THE WINDOW PROBLEM 215 



who cleans them. We finally compromised on plate glass where 

 there was an extensive view, in several cases fitted with a swinging 

 shutter of colored or clear leaded glass in simple design, serving to 

 soften both light and outline, and answering the purpose of a double 

 window in winter. 



Large paned windows tend to decrease and small to increase 

 the apparent size of a house both within and without and certainly 

 detract greatly from the pleasing inlook of any dwelling, still, 

 picture windows here and there always give good value for their 

 framing cost, whether in view of glorious mountain range, white 

 crested waves dashing 'gainst rock-ribbed coast, or in more peaceful 

 contrast a pastoral scene or a towering, swaying forest. In sombre 

 rooms some windows stretched nearly to ceiling height, where there 

 is more light to the square foot, though this treatment seemed to 

 lower the rooms ; several had smooth edged plate glass wind shields 

 about twenty-four inches high which could be easily lifted, as they 

 slide upward in grooves, in others a framed sheet of glass set on the 

 sill swung inward from the top, and gave still greater ventilation. 



The House That Pays No Tax. 



Monsieur Mansard is said to have circumvented that senseless 

 window tax of France which placed a premium on dark houses by 

 adapting, not inventing, the windowed roof that bears his name, 

 thus helping to supplant imitation painted doors and windows which 

 economy sometimes led the builder to intersperse with the real, cater- 

 ing to that monstrous law which enforced payment for air and sun- 

 light. Our building laws tend in the opposite direction, while it is 

 said Buenos Aires, that ideal city of ideal houses, goes us one better, 

 as he who builds the most artistic house pays no tax. In some coun- 

 tries it is said a new house supplanting an old is untaxed. 



"Woodman, spare that tree," however pathetically rendered, 

 never held back the axe when the alternative was shade instead of 

 health-giving sunlight. Inset in a few windows were restful leaded 

 lights in one a fishing craft, in another a coat of arms, and book- 

 marks in the library. One glance through a half open casement 

 thus decorated inclines to optimism. Windows with large panes were 

 exteriorly draped with climbing vines.* Height was another ques- 

 tion. The majority were so placed as to afford an unobstructed 

 view when seated, while in the kitchen they were set high to avoid 

 overlooking the front door approach, additional light being obtained 

 through a skylight. Both gave rare ventilation. No casements 

 were used on the first floor, sash-hung windows giving greater secur- 

 ity, less draught, and being more easily screened, but when used we 

 hung them to open outward, rabbeting thoroughly, and hanging from 

 the top those more likely to be left open to prevent their being whisked 



;:i We once realistically gilt framed and wire hung a picture window that shamed the 

 artists' most strenuous endeavors. 



