19 



The lar^^c stables at Ingestre Hall, which were designed and 

 built under the author's supervision for the Earl of Shrewsbury and 

 Talbot (see Plates XVII., XVIII., and XIX.), show what can be done 

 on a large scale. These stables provide accommodation for between 

 fifty and sixty horses, about half in stalls and the other half in loose- 

 boxes, and are considered to be one of the most complete stables 

 of modern times. These were designed in the Jacobean style, to 

 harmonise with the Hall, which the author restored after the great 

 fire which took place there some seven or eight years ago. 



Of the unexecuted works or designs mentioned in this book, 

 perhaps designs IV. and VII. may be worthy of consideration ; also 

 designs IXa., XV., and XVIa., may be commended to the reader as 

 well-digested plans possessing something more than the ordinary 

 external appearance, together with a thoughtful and well-considered 

 plan. Take for consideration the design, Plate VIL, for eighteen 

 horses. Here the buildings form three sides of a square, the stable- 

 yard being enclosed in front by a handsome balustraded wall with 

 carved stone entrance-piers and ornamental iron gates. The washing- 

 place forms the central feature, with a prominent gable — a clock and 

 quaintly formed bell-turret over it marking the centre of the build- 

 ing. The loose-box stables intended for hunters are arranged on 

 the left of the washing-place, v.'ith the saddle-room and mess-room 

 adjoining, also saddle and harness cleaning- rooms attached thereto. 

 The carriage-horse and hack stable is on the right-hand side of the 

 washing-place, with a sick-horse stable and harness-room adjoining. 

 These departments are arranged in the most convenient order. The 

 animals being first taken to the washing-place, where harness is 

 removed, are cleaned, and afterwards taken to their respective stalls 

 without again crossing the yard. A staircase is placed on each 

 side of the yard, leading to groom's, coachman's, and helpers' 

 rooms, which occupy part of the upper floor. The hay, straw, and 

 corn lofts are over the stables, and a double coach-house on each 

 side — one for the house, the other for visitors' vehicles, &c. — perfects 

 this range of buildings, w^hich may be accepted as a well-considered 

 plan. 



In the design IV., for seven horses, this idea is well conceived for a 

 small establishment where there is no home-farm, and where the cow- 

 houses, work-horse stable, piggery, poultry-house, &c., require to be 

 combined with the stables. These conveniences, forming as it were 



