at one end, writing materials at the other, and her work in the middle. Fig. 611 is a small tea or work table. The top is hinged on a triangular box, which may be useful to hold work in. When not in use, the top is set up on edge, and when brought down, it fastens itself by a common catch fasten- ing. Fig. 612 is a neat vi-ork- table, which may be made by any joiner, out of the common woods of the country, at a very trifling expense, and placed on three of Mallet's iron castors, or even on turned knobs in imi- tation of castors ; either of which, by raising it from the ground, would add much to the lightness and elegance of its appearance. Figs. 613, 614, 615 represent a very useful article, called a camp table, from its going into little bulk, being light, and being used by officers in camps. Fig. 613 shows it opened out to its full extent ; the top being hinged to the two legs, and supported by a portable leg which is fastened into it by a screw and socket, c, in fig. 613, and can be removed at pleasure. When not in use, this leg is fixed to one of the legs of the stand by two pieces of girth webbmg, d d in fig. 615, which are fastened to the leg of the stand. When the stand is opened to its full extent, it stretches out, as a top, three pieces of webbing, which serve as a tray- etand; and a tray is generally made of a proper size to go along with the table. Fig. 615 shows how this camp table may be used as a common table; the hinges projectmg above the rail of the stand in such a manner as to let the top turn round either way. Fig. 614 shows this table shut up ; there are two turn buckles, e, on the legs at f, to keep the top fastened, and to prevent it from swinging about when the table is moved. In families, accustomed to give large dinner parties, these tables are found useful, as forming additions to the sideboard : they are also brought in requisition when parties are given in the open air, or when a meal is taken in any room deficient in tables.