412 



Labourers' Cottages. 



according to the second, 2967. 9s. Sd. At the first glance this will 

 probably appear to many a large outlay, when contrasted with 

 other estimates professing to build cottages at a much less cost. 



Having had considerable experience in cottage-building, I do 

 not think that a substantial cottage, containing the same accom- 

 modation, can be erected much, if at all, below my estimate. 



Fully sensible that the more economically suitable dwellings 

 can be erected, the more will the labourer really be benefited, by 

 inducing the landlord to build, I have endeavoured to com- 

 bine economy with utility, while at the same time not professing 

 so much to build cheaply as substantially, and at fair remunerating 

 prices to the builder, below and without which no work can be 

 expected to be executed in a proper and durable manner. And 

 here I also beg to call attention to the circumstance, that in our 

 estimates the total expense of cottages and outbuildings connected 

 therewith is given ; whereas in other estimates possibly the expense 

 of the cottage alone is stated. This, at first view, would present 

 a startling difference ; but when necessity and discomfort call for 

 the after-addition of these, it will be found that the final, actual 

 expense, will be assimilated. 



It may be confidently depended upon, that the cost of the cot- 

 tages, Sec, will not exceed the estimates, the first having been de- 

 duced from the actual measurement and valuation of similar cot- 

 tages built in 1848, and tested by the cost of those erected in pre- 

 vious years. Where materials afforded by the estate are used, 

 the cost will be still less, but no advantage has been taken of this 

 circumstance in forming the estimates : the materials are calcu- 

 lated at the current prices of the country, and we entertain no 

 doubt that similar cottages may be built in almost any locality for 



as in the present estimate ; and, in addition, rough timber, which however 

 on most estates may be provided from thinning of plantations, and can 

 scarcely be called, certainly would not be felt as, an expenditure. The deal 

 floors, &c>, to be found by himself. The cost of digging rough building-stone 

 is here 6d. per cubic yard, and lime is put by himself at 6c?. per bushel. 

 Every one now feels the necessity of improving our labourers' cottages, but 

 as to the best plan we can only say, I fear, that we have made a beginning. 

 Economy is necessary, because the complete work would require millions, 

 and the means are very limited. Experience, however, will probably 

 reduce the expense. One necessary step is, that gentlemen should become 

 acquainted with the details of building, so as to check fraud, or at least 

 carelessness, on the part of builders and measurers. A gentleman who 

 attends to his own affairs may build, as I have seen, for 100/. what would^cost 

 another 200Z. It also seems a formidable thing, even at the lowest estimate, 

 to rebuild a whole village, but though many villages consist entirely of 

 mean cottages, even they need not be renewed altogether. For two bad 

 cottages of two rooms each, if laid into one, might make an extremely 

 good one ; and thus half the new building is saved at once. A useless 

 barn too may be converted into an excellent pair of cottages. — Ph. Pusey. 



