RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 305 



think, can be at no great loss to understand what would 

 be characteristic 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 beauty of style, will confer at all times an- 

 other, 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 emotions 

 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 undoubt- 

 edly a matter of the first importance, and proper care being 

 taken not to violate j^/ne55, 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 Egyptian, one of the oldest architectural styles, char- 

 acterized by its heavy colossal forms, and almost sublime ex- 

 pression, is supposed to have had its origin in caverns hewn 



39 



