224 



NEW ENGLAND FARMER. 



Mat 



AN ORNAMENTED COTTAGE. 



In our January number we gave the engraving 

 of a cottage, with its surroundings, but rather as an 

 example of good taste, in its external appearances, 

 because we had no means of showing its internal 

 arrangements, or its cost. We spoke at the time 

 of the influences of our childhood's Home upon the 

 heart and character in after life, and ventured the 

 opinion that they may be greatly affected by The 

 House we live in, while we are young, and the 

 mind easily and rapidly receives impressions. It 

 would be pleasant to continue these thoughts a lit- 

 tle farther, but on glancing at the plan which we 

 now present to the reader, we find that to give a 

 fair understanding of the matter, the accompanying 

 description will occupy all the space we can afford 

 for the present on this topic. 



This house is intended for a large family who 

 have few calls to the city for business, and may be 

 so contrived as to render an occasional winter resi- 

 dence pleasant and agreeable. It would differ from 

 a country home in its more free expression of ar- 

 chitectm-al style, and upon the plan of its apart- 

 ments being rather adapted to pleasure occupancy 

 than to constant family use. 



The beauty of simple form, honestly used, is the 

 highest charm a building can possess ; and the 

 graceful blending of outlines formed by the adapta- 



tion of a somewhat irregularly shaped edifice, to the 

 ground upon which it stands, will result in a pic- 

 turesque object more truly beautiful than whimsi- 

 cal planning and ornament can effect. 



The situation for which this building was con- 

 trived was one of the many bold and beautiful ones 

 overlooking the rich valleys of the Housatonic, in 

 Berkshire County, Massachusetts. The view was 

 of great extent, and had an air of quiet repose, fitly 

 in character with the feelings that would tempt the 

 construction there of a summer abiding spot. 



The plan is arranged thus. In front, a few steps, 

 protected by an overhanging balcony to the window 

 above, lead to the hall door, which opens into a ves- 

 tibule. No. 1, on either side of which are hall clos- 

 ets with sash doors towards the inner hall, and nar- 

 row windows upon the exterior. 



Within this is the inner hall, No. 2, and in it the 

 principal staircase. This hall is ten feet in width, 

 and, exclusive of the entry and closets, twenty-eight 

 feet in length. 



Connecting with it upon one side is a drawing- 

 room, No. 3, -with a projecting window in front, and 

 a double window opening on to the side veranda ; 

 its dimensions, exclusive of bay-window, are twenty- 

 two by sixteen. In the rear of this is the library. 

 No. 4, the same size as the drawing-room, with the 

 exception of the space inclosed by the projecting 

 window. In this room are double windows to the 

 veranda at the end, and one at the side, correspond- 



