STYLE OF ARCHITECTURE. 



257 



In structures of this kind a strict attention to the architectural stjie 

 of the dwelling should be by no means disregarded. It would be incon- 

 gruous and absurd to see a Doric, Corinthian, or Gothic building to which 

 a verandah or greenhouse of any other order were appended, yet such in- 

 stances of bad taste are often seen. Architectural decoration, however, must 

 not be carried too far, particularly where it has the effect of excluding the 

 light. There can, however, be no objection to the pilasters between the 

 front sashes being so constructed as to show the style of architecture to 

 which they belong. In regard to the dimensions of such houses, they 

 should, under few circumstances, be of less length than that of the front 

 of the house against which they are placed, and indeed of which they 

 may be said to form a part : their height and width must always be 

 governed by circumstances. If a sloping roof be adopted, it cannot be 

 higher than the sill of the windows of the rooms immediately above 

 it; the width then must be contracted to allow of sufficient fall for 

 the water to run off, as the front or upright sashes should not be less 

 than eight feet in height. To obviate this difficulty, and to increase the 

 width, a curviUnear, or span roof, may be adopted, the centre or ridge of 

 which may be, without objection, a foot or two above the level of the 

 sin of the first-floor windows, because it will be sufficiently distant to 

 prevent the view from being interrupted, or the rooms from being 

 darkened. 



Such structures are, however, better adapted for the display of flower- 

 ing plants and fine specimens already grown to perfection, than for the 

 more dehcate process of rearing them from seeds, cuttings, &c. Such a 

 house as we are now alluding to, should present at aU times a perfect 

 whole. The very changing of the plants when going out of flower, or 

 the introduction of such as are coming into bloom, should be conducted 

 early in the morning, or when the family is from home, or gone out, 

 so that no appearance of disorder or confusion may be observed. Of course 

 in this case we allude to families of distinction and fashion. The more 

 humble, yet no less zealous amateur may take delight in conducting these 

 arrangements personally, and derive as much pleasure from the contem- 

 plation of his own handywork as * his more opulent and luxurious neigh- 

 bour in viewing that which is prepared for him. 



To maintain a regular supply for a house of this description when it is 

 intended to be kept in the first degree of elegance and perfection, it will 

 be necessary to have recourse elsewhere, and this can easily be accom- 

 plished, either by purchasing from the nurserj^men, or by growing plants 

 in a pit or gi'eenhouse in the same garden. There are certain plants 



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