Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/901

 VILLAS IN VARIOUS STYLES. 87' see round columns joined either to panels of glass or wood, or to flat walls. Had piers and arches, or square columns been employed, of course the glazed panels would have been joined to them, which would have been equally proper ; because the junction is equally consistent with strength, and more so with fitness, than if the glass case had been an independent structure ; for its junction with the right-angled supports offers a sufficient reason for their being so. Whether round or square columns were employed in front of the conser-atorj', we should in either case have omitted altogether the pro- jection above, supported by four Corintliian columns, which gives the edifice the expres- sion of a public building, and which we consider as quite uncalled for in a private house, even if the whole of this double villa were but one dwelling. We are quite aware that the introduction of columns and projections in this manner is justified by the practice of many who bear great names among modern Architects ; but we have no more doubt of its being essentially in bad taste, than we should have of the bad taste of a labourer, who arrayed himself in his holiday clothes to do his every-day work. In short, this projection is a mere excrescence ; a kind of mimicry of a part of Roman Architecture rather than an adaptation of it ; and, in point of fitness, it is rather injurious than useful, because it shades the windows under it. Were it entirely removed, and a part of the roof, and the chimney-stacks shown, the effect of the edifice would be highly respectable as a dwelling-house ; as it is, the expression is something between that of a dwelling- house and that of a public building. Design XIII. — A sinall Grecian Villa or Casino, to be placed on an Eminence, com- manding extensive Prospects in two Directions only. IS 10. The Situation is supposed to be elevated, and the approach to be a straight avenue, bordered by an irregular phalanx of evergreen trees and shrubs, so as to be impenetrable to the eye on both sides, as shown in the general plan, fig. 1543, in which a is the avenue, and b b the direction of the two principal views ; c, walks round to the kitchen court and back entrance ; d, a wire fence enclosing the lawn ; e, groups of low shrubs and flowers ; and /, scattered groups of trees. On approaching the house, the view within 300 yards will be as in fig. 1544, and the stranger will enter without any expectation of enjoying a prospect from the rooms ; but whether he is ushered into the dining-room or drawingroom, he will be agreeably surprised to find that he has been n iLstaken