Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/807

 PRINCIPLES FOR DESIGNING VILLAS. 783 colonnade to cast a shadow of such depth as to darken the rooms before wliose windows the columns project. (Lib. of the Fine Arts, vol. i. p. 188.) To arrive at a just con- clusion on this subject, it seems to be only necessary to determine the principle on which exotic Architecture is introduced at all. Now, we conceive, it will not be contended that it is introduced because its interior arrangements are better adapted to our wants tlian those of our indigenous Architecture. It must, therefore, be introduced on account of the beauty of the style ; and, as porticoes and colonnades are essential to tliis style, it is evident that, for this reason, independently of all other considerations, they cannot be dispensed with. In our opinion, it is quite a sufficient argument for the introduction of every component part of this sort in a villa, that it adds to the beauty of the genera] effect, and is not inconsistent with convenience and enjoyment. After a certain point has been passed on the road from necessities to superfluities, beauty is use. 1066. On the Subject of Chimney-tops we have enlarged at some length in Book I. They are essential features tO human dwellings of every description j more especially in climates where they must be used for heating as well as cooking. ]Many consider that the chimney-tops ought not to be shown in Grecian Architecture ; but they can assign no reason for this, except that they are not seen in Grecian temples. We know nothing of the Grecian villas, and very little of those of the Romans ; but, if we were even perfectly certain that, in the villas of Pliny and other men of taste of his time, the chimney-tops were concealed, we should say that the taste which dictated their conceal- ment was bad. Our opinion is, that the chimney-tops ought to be as conspicuous in a dwelling in the Grecian style as in any other ; and that the British Architect, so far from having to regret the necessity of introducing chimney-tops into his dwellings, ought to hail that necessity as one cause why the British villa might excel every other in the world, and in many examples does excel them. How much do the Italian villas not owe to their chimney-tops, their campaniles, their balconies, and their open watch-towers ! 1667. The two grand Defects of the Villa Architecture of Britain are, want of union with the ground and the surrounding scenery, and want of skill in the manage- ment of the chimney-tops. Our main object, in this chapter, has been, to draw the attention of the young Architect to these two points ; believing them to be by far the most important for producing the kind of effect and beauty required in a villa. Perhaps the next point is the disposal of the principal apartments in such a manner as that they may command the best views which the situation affords. When this is done, it will generally produce an irregular ground plan, extending over a considerable sur- face ; and this is always highly favourable to the character required in a villa. Villa Architecture ought, in our opinion, to form a distinct part of the profession of an Archi- tect ; and with this branch ought to be united the profession of a landscape-gardener. This union was long ago recommended by Kniglit, Uvedale Price, Hope, IVIeason, and other writers ; and we believe its necessity is felt by some of the first Architects of the present day. Our opinion, decidedly, is, that no great improvement can take place till the professions are united ; and, with a view to this end, we shall subjoin another para- graph to this already too long section, to suggest a mode of study for acquiring both professions. 1668. As Graphic Illustrations of the Principles which we have endeavoured to lav down in the preceding paragraphs, we shall refer to the villa of the late Thomas Hope, Esq., at Deepdene, Surrey, and to the architectural gardens formed by tlie late Earl of Shrewsbury, at Alton Towers, in Staffordshire. The first is one of the finest examples