RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 327 



:>f purpose in a dwelling intended for the habitation of man, 

 <vo i hink, can be at no great loss to understand what would 

 be r-haracteristic in out-buildings or offices, farm-houses, 

 lodges, stables, and the like, which are necessary structures 

 on a villa or mansion residence of much size or importance. 

 A proper regard to the expression of use or purpose, without 

 interfering with the beauty of style, will confer at all times 

 another, viz. the beauty of truth, without which no building 

 can be completely satisfactory ; as deceptions of this kind 

 (buildings appearing to be what they are not) always go 

 far towards destroying in the mind those pleasurable emo- 

 tions felt on viewing any correct work of art, however 

 simple in character or design. 



We have now to consider rural architecture under the 

 guidance of the third leading principle, as an art of taste. 

 The expression of architectural style in buildings is un- 

 doubtedly a matter of the first importance, and proper care 

 being taken not to violate fitness and expression of purpose, 

 it may be considered as appealing most powerfully, at once, 

 to the mind of almost every person. Indeed, with many, 

 it is the only species of beauty which they perceive in 

 buildings, and to it both convenience and the expression 

 of purpose are often ignorantly sacrificed. 



A marked style of architecture appears to us to have 

 claims for our admiration or preference for rural residences, 

 for several reasons. As it is intrinsically beautiful in itself, 

 as it interests us by means of the associations connected 

 with it ; as it is fitted to the wants and comforts of country 

 life ; and as it is adapted to, or harmonizes with, the 

 locality or scenery where it is located. 



The harmonious union of buildings and scenery, is a 

 point of taste that appears to be but little understood in 



