OUT-OF-TOWN PLACES 



Another matter worthy of full consideration 

 is the fact that the cost of a stone house in- 

 creases rapidly with its height ; the first twelve 

 feet may be easily manageable, but the next 

 twelve involve portentous array of scalffolding, 

 and the lifting of large masses of material : 

 economy would thus seem to dictate, where 

 stone is employed, low walls and a large area. 

 Would our country houses lose in picturesque- 

 ness or in comfort by such a readjustment of 

 proportions ? 



FORM AND COLOR 



This leads me to speak of form. The man 

 who goes up two flights of stairs every night 

 in the country to his bed, does a very prepos- 

 terous thing. 



If not two, why go up one? A large com- 

 pensation of country life lies in the possession 

 of space: no brick wall flanks your rear; no 

 neighbor's area lies under your dining-room 

 window ; ample stretch of ground for all archi- 

 tectural fancies surrounds and invites you. 

 Why not improve it? Does character lie in 

 tallness? The old Romans— those luxurious 

 comfort-seekers— understood the charm that 



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