154 



ON COUNTRY HOUSES. 



population arc in the main dignified and free, 

 vet plain and simple. Their means will 

 neither allow them, nor their tastes lead 

 them, to build or keep up any but simple 

 and fitting houses and grounds. Hence we 

 conceive all rural buildings which, in the 

 end will prove most significant, tasteful and 

 asfreeable for them, must be simple in cha- 

 racter, and unambitious in style. Such 

 houses Avill always be found satisfactory, 

 and the neat and quiet grounds, which they 

 demand as accessories, are within the reach 

 of almost every landholder in America. 



A few days since, we w^ere looking over 

 the portfolios of some of our leading archi- 

 tects in New-York, admiring the cottages 

 and villas which they showed us as in pro- 

 gress, or as having been designed for various 

 parts of the country. In examining the rich- 

 ly stored portfolio of Mr. Davis (whose well 

 known atelier is in the Merchant's Ex- 

 change,) our attention was attracted by one, 

 a Design for a simple CourUry House, which 

 appears to us in a good degree to answer our 

 views, as expressed in this and our last 

 leading article. Mr. Davis has kindly per- 

 mitted us to place this design in the hands 

 of our engraver, and our readers will observe 

 it as our present frontispiece embellishment. 



There is nothing in this elevation, fig. 42, 

 which could be objected to as out of keeping 

 with rural life in most parts of our country. 

 There are no useless and unmeaning orna- 

 ments, and there is no attempt at high or 

 false architectural style. Yet there is much 

 comfort, and as much beauty, we think, as 

 the subject demands. In other words, it 

 answers the description of our friend Avilh 

 whose remarks we commenced this article — 

 " a plain and tasteful country house." 



Our readers will notice, in the first place, 

 that it has an ample veranda (or piazza, if 

 our readers like this incorrect term better.) 

 A veranda, as frequently built, with fluted 



columns, &c., is a costly affair. But this is 

 not so. It is positively cheap. The sup- 

 ports are simple, light sticks of timber hewn 

 octagonally or eight sided, leaving a few 

 inches at the top and bottom square, for base 

 and capital. The roof of this veranda is 

 made of nicely jointed stuff, nailed upon 

 the joist rafters, which are beaded and left 

 exposed, so that no other ceiling is required. 

 On the top it is covered with shingles or 

 tin. And yet this veranda is to our eyes, 

 in I'oint of taste, most agreeable and appro- 

 priate. As a matter of comfort, in this 

 climate, such a veranda — so spacious, am- 

 ple and shady — is equal in value to any 

 two of the best apartments in the house. 



The second story of this dwelling gives 

 seven cool and pleasant bed-rooms of full 

 height. The roof has a bold and pleasing 

 projection, which will help to keep the upper 

 windows shaded in summer. There is scarce- 

 ly an ornament here which does not grow 

 out of the strictest propriety ; and yet, for that 

 best of reasons, the beauty of this building, 

 as a simple country bonse, is far more sig- 

 nificant and true than that of most of the 

 imitations of the highly ornate styles of 

 cottage. 



The plan of the principal floor of this 

 house, fig. 43, almost explains itself. The 

 parlor and library are on opposite sides of 

 the entry or vestibule, opening into it with 

 either double or sliding doors, so that the 

 whole may, when agreeable, be thrown 

 into one apartment. Some persons would, 

 doubtless, prefer to change the arrangement 

 of this floor, by turning the parlor into a 

 bed-room, and using the library as a parlor. 



There is a peculiarity in the arrangement 

 of the dining-room which is worthy of no- 

 tice. A recess is indicated in the plan, 

 where a sideboard is to stand in the dinmg 

 room. This sideboard is to contain, in one 

 of its portions, a wicket, i. e. a closei opening 



