RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
379 
villas and cottages in the Italian, or old English styles, are 
being erected by proprietors who feel the pre-eminent beauty 
of these modes for domestic architecture. And from the 
rapidity with which improvements having just claims for 
public favour advance in our community, we have every 
reason to hope that our Rural Architecture will soon exhibit 
itself in a more attractive and agreeable form than it has 
hitherto generally assumed. We take pleasure in referring 
to a few of these buildings more in detail. 
The cottage of Thomas W. Ludlow, Esq., near Yonkers, 
on the Hudson, (Fig. 57,) is one of the most complete 
examples on this river. The interior is very carefully and 
harmoniously finished, the apartments are agreeably 
arranged, and the general effect of the exterior is varied 
and pleasing. 
There is scarcely a building or place more replete with 
interest in America, than the cottage of Washington Irving, 
near Tarrytown, (Fig. 58.) The “ Legend of Sleepy Hollow,” 
so delightfully told in the Sketch-Book, has made every 
one acquainted with this neighbourhood, and especially with 
the site of the present building, there celebrated as the u Van 
Tassel House,” one of the most secluded and delightful nooks 
on the banks of the Hudson. With characteristic taste, *Mr. 
Irving has chosen this spot, the haunt of his early days, since 
rendered classic ground by his elegant pen, and made it his 
permanent residence. The house of “Baltus Yan Tassel,” 
has been altered and rebuilt in a quaint style, partaking some- 
what of the English cottage mode, but retaining strongly 
marked symptoms of its Dutch origin. The quaint old 
weathercocks and finials, the crow-stepped gables, and the 
hall paved with Dutch tiles, are among the ancient and 
Venerable ornaments of the houses of the original settlers -of 
