On the Construction of Cottages. 
367 
Cost of Cottage with Stone Walls and Thatched Roof and Lime- 
Ceilings, &c. 
£. 
s. 
d. 
Chimneys .... 
4 
4 
6 
Ovens .... 
3 
7 
6 
Paving .... 
5 
16 
11 
Skirting: .... 
0 
6 
0 
Lime ceilings 
8 
18 
9 
Lime partitions 
.5 
3 
01 
Stone wall .... 
. 39 
0 
0 
Windows .... 
n 
4 
6 
Stud partitions 
6 
12 
6 
Stairs .... 
2 
0 
0 
Closets .... 
1 
14 
8i 
Ceiling, joists, &c. 
3 
9 
0 
Floors .... 
15 
0 
0 
Doors - . . . 
6 
12 
0 
Roof 
. 27 
16 
6 
Out-buildings, &c. 
9 
11 
8 
Total cost of stone cottage 
£146 
17 
The cost of building cottages containing the same accommo- 
dation as those I am describing, Avith any other material than 
stone, and clay, and thatch, is so great that no persons will be 
likely to take them in hand to whom estimates are any object, 
and on that account I do not furnish them. 
It will be observed that in giving my estimates I did not confine 
myself to the exact dimensions as far as inches ; thus the inside 
width of the cottage is in reality only 12 ft. 8 in. instead of 13 ft. 
But this is not material. The price of materials and labour will 
doubtless vary in diSerent districts; but the sum total will not be 
far different from mine. My calculation is made for the central 
part of Suffolk. The cottage I have described is of a superior 
description to those generally inhabited by agricultural labourers, 
and the rent may fairly be put at 3/. 3s. 
Labourers are sensible of the comfort of good houses, and 
would be able and willing to pay that sum, and this would yield 
an interest of 5| per cent, on the outlay ; which, added to the 
advantage in a social point of view of good dwellings for the poor, 
should be a sufficient inducement to the gentry to adopt this mode 
of improving their estates. Gentlemen who have timber of their 
own may bring it to a good market by cottage-building ; for I 
have allowed 2s. 4.d. per foot for all that I have used. Elm, or [ 
poplar, or ash, &c., do as well as foreign timber for floors, stair- j 
cases, ceilings, joists, wall-plates, and stud-work. j 
One further suggestion I would make before I dismiss this 
subject : it is the propriety of building independent apartments of 
VOL. IV. 2 R 
