series of Designs for Rustic Cottages, .^-c. 415 



familiar acquaintance with architecture. The acJvantages of an in- 

 geniously arranged and nicely adapted plan, over one carelessly and 

 ill contrived, are so obvious to the reason of every one, that ihey are 

 self-evident. This is the groundwork of domestic architecture, re- 

 eoiTuized as all-important by all mankind, and some ingenuity and fa- 

 miliarity with practical details are only necessary to give us compact, 

 convenient and comfortable houses, with the same means and in the 

 same space as the most awkward and unpleasing forms. 



But I am still more anxious to inspire in the minds of my readers 

 and countrymen, more lively perceptiousof the Beautiful, in every 

 thing that relates to our houses and grounds. I wish to awaken a 

 quicker sense of the grace, the elegance, or the picturesqueness of 

 fine forms that are capable of being produced in them by Rural Ar- 

 chitecture and Lanilscape Gardening — a sense which will not only re- 

 fine and elevate the mind, but pour into it new and infinite sources of 

 delight. There are perhaps a few, upon whose souls nearly all ema- 

 nations of beauty fall impressiveless, but there are also many who 

 see the Beautiful in nature and art only feebly and dimly, either from 

 the want of proper media, through which to view her, or a little di- 

 rection as to where she is to be found. How tnany, too, are there 

 who even discover the Beautiful in a picture or a statue, who yet fail 

 to admire her rounding with lines of grace, and touching with shades 

 of harmony all common nature, and pervading silently all material 

 forms. "Men," says Goethe, "are so inclined to content themselves 

 with what is commonest: so easily do the spirit and the sense grow 

 dead to the impression of the Beautiful and the Perfect, that every 

 person should strive to nourish in his mind the faculty of feeling 

 these things by every th'm<j; m his power; for no man can bear to be 

 Avholly deprived of such enjoyment. It is only because they are not 

 used to taste of what is excellent, that the generality of the people 

 take delight in silly and insipid things, provided they be new. For 

 this reason every day one ought to see a fine picture, read a good 

 poem, hear a little song, and, if it were possible, to speak a few rea- 

 sonable words." 



Coining to the task with such feehngs, with a mind imbued 

 with the subject, and prompted more with a view to introduce 

 correct principles of taste, rather than the simple purpose of 

 making a book, Mr. Downing has presented us with a vol- 

 ume which will tend much to induce those who are buildins:, 

 or ever intend to build, a villa or cottage residence, to reflect 

 and think, before they decide upon the style and the arrange- 

 ments of a building which is to constitute their home: for in 

 proportion as that home is graceful, pleasing, and convenient, 

 so will its possessor become more and more attached to it, 

 and derive more intense satisfaction from the beauty and util- 

 ity which prevails in every part. 



It is only by placing before the public correct specimens of 

 architectural taste, that improvement can be effected. Almost 



