Theory and Practice 147 



in the beds or pots is often more powerful than the 

 fragrance of the plants; therefore the conservatory should 

 always be separated from the house by a lobby or small 

 anteroom. But the greatest objection arises from its 

 want of conformity to the neighbouring mansion, since 

 it is difficult to make the glass roof of a conservatory 

 architectural, whether Grecian or Gothic. An arcade is 

 ill adapted to the purpose, because, by the form of an 

 arch, the light is excluded at the top, where it is most 

 essential in a greenhouse; for this reason the flat Gothic 

 arch of Henry the Eighth is less objectionable, yet in 

 such buildings we must suppose the roof to have been 

 taken away to make room for glass; of this kind is the 

 conservatory in front of Rendlesham House. 



In the adaptation of ancient forms to modern uses and 

 inventions, we are often under the necessity of deviating 

 from the rules of true Gothic. Under such circum- 

 stances it is perhaps better to apply old expedients to 

 new uses than to invent a new and absurd style of Gothic 

 or Grecian architecture. At Plas-Newyd, where the 

 house partakes of a Gothic character, I suggested the 

 addition of a greenhouse, terminating a magnificent 

 enfilade through alonglineof principal apartments. The 

 hint for this model is taken from the chapter-rooms to 

 some of our cathedrals, where an octagon roof is sup- 

 ported by a slender pillar in the middle, and if this were 

 made of cast-iron, supporting the ribs of a roof of the same 

 material, there would be no great impropriety in filling 

 the interstices with glass, while the side window-frames 

 might be removed entirely in summer, makinga beautiful 

 pavilion at that season, when, the plants being removed, 

 a greenhouse is generally a deserted and unsightly object. 



