PROGRESS OF DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE 389 



But restraint is ever commendable, and restraint marks most 

 of Adam's work. It is present in the doorway at Harewood 

 House (Fig. 316) and in the two chimney-pieces, one from 

 Belcombe and one from Bedford Square, figured in the illustra- 

 tions 317, 318. In these it will be noticed that overmantels 

 are replaced by designs worked on the wall itself. Their interest 

 depends almost entirely upon grace of composition and skill 

 in execution, and derives nothing from aptness of association 

 with the houses or their occupants. In this respect the orna- 

 ment differs from that of earlier days, when it was usually 

 adapted from the family coat of arms ; but the time had now 

 come when houses were more often built to let to unknown 

 tenants than as homes for particular families. In the drawing- 

 room at Kedleston (Fig. 319) the treatment again strikes a note 

 of simplicity and severity a note which is seldom so well 

 maintained in the disposition of the pictures and the choice 

 of furniture as it is in this case. The ceiling and the great 

 cove beneath it are filled with that flowing and delicate 

 ornament which demands great accuracy of line and equal care 

 in modelling its low relief. 



As time went on this delicate ornament faded away and, 

 except here and there, ceilings became merely large unbroken 

 surfaces, save that with the introduction of gas-pendants there 

 came the tradesman's centre-flower from which they might 

 depend. This and an equally interesting cornice served for 

 years as the principal decoration of most houses ; the plasterer's 

 art seemed to have died out. But for some time past matters 

 have been improving, and, given the requisite money, ceilings can 

 now be devised equal to anything that has been done in the past. 



Indeed English craftsmen have always been able to produce 

 good work when adequately guided. But modern conditions, 

 among which one of the most pressing is the supply of an 

 enormous number of cheap houses, are adverse to the display 

 of that capacity for design and execution which requires some 

 amount of leisure and a great amount of wealth to bring it forth. 



There are indications that after the war a vast number 

 of workmen's dwellings will have to be built, and, moreover, 

 will have to be built cheaply. A survey of the domestic 

 architecture of the last three hundred years is fruitful of 

 suggestions for this undertaking, although it will be one 

 demanding little or no ornament. Such a survey points 



