Farm- Servants' Cottages. 261 



effectually simplify and improve the former, and entirely 

 abolish the latter. 



We are aware that there is a great prejudice in favour of 

 Gothic buildings of every description, from the cottage to the 

 palace ; arising from the associations of reverence, antiquity, 

 and chivalry, which are connected with them. Maturely 

 considered, however, we cannot help sometimes doubting 

 whether the existing pi-ejudice in favour of Gothic architec- 

 ture does not reflect more discredit than honour on human 

 nature; at all events, it is a prejudice unworthy of an age of 

 rapid improvement like the present. We freely acknowledge 

 that we do not expect many converts to our views in this 

 respect; because simplicity is one of the last refinements, not 

 only in the progress of the arts, but in the progress of opinion. 

 Believing, as we do, that this principle is undeniable, we have 

 little doubt but that much of what is now considered beauty, 

 both in art and in literature, will by the next generation be 

 neglected, and, as the French characteristically express it, 

 " reduit au merite historique." 



However, as a superabundance of wealth must find means 

 of displaying itself, let there be Gothic or other fanciful cot- 

 tages and lodges ; but let not fancy be exercised on them at 

 the expense of the health and comfort of the inhabitants. 

 Let architects and their employers begin by such dimensions 

 and arrangements as will insure commodiousness, and every 

 requisite convenience ; let there be lofty ceilings for a large 

 volume of air ; large windows for abundance of light, and for 

 ample ventilation ; a raised floor, and thick walls, to insure 

 dryness and warmth ; and fireplaces, flues and chimneys al- 

 ways placed in the interior walls, and never in the outside 

 ones.* Having fixed these points, superadding sound found- 

 ations, materials, and workmanship, there can be no objection 

 to the exercise of such taste, or no taste, as the parties may 

 possess. A little of the absurd, indeed, sometimes does more 

 for general improvement than the good, because it calls forth 

 criticism. 



3. Farm- Servants' Cottages. — The cottages erected by farm- 

 ers for their yearly servants cannot be expected to be either 

 commodious or substantial ; because in Scotland they are built 

 with a view to the duration of a nineteen or twenty-one years' 

 lease, by a party who never can have much capital to spare 

 for such a purpose. It is true, the landlord generally makes 

 a certain allowance for the erection of such cottages ; but, not- 



* Further remarks on this subject will be found in our Encyclopedia of 

 Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture, Part I. p. 8. 



s 3 



