442 
Fanning of Dorsctsliire. 
ment, exceptinj^ a stone dressing over the windows. The cost 
certainly exceeds the ability of a labourer to pay fair interest 
for the outlay ; but Mr. Start's defence is, that the property at 
large is increased in value by increasing the comforts of the 
cultivators ; that the cottages contain nothing but what is requi- 
site ; and that he had taken the requisites and not tlie cost into 
consideration Avhen directing the erection of these dwellings. 
One considerate provision deserves notice. In each village 
houses are built on a ground-floor, for aged people. Mr. Sturt's 
example has been largely followed, and the old nmd-walled and 
thatched cottages are rapidly disappearing before neat and often 
handsome erections of brick and stone. Lord Portman has built 
good cottages at Pimperne and Durvveston. The Earl of Ilchester 
' has built much at Evershot, Abbotsbury, &c., E. St. Vincent 
Digbv, Esq., at Minterne, and the Duke of Bedford has en- 
tirely rebuilt Swyre. Mr. Williams, of Bridehead, Lord Sliaftes- 
bury, Sir R. P. Glynn, and otlicrs, may be ranked amongst 
cottage improvers. I am anxious that the public, who liave 
heard so much in years past of the cottages of Dorset, should 
see for themselves the kind of dwelling now provided for the 
Dorsetshire labourer, and annex two plans : the first, of some 
of Mr. Sturt's cottages ; the second, of the Duke of Bedford's 
erections at Swyre : — 
ELEVATION OF THE rRONT. 
