ON SIMPLE RURAL COTTAGES. 247 



length, ffothidsed by the introductioii of three or four pointed win- 

 dows, little gables eliough, for a residence of the first class, and a 

 profusion of thin, scolloped verge-boards, looking more; lite card or- 

 naments, ^than the solid, heavy, carved decorations proper to the 

 style imitated. 



Let those who wish to avoid such exhibitions of bad taste, recur 

 to some just and correct principles on this subject. 



.One of, the soundest maxims ever laid down on this subject, by 

 our lamented friend Loudon, (who understood its principles as well 

 as any one that ever wrote on tbis subject), was the following : 

 '^Nothing should be introduced into any cottage design, however 

 ornamental it may appeary that is at variance with propriety, com- 

 fort, or sound workmanship." 



The chiefest objection that we njake to these over-decorated 

 cottages of very sinall size, (whiijh we have now in view,) is that 

 the introduction of so much ornament is evidently a violation of 

 the principles of propriety. 



It cannot be denied by the least reflective mind, that.there are 

 several classes of dwelling-houses in every country. • The mansion of 

 .the wealthy' proprietor, which" is filled with pictures and statues, 

 ought certainly to have a superior architectural character to the 

 cottage of the industrious workingman, who is just able to furnish 

 a comfortable home for his family. While the first is allowed to 

 display even an ornate style of building, which his means will en- 

 able him to complete and fender somewhat perfect^the other can- 

 not adopt the same ornaments without rendering a cottage; which 

 might be agreeable and pleasing, from its fitness and geuuine sim- 

 plicity, oiFensive and distasteful through its ambitious, borrowed 

 decorations. 



By addpting such ornaments they must therefore violate pro- 

 priety, because, architecturally, it is not fitting that the humble cot- 

 tage should wear the decorations of a superior dwelling, any more 

 than that the plain workingman should wear the same diamonds 

 that represent the superfluous wealth of his neighbor. In a cot- 

 tage of the smallest size, it is evident, also, that, if its tenant ia the 

 owner, he must make some sacrifice of comfort to produce effect; 

 and he waives the principle which demands sound workmanship. 



