274 The Country House. 



do I propose to give you a fac-simile of any building of the Renaissance 

 school. To the best of my power, 1 propose (as the best style) that which 

 adopts the pure broad principles of beauty in building, and which were, I sin- 

 cerely believe, best propounded by the Greeks ; and which all expei'ience has 

 shown to be the best suited to receive addition from the highest style of 

 painting and sculpture ; and which are, in fact, parts of architecture. How 

 far I may succeed is another point." (p. 22.) 



Letter V. — General observations by the employer ridiculing modern prac- 

 tices. 



Letter VI. — The employer describes the site, and the accommodations 

 required, more in detail. 



Letter VII. — The architect, speaking of architectural treatment and cha- 

 racter, has the following passage : — 



" Nearly all productions of architecture, more especially structures adapted 

 for habitation, offer one side stamped as the principal or front, and another, 

 which is its reverse ; in which respect they bear a greater analogy to living 

 beings than to plants ; the latter having no definite fore side, on the contrary, 

 any part becoming the front that is towards the spectator. Such being the 

 case, the same rules that are to be observed for displaying a statue or repre- 

 sentation of a living figure to advantage ought to be attended to in regard to 

 the position of buildings." (p. 31.) 



He proposes to form an artificial lake, and erect the house immediately on 

 its north shore. " I need hardlj' point out to 3'OU the unusual agreeableness, 

 and e\en piquant effect, of a residence so situated ; and when I send my plans 

 for the house itself, you will see what are the apartments that will occupy this 

 side of the building, and what a charming prospect they will command of the 

 lake immediately below, and the grounds on its opposite banks. At present 

 I will only remark, as regards the increased effect thus to be gained, that a 

 building immediately on the edge of a piece of water appears more consider- 

 able than in any other situation ; and that the reflected image of the archi- 

 tecture will form a brilliant contrast to the darker reflections of trees and 

 foliage. Besides which, the most favourable point of distance for viewing the 

 building itself on this side would thus become fixed, being that from the oppo- 

 site bank of the lake. 



" A very cursory examination of the plan of the ground will convince you 

 that the whole of the buildings you require are massed together in one group. 

 Such an arrangement certainly contributes to convenience ; and I agree with 

 you that, by showing the various offices, instead of attempting to mask or 

 screen them, the house itself may be made to possess greater importance and 

 apparent extent ; that is, you will get a large-looking country house at a small 

 cost. It may be further remarked, that, by adopting such treatment of the 

 plan, some kind of architectural foreground is introduced into the prospects 

 seen from the house itself, together with much contrast and varietj', and that, 

 too, without incurring unnecessary or extra expense, since the same accom- 

 modation must be provided. Another advantage is, that the subordinate 

 buildings of this kind, attached to the main structure, may be made use of as 

 a kind of connecting link between the more artificial and studied regularity of 

 the latter, and the natural objects in its immediate vicinity ; without which 

 sort of intermediate transition a house is apt to have the appearance of a 

 mushroom structure that has over night started up out of the ground." (p. .32.) 

 Letter VIII. — The architect explains the design in detail. 

 Letter IX. — The employer objects to having a house " actually bordering 

 on still water." 



Letter X. — The architect describes the interior. 



Letter XI. — The employer addresses Charles Lock Eastlake, Esq., R. A., 

 &c., reminding him of his promise of advice, and acknowledging the kindness 

 with which he devoted much time and labour to the " designing and execut- 

 ing" for him the " Pompeian room so deservedly admired." 



" 1 never think on the subject without calling to mind the principles laid 



