318 STUDIES IN THE FIELD AND FOREST. 



is always pleasing to the eye, and another which is 

 either offensive or unattractive. A good style differs 

 from a bad style chiefly in suggesting, by its external 

 appearance, all those exterior and interior arrangements 

 which serve to make it a happy and comfortable resi- 

 dence. This is the principal beauty which is desirable 

 in a dwelling in order to produce the most charming 

 effect. There are certain ornaments the utility of which 

 is not apparent; but every thing added externally to a 

 house, in accordance with the rule of proportions, that 

 suggests to the mind an additional comfort or con- 

 venience, renders it more pleasing to the sight. Hence 

 a plain, square house, without a single projection, is 

 not so pleasant to look upon as another house, whose 

 wings and vestibules, under separate roofs, exhibit at 

 once to the mind, the conveniences within. A neatness 

 and elegance of finish would improve it still further ; 

 but any inexpressive ornaments would spoil it. There 

 is a class of ornaments, however, which are beautiful 

 from suggesting something, independent of actual util- 

 ity, that is agreeable to the imagination. 



I would venture to affirm that the more showy the 

 house, other things being equal, the less pleasure does 

 it confer upon its owner or occupant. A perpetual glitter 

 soon tires upon the eye and wearies the mind. There 

 is a want of what painters call repose in a house that 

 is excessively ornate; and the occupants of such a 

 house must feel less tranquil satisfaction in it than in 

 one of equal convenience, which is furnished only with 

 such ornaments as have been denominated chaste. 

 Chaste pleasures are those which are attended by no 

 disgust and bring no repentance ; and chaste ornaments 

 resemble them in this respect, by giving permanent sat- 

 isfaction, and by causing no fatigue to the eye or re- 



