December, 19 2 2 
41 
Much of the picturesqueness of Bermuda 
houses depends upon their setting. Ancient 
trees, a profusion of flowers and moss cov¬ 
ered walls add to the effect of beauty 
Throughout the island are found modern 
pretentious houses, built, however, of the 
same local materials and preserving the 
same general character as the smaller ones 
could. The first permanent dwellers in 
the island brought with them habits of 
building from their homes and types of 
houses to which they were accustomed. 
With the exception, however, of some 
of the larger and more recent houses, it 
is difficult to find definite examples of 
survival or imitation. Here and there 
one sees in a stray architectural detail 
a reminiscence of 18th Century Eng¬ 
land, and more noticeably vestiges of 
Spanish or Portuguese influence in the 
gables of a roof or a tower. The major¬ 
ity" of houses scattered over the island, 
however, have definitely recognizable 
characteristics in common. 
And from the prevailing simplicity 
and uniformity of construction one 
comes to the conclusion that it is not 
racial or national taste nor the conser¬ 
vation of an imported model which lies 
(i Continued on page 78 ) 
A typical house of moderate size, showing 
the gateway, use of blinds and second story 
entrance with wooden balcony above. The 
impression is one of comfort and quiet peace 
The Bermuda chimney of the older sort is 
not unlike the chimney of the Southern 
log cabin, except that it is made of stone. 
The hearth is usually raised from the floor 
