Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/922

 898 COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA ARCHITECTURE. insulated in the upper part of their shafts, to the wall bounding the open space bej'ond, and from which the vestibule itself would have been lighted from above. Thus, much effect of light and of perspective would have been obtained, together with a novelty of character seldom, if ever, aimed at in such parts of a structure ; all our porticoes, however they may differ in other respects, being nothing more than a single row of columns before a wall. (See an Essay on Porticoes, in the Library of the Fine Arts, vol. i. ) Although this description may appear quite irrelevant to my present subject, I trust that, on con- sideration, it will not be deemed so ; because it may not be altogether uninteresting — to some, at least, to note, as far as they can do so from what has just been stated, the changes occasioned by adapting a plan exactly the same in dimensions, and in the arrangement of the principal floor, to a style requiring in many respects so opposite a mode of treat- ment. In either instance, my aim has been, to combine architectural effect with as per- fect convenience as possible, and, while faithful to the general character of the style, to impart to the Design a tolerable degree of originality. It is not enough that there be a certain air of architectural propriety ; there must be feeling and flavour likewise. It is far better that there should be a strong relish, though even of a questionable quality, than those insipid decencies which it is hazardous to censure, yet utterly impossible to commend ; tolerably correct, perhaps, yet most intolerably dull. 1834. General Plan. In the annexed sketch, fig. 1585, which is intended rather to 1585^ convey some idea of the relative localities as imagined by myself, than positively to deter- mine the choice of site, it will be seen that the house, a, is ])laccd at a moderate distance from the road, h, which, as there is no direct view from any of the principal apartments on that side, is not at all objectionable. On the west side, fronting the drawingrooms, &c., are parterres and pleasure-grounds, c; and on the o])posite side is a paddock, d, screened from the road by trees and shrubberies. On tliis side, too, is placed the general entrance to the offices, e ; and, in order to obviate, in some degree, the disadvantage of placing the kitchen offices in the basement story, while the conveniences of such a plan are retained, the ground is liere supposed to fall abruptly ; so that, if any descent at all be required, one or two steps leading down to that entrance will be sufficient. Should such a plan be selected for a level site, either an artificial declivity must be formed in the same place, or else a commodious area. On the north side of the house is the kitchen court, f, on the same level with the offices themselves, consequently mucli lower than