9^ Report S.A.A. Advancement of Science. 



of the numerous fine cracks, which deface the cement work of many 

 of our buildings, than the neglect of the simple precaution of 

 thoroughly air slaking the cement before use. I have referred 

 to the ancient Greek style of domestic architecture, with its 

 porch leading into the atrium, and thence to the peristyle or 

 more private part of the dwelling. There appear, however, to 

 be but few traces left of it. It is said to have practically perished. 

 In Pompeii, I had lately the pleasure of examining some of the old 

 Greco-Roman houses, and could not help being struck with the 

 delightful repose of the inner court referred to, and its suitability to 

 a climate like ours ; privacy, coolness and shade being so happily 

 combined. The forms of Greek domestic architecture are, of course, 

 of a character widely differing from their religious type, arid that 

 they may be adapted with success to our own purposes was very 

 happily proved in a work by the late Mr. Thomson, of Glasgow, 

 unfortunately not now obtainable, which contained some admirable 

 and highly artistic adaptations of this style for domestic pur- 

 poses. That it did not meet with great public favour in a climate 

 like that of Scotland is not much to be wondered at, but that it 

 would be found very suitable and charming in effeci" in this climate, 

 I am convinced. On the Italian villa, I might enlarge. Pugin 

 says : "I will maintain and prove that climate has always had a 

 larger share in the formation of domestic architecture, and the 

 Italian is a good illustration of the truth of this remark. The 

 apertures are small, long colonnades for shade, the whole calculated 

 for retreat and protection from heat ; the roofs are flat in pitch, 

 from the absence of heavy snow, and plan and outline are both 

 suited to the climate to which the architecture belongs." 



I now close this paper, in which, instead of dealing with mere 

 technical details of construction, I have endeavoured to lay before 

 you a few thoughts on the broader aspects of the subject of building 

 our colonial homes. I have done this with a due sense of humility in 

 approaching a subject of so far-reaching an influence as regards colonial 

 life and character, and one so full of difficulty and so open to quite 

 legitimate differences of opinion, and I can only hope that the views 

 I have expressed may be of some interest to you and instrumental 

 in giving some indication to the building public of certain lines of 

 thought, which it would be well to follow, previous to the erection 

 of so all-important a building as a home for themselves and their 

 children. 



