Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/350

326 a cupboard, k. Under the cushions which form the seat of the sofa, and above the well may be seen the folding frame, which forms the bottom of the bed. Fig. 681 shows

this folding frame opened out, and supported by four portable legs, tapped and screwed into its sides. The bedposts are, in like manner tapped and screwed to into the top rails of what formed the sofa ends; and the tester laths and their side pieces, forming the top, drop on to iron pins inserted into the upper ends of the bedposts. The legs, the posts, use, and when the sofa cover is on, it completely conceals the holes which receive the bedposts, and also the well and the cupboard. Fig. 682, p 237, shows the bed with the mattresses and bolsters laid in their places, and the curtains put up, This is a very mattresses and bolsters laid in their places, and the curtains put up. This is a very desirable description of sofa bed to have in a cottage parlour, or, indeed in any small dwelling either in town or country. The cost, complete, in London, is from £10 to £15. There are also chair beds, which are formed by drawing out a frame from under the chair, so as to triple the length of the seat; on which frame are arranged the cushions which were previously placed against the back and sides of the easy chair The bottom of the chair may be formed into a cupboard to open at the side

652. Beds. of other descriptions may be classed under the following heads: folding or camp beds; stump, press and and half-tester beds, couch, box, and French beds; tent and four-post beadsteads, and children's cribs. In our opinion, those cottagers who can afford to have good furniture are often, disproportionably extravagant in the articles of beds and bedding. In Scotland and France, where the cottager's parlour has frequently a bed in it, luxury in this article may perhaps be excusable; but in England, a wiser economy to have the bed plain, though in all respects, comfortable, and to expend any surplus money, which might have been spared from it, on the furniture of the parlour. However, we make the remark with great deference to the opinion of the cottager's wife, who must be allowed to be the best judge on the subject. expend, nvsundnsn.' "^ ^f P-n, though, in all respects, comfortable, and to cottager s wife, who must be allowed to be the best judge on the subject.