COCKNEYISM IN THE COUNTRY. 227 



ftil and appropriate ; though we confess our feeling is, that a certain 

 soberness should distinguish the richness of the finest mansion in the 

 country from that in town. Still, in a villa or mansion, where all 

 the details are carefully elaborated, where there is no neglect of 

 essentials in order to give effect to what first meets the eye, where 

 every thing is substantial and genuine, and not trick and tinsel, 

 there one expects to see more or less of the luxury of art in its best 

 apartments. 



But all this pleasure vanishes in the tawdry and tinsel imitation 

 of costly and expensive furniture, to be found in cockney country 

 houses. Instead of a befitting harmony through the whole house, 

 one sees many minor comforts visibly sacrificed to produce a little 

 extra show in the parlor ; mock " fashionable " furniture, which, in- 

 stead of being really fine, has only the look of finery, usurps in the 

 principal room the place of the becoming, unpretending and modest 

 fittings that belong there ; and one is constantly struck with the 

 effort which the cottage is continually making to look like the town 

 house, rather than to wear its own more appropriate and becoming 

 modesty of expression. 



The pith of all that should be said on this subject, lies in a few 

 words, viz., that true taste lies in the union of the beautiful and the / 

 significant. Hence, as a house in the country is quite distinct in 

 character and uses, in many respects, from a house in town, it 

 should always be built and furnished upon a widely different princi- 

 ple. It is far better, in a country house, to have an abundance of 

 space, as many rooms as possible on a floor, the utmost convenience 

 of arrangement, and a thorough realization of comfort throughout, 

 than a couple of very fine apartments, loaded with showy furniture, 

 " in the latest style," at the expense of the useful and convenient 

 every where else. 



And we may add to this, that the superior charm of significance 

 or appropriateness is felt instantly by every one, when it is attained 

 though display only imposes on vulgar minds. We have seen a 

 cottage where the finest furniture was of oak in simple forms, where 

 every thing like display was unknown, where every thing costly was 

 eschewed, but where you felt, at a glance, that there was a prevail- 

 ing taste and fitness, that gave a meaning to all, and brought all 



