A COTTAGE FOR A COUNTRY CLERGYMAN. 



Residences." I have been wishing to procure a home — one however, plain and simple in 

 its character, that might yet have something attractive about it, above the appearance of 

 the unsightly fobrics that are too often classed under the head of houses. And I turned 

 over the pages of your volume in eager hope of finding something that would be adapted 

 to my wants, and that would be so economical in its construction, that it might be made 

 available for the comfort and convenience of a poor country clergyman, in the condition 

 of him who addresses you. There were many of those snug cottages that charmed 

 me, but I could not find in them what I cannot do without — a study. It was only in the 

 more expensive structures, the cost of which places them wholly beyond my hope of pos- 

 session, that the " library" found a place. With the expectation that others will aid me 

 in the erection of a house, from absolute necessity, I wish to restrict myself to the least 

 possible outlay. Yet I have felt that the most modest residence might have something of 

 true beauty in its character, and that there was no need in any structure, of sinning 

 against architectural propriety and law. I dare not think of having a house that shall cost 

 much above ,^1,100 or $1,200, for I can ill afford to pay the rent of one that shall much 

 exceed that cost.'' But is it impossible that for about that sum we may be furnished with 

 the conveniences we need? We have in prospect of possession, a little bit of land, but 

 half an acre, fronting to the south upon the road, which runs east and west. To the west 

 and south-west we shall have a fine prospect, which we wish to enjoy by bringing the 

 rooms mostly occupied upon that side of the house. The rooms we desire upon the first 

 floor are a kitchen, sitting-room, bed-room, study, parlor, and pantries, etc. We wish to 

 place the house upon the east side of the lot, or very near the east side, that the garden 

 may occupy the other portion. From your " Cottage Residences," with my own cogita- 

 tions, I have endeavored to approximate such a plan as we need, — yet find it still defec- 

 tive; and I much desire to know whether it will meet your sincere approval, or if you can 

 aid me in regard to the defective points. Will you have patience with me, while I lay 

 before you a rough sketch of my plan — and tell you what there is to me, unsatisfactory 

 about it. 



[We omit the country clergyman's sketch of plan, which we have varied and improved, 

 though the main features of his sketch are all retained, and his remarks upon it.] 



And now what should be the external finish of such a house, that it may be neat and 

 proper, j'et without any showing pretensionl I have attempted to give you & front elevation 

 with my pen, but it has run wild with me. I will try my pencil, and may succeed better. 



My difficulties are to bring the kitchen nearer the sitting-room, without giving up the 

 bed-room; to get a back stair-way, underneath which may be a way to the cellar; and to 

 obtain a room over the kitchen ; and to know whether the plan of such a house would meet 

 the approval of an architect's eye, externally — or how, most economically, it may be made 

 acceptable to correct taste in its outward appearance. Which of the styles among your 

 " Cottage Residences," would be a proper and economical finish for this? Poor as I am, 

 for I possess not a farthing aside from my salary of ^700 per annum, I dislike to be acces- 

 sory to the erection of a house that shall be an eye-sore to those Avho may rightly judge 

 it. We have few houses here built with any regard to good taste. I appreciate most fully 

 all that you say about the proper construction of houses, and now, when I am struggling 

 to obtain one for my own home, I desire that it may be, however humble, an approxima- 

 tion to what a neat little " parsonage" should be — and that it may be a standing lesson 

 to those who belong to my parish, of the manner in which a pleasant, unpretending home 

 may be constructed — with the hope that it may not be without a certain tendency 

 influence upon their minds, to an increased refinement and moral elevation. 



