Rural Scenery : the Thatched Cottage. 211 



There is something about a thatched cottage which is always in- 

 viting, and reminds us of the comforts of hfe. I disagree with 

 Dr. Johnson, who deems all things of a rustic nature, as the abode 

 and choice of the unrefined ; or, in plain words, expressive of 

 rudeness in every degree. 



I very much doubt if the greatest monarch is more intelligent, 

 oftentimes, than those who dwell beneath a cottage of thatch ; nor 

 are his domestic comforts any more elevated or constant than the 

 cottager, although fame extends his name to a more distant part, 

 where rumor often falsifies his real character. The cottager rarely 

 has any thing to fear on this subject, as his only object is to make 

 home agreeable to himself and its inmates ; and this effect being 

 observable to the passer by, it engraves on his memory the snug 

 appearance of the thatched cottage. 



Snugness is not altogether the only feature displayed in such 

 dwellings, but there is a character of retirement, blended 

 with hospitality. By general observation, it will be seen that the 

 sites of such dwellings are well chosen where the requisite com- 

 forts for domestic purposes are of easy access. Shelter and shade 

 are the first consideration in this case, and are a grand feature, 

 namely, the fine impression given on landscape scenery. The rustic 

 construction of the cot is always pleasing when we can see natural 

 materials in every way made useful, and not too much transposed 

 into something, of which all recollection of its primitive state is lost, to 

 appearance. The thatch, being of straw, reminds us of the utility 

 it has been in another way — when the bearer of grain ; and the 

 rude unhewed post of the porch (on which twines the honeysuckle) 

 of the use of forest trees. The plan of the cot is mostly neat, and 

 generally in the Gothic order, with the upper windows peeping 

 out of the thatch. The approaches and appendages are always 

 corresponding. The rustic arbor well covered with native grape 

 vines that give a natural effect, and impart a luscious reward to 

 the humble pruner. The approach is generally converted into a 

 neat and well kept flower-garden, which gives a healthy employ- 

 ment, or rather recreation, to an aged mother or some rosy cheeked 

 pratthng children, who are often seen strolling from their plot in 

 quest of flowers to decorate the httle parterre, transplanting them 

 whh care to their new habitations among, perhaps, some delicate 

 exotics. 



The vegetable garden, well filled with esculent vegetables and 

 fruit, with a small orchard and meadow, are often appendages to 

 the " thatched cottage." A running stream or brook in its vicinity 

 gives a mellowness to the scene, and some rich verdant spots near 

 the dwelling forms a part, of social effect, but seldom rivalled in 

 landscape scenery. 



Were I to choose a dwelling for retirement, when age wears ofFthat 

 activity and zeal from a life of bustle and business, it should be the 



