248 EURAL ARCHITECTURE. 



since to adopt any highly ornamental style, the possessor of small 

 means is obliged to make those ornaments flimsy and meagre, 

 which ought to be substantial and carefully executed. 



Do we then intend to say, that the humble cottage must be left 

 bald and tasteless ? By no means. We desire to see every rural 

 dwelling in America tasteful. When the intelligence of our active- 

 minded people has been turned in this direction long enough, we 

 are confident that this country will more abound in beautiful rural 

 dwellings than any other part of the world. But we wish to see 

 the workingman's cottage *made tasteful in a simple and fit man- 

 ner. We wish to see him eschew all ornaments that are inappro- 

 priate and unbecoming, and give it a simple and pleasing character 

 by the use of truthful means. 



For the cottage of this class, we would then entirely reject all 

 attempts at columns or verge-boards.* If the owner can afford it, 

 we would, by all means, have a veranda (piazza), however small ; 

 for we consider that feature one affording the greatest comfort. If 

 the cottage is of wood, we would even build it with strong rough 

 boards, painting and sanding the same. 



We would, first of all, give our cottage the best proportions. 

 It should not be too narrow ; it should not be too high. These are 

 the two prevailing faults with us. After giving it an agreeable pro- 

 portion which is the highest source of all material beauty we 

 would give it something more of character as well as comfort, by 

 extending the roof. Nothing is pleasanter to the eye than the 

 shadow afforded by a projecting eave. It is nearly impossible that 

 a house should be quite ugly, with an amply projecting roof : as it 

 is difficult to render a simple one pleasing, when it is narrow and 

 pinched about the eaves. 



After this, we would bestow a little character by a bold and 

 simple dressing, or facing, about the windows and doors. The 



* Of course, these remarks regarding decorations do not apply strictly 

 to the case of cottages for the tenants, gardeners, farmers, etc., of a large 

 estate. In that case, such dwellings form parta of a highly finished whole. 

 The means of the proprietor are sufficient to render them complete of their 

 kind. Yet even in this case, we much prefer a becoming simplicity in the 

 jottages of such a desmesne. 



