Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/88

 64 COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA ARCHITECTURE. jection of the roof is considerable, and it is finished with a gutter, supported by short pieces let into the wall, fig. 101, 1, and by cantilevers, m. The blocks supporting the sill of the kitchen window are of stone, and so is the sill. The mul- lions which divide the window are of wood, and the casements which fit into them are hinged so as to open inwards. The windows of the pantry and back kitchen are sash windows. The principal objectionwhich we have to the construc- tion of this cottage, is the placing the fire- places in the outside walls. For cold climates, this is always with us, a very great objection ; though, as this building is in the Italian style, it may be supposed to be adopted for the south of Europe, the most southern parts of North America, or for Australia. With a view to these countries, our objection falls to the ground ; and in truth, we have raised it chiefly for the, purpose of showing that some objections to buildings of this description, and indeed to all buildings, are relative. Of positive, or absolute objections, which have no relation to either country, climate, or situation, we see none in this Design. It is on a dry foundation, of sufficient strength in construction, and of sufiRcient durability in its materials. It is securely roofed ; the rooms are suflBciently lofty, well lighted, and may be, if the occupant think fit, well ventilated. 140. Situation. This building having no windows behind, is calculated for being placed upon the side of a hill, and viewed from below. If surrounded by a good garden, and with no trees within a hundred yards of it higher than fruit trees, it can hardly fail to have a good effect. In general, trees which stand close to any building, more especially to one of small size, should either be decidedly larger or decidedly smaller than the building itself. The chief reason for this is, that objects of the same size, or apparently so, do not co-operate well in forming a whole ; which always must consist of one principal or prominent part, and of two or more subordinate ones. 141. General Estimate. Cubic contents, 8,206 feet, at M., £205 : 3s. ; at 4^., £136 -.lbs: Ad.; and at 3(f., £102 : Us : 6d. 142. Expression. The style at- 1 02 tempted is evidently Italian; but why a deviation was made in the wings from the Italian Gothic win- dow, to the common English sash window, is not obvious. The fault is not a great one ; because so far from interfering with utility, a su- perior article is introduced instead of an inferior one. But in respect to appearance, these windows cer- tainly diminish the force of the style. Reduced to their proper form, and a parapet added to the terrace, fig. 102, 'his dwelling would produce a very good effect, and might serve for one of those which a recent writer in the Mechanic's Magazine, recommends to be substituted for mile-stones along the public roads of Great Britain. To the cottages so placed, he proposes to attach large gardens ; and those, with the cottage, are to serve as models for neatness and order in their appearance and management to the agricultural labourers in the vicinity. The occupier of the cottage is to sit rent-free, on condition of keeping the sides and fences of one mile of road neat and orderly, and as free from weeds and all obstructions as the approach road in a gentleman's park ; t labour which might occupy him fifty or sixty days in the vear. Mech. Mag. Vol. XVI. p. 410.