Page:An Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture.djvu/937

 VILLAS IN VARIOUS STYLES. 913 there would be no ob'ious communication between that and the library. Supposing, however, that the whole of the alterations just described should be carried into effect, nothing would then be easier than to make folding doors in the centre of the south end of the conservatory, opening into that angle of the second library ; which would certainly afford more direct and convenient access, and a pleasing vista down the con- servatory ; and as it would be rather an impropriety to place a large doorway quite in a corner, and without any thing to balance it, this objection might be removed at once, by making this door, on the library side, to ajipear a continuation qf the book-cases, and one of their compartments. Nor, in adopting this latter entrance, would it be at all necessary to abandon the other, for the passage from the oriel might also be retained ; thereby securing a double effect. The erection of a conservatory in this situation would, besides, be attended with a collateral advantage, which is, that it would enable us to build a laundry and additional offices beneath it towards the kitchen court ; whereby the accom- modation afforded by the present plan would be gi-eatly increased. 1854. Concluding Remarks. When I commenced, it was my intention to make a few remarks relative to the chamber floor, somewhat similar to those on the sitting- rooms ; but the latter have extended to such length, that all I can now allow myself is, to make a few remarks as to how far the house, supposing these last-mentioned improve- ments to have been adopted, would be calculated for effect and display on occasion of a grand entertainment. The first thing that would present itself to the company might be the a[)pearance of a splendid painted window illuminating the vestibule, which piece of decoration would be produced by merely filling the compartments of the screen with small transpai-encies, with lights behind them. The visiters woxdd then enter the drawingrooms, which, brilliantly lighted up, woidd lose none of their effect by the contrast they would offer to the subdued splendour of the vestibule ; and which would be greatly heightened by the mirrors over the opposite chimney-p'eces reflecting the chandeliers into a lengthened vista of tapers. Hence they would turn into the spacious library, where their eye would be caught by the view imaged in the nrdrror door facing them, and next by the oriel window Oluminated from behind. On turning into the second library, the whole length of the conservatory, splendidly lighted, and fitted up as a ball-room, with shrubs and exotics ranged on each side, would present itself through the folding doors. On returning, the company might pass through the passage leading into the oriel, and so regain the library. They would then either re-enter the drawingrooms, or proceed straight forward to the staircase, which would also be lighted up ; and have perhaps transparencies in the arches of the upper corridor. Here, too, a splendid effect, of a different character from the rest, would be obtained ; for, on directing the eye immediately upwards, would be seen, high over head, a brilliant transparent roof; to produce which, nothing more would be necessary than to have lamps in the space between that and the upper skylight. As the lights behind the transparencies in the screen would destroy all effect here, if visible, they must be concealed by a plain wooden partition lined with tin, both to increase the light, and to prevent accident by fire, for the lamps would be affixed to it ; and this partition would in its turn be concealed by draperies nailed up against it. After admiring, or, if not admiring, criticising, the stair- case, the company would enter the vestibule, and turn into the dining-room, and the adjoining one, where the supper tables would be laid out ; and, having conducted the company to what will hardly be considered an anti-climax, the arrangements of the entertainment, we may now take leave of them. — It is by no means my wish to be understood as recommending the present Design as an express pattern. Upon nearly the same scale, the same accommodation might be arranged in numberless ways ; some far more varied and picturesque ; all decidedly different from each other ; and yet each distinguished by some particular merit of its own. The art of laying out houses or other buildings, by which term I would express something more than merely forming a plan, — something analogous to what is understood by 'laying out grounds,' — that is, planning for eff^ect as well as convenience, is one that admits of imlimited di- versity." — W. H. L. [There may be some difference of opinion as to the merit of the Design itself, but every one, we think, will allow that its author has explained and analysed it in a copious manner, pointing out his aim in all he has done, and assigning reasons in support of it. It is, too, no more than justice towards him, to apprize our readers that, even extended as his description is, some parts have been omitted by us, not because they were either uninteresting in themselves, or irrelevant to the subject, but principally because we had no other alternative than to make such retrenchments, or exclude his paper altogether, in consequence of the space it would have occupied. StDl, abridged as it is, it may serve as a model for the explanatory text that should accompany published designs ; and it is probable, that, were Architects to consider what they should say of them, they would frequently bestow more study aild consideration upon the designs themselves.]