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PLATE XI. 



Stable Offices erected at Grafton Hall, ChesJiire. 



THIS building was erected from designs by the autlior in the 

 county of Cheshire. The form of plan decided on is C-shaped, 

 with a fore-court similar to Plate IV. The centre portion is occupied 

 by stall-stable and loose -boxes, and affords accommodation for six 

 horses. Coach-house, harness-room, mess-room, &c., are found on 

 the ground-floor of the side-wings, and coachman's residence, valets' 

 rooms, and straw-loft over. The entrance to the stables is through 

 the archway and cleaning-place, and is marked by a gable, with an 

 oak ventilator overhead. The walls are built of Ruabon red bricks, 

 and the roof covered with Staffordshire blue tiling, which makes a very 

 pleasing combination. The dressings to doors and windows, &c., are 

 of a reddish sandstone. All the floors are fire-proof, and the whole is 

 built in a most substantial manner. The external treatment of the 

 design was made to accord with the old house, the stables being placed 

 at the east end, and contiguous to it. Quaint stone finials, and large 

 chimney projections with angular shafts, harmonise with the sur- 

 roundings. It was necessary, as the courtyard was near to, and 

 visible from the house, to make the fore-court walls a convenient 

 height, and at the same time give it some architectural character, in 

 order to lighten the otherwise depressing effect of a blank wall. 



There is also incorporated in this building, under the same roof, 

 approached from the rear, a cart-horse stable and cow-house and shed. 



This stable plan has answered admirably the purpose for which it 

 was designed. 



