Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/822

 798 COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA ARCHITECTURE. let us proceed across the saloon to the library. This, in form and proportions, I will suppose exactly similar to the drawing-room, having the same sort of bay window at the end opposite the door, from which is a home view over the pleasure-grounds to the rising woods behind them. The two windows opposite the fireplace would look upon the flower-garden and the church tower rising from the trees in the park. The library, though it ought to be a handsome room, should present a great contrast to the light elegance of the drawing-room. The furniture should be substantia], the hangings of a warm but dark colour. In the present instance we will choose claret or maroon colour. Tliat part of the wall not covered by bookcases might be painted to imitate old oak wainscoting of a handsome pattern, or it might be formed into panels, filled with plain flock paper edged with a narrow beading of gold, the framework dark oak ; or it might be papered with plain flock paper in the usual manner, with gilt mouldings. The colour of the paper maroon. The ceiling and cornice after some rich old pattern, with pendent ornaments to support the lamps. It should be of a heavier description than that in the drawing-room, with more numerous coats of arms blazoned in their proper coloiu-s. I should paint and pick out the ceiling with some light warm colour. The chimney-piece should be handsome, but it might be lower and heavier than in the drawing-room, and might be made of the best sorts of stone, or of British marble; for instance, Purbeck marble is a handsome material for chimney-pieces. It might contain a low arched fire- place with a rich cornice above, supported at the sides by small pillars or pilasters. In the fireplace I should have a large low grate, with a rich back-plate, on which should be a classical subject in relief, say the Destruction of Troy. The grate, or dogs for a wood fire, of dead steel, the fender of the same. The vacant walls of the side in which is the fireplace, and that of the two ends, would be covered with oak bookcases, two thirds of their height. The lower part of the cases should be enclosed by doors of brass wire, in which might be kept the more curious and valuable books, prints, drawings, &c., the shelves above being open. In the piers that divide the cases might be closets for rolls of maps, &c. On the cornice above the cases might be a series of busts of philosophers and eminent scholars ; and on the wall seen above the book shelves, scripture subjects, and portraits of distinguished authors, statesmen, &c. A full-length portrait of some celebrated person, or member of the family, might be hung over the fireplace ; and in the pier between the windows opposite would be a place for maps on spring rollers fixed to the wall. Below them might be a dark marble slab on a carved frame, and under the slab a sort of frame for large folio books of maps, engravings, &c. The slab might have upon it small bronze statues and things of that kind. The curtains should be of maroon- coloured merino,, damask, lined with glazed stuff (this sort of damask has a poor effect without a lining as it is commonly used), and trimmed with silk fringe, &c., all of the same colour. The cornices might be maroon colour and gold. I would have inner curtains of plain muslin, edged with maroon silk fringe. There should be a large Turkey carpet, or an Axminster carpet, with a maroon-coloured ground, showing round it the polished oak floor, and a hearth rug to match. The library should contain an abundance of various sorts of seats and tables, made of some dark wood, the more carved the better. There should be two or three large easy chairs, with movable desks and candlesticks, some smaller arm and other cushioned chairs, and a few light chairs with gilt cane seats. The patterns of the chairs should be old-fashioned ; and some real old high-backed chairs might be introduced with very good effect. There should also be a sofa or two, and some stools and settees ; the cushions of the chairs, sofas, &c., being covered with maroon-coloured leather, with silk tufts and gymp edgings. As the library would l)e the common family sitting-room, a round table would be necessary, for tea, &c. There should be also one or two regular library tables, with drawers, and maroon leather tops. One might be placed across the room at the end near the bow, with a settee before it ; the other would stand near the window at the right hand, as you enter the room ; the round table being in the centre near the fire. Besides these, there should be smaller tables of various sizes, some forming reading-desks for large and small books ; others on pillars and claws, to be placed about the room. A pair of globes on a stand might occupy one corner; the library steps, shutting into a strong table, woidd stand in another. One or two old embroidered screens, in carved frames, and a few others, and some foot- stools, might be placed near the fire. The bay window might be fitted up as a recess for reading in, with a small reading-desk or table, and settees. I think I have noticed all the furniture of a library, except the lamps, which I would have of bronze, as most in keeping with the sober character of the apartment. As to the smaller ornaments to be placed about the room, they should be curious and interesting, and on no account frivolous. Handsome silver inkstands, a few curious fossils, or models of celeljrated buildings; all sorts of writing-cases and implements, taper stands of silver, boxes of coins, old china in large jars, and any thing of these kinds, with handsome books, might decorate the tables : and, as nothing gives a room a more dismal effect than an appear-