ADVICE FOR LACKLAND 



if you like, with some tasteful upholstery ; but 

 not so far as to forbid a broad flow of the 

 warm light from the bow window of the li- 

 brary; while upon the mantels of even height, 

 you may place a Wardian case that shall show 

 its delicate plumes of fern between your table 

 and the southern sunlight all winter long. It 

 would moreover be quite possible, owing to 

 the breadth of partition wall afforded by the 

 two flues, to arrange folding shutters for the 

 complete closing of the arch-way whenever 

 desired. For my own part, I love such little 

 novelties of arrangement, which mark a man's 

 house as his own, however much they may 

 put the carpenters to the gape. 



"As for the additional chamber-room, never 

 think of putting a third story upon so narrow- 

 throated a house, or you will give it an irre- 

 deemable gawkiness. If the space is needed, 

 find it by throwing a more generous roof over 

 all (raising the plates if need be), and light- 

 ing your cock-lofts with dormer windows. 

 Then paint with discretion; avoid white, and 

 all shades of lilac — the most abominable color 

 that was ever put upon a house — you can't 

 match the flowers, and don't try, I beg. A 

 mellow brown or a cool gray are the best for 

 the principal surfaces. Let there be no forced 



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