Victorian Houses

House Plans, Model Homes

& House Articles from
Harper’s, Scribner’s,
Godey’s Lady’s, &c.

1850-1900
 Bring ideas
from this collection of house plans
and articles from 1850 to 1900
to your architect
to have construction blueprints
made in conformance to
local regulations, current building
and safety codes,
and for current prices.

These articles and house plans from

1850s to 1900
were collected and reprinted by
Merrymeeting Archives LLC 2006
www.housemouse.net
 Table of Contents
1 8 5 0 - 5 1 Model Cottages; Cottage Furniture; Plan of a Southern
Cottage; Tudor Style Cottages; A Small Villa/row Godey's Lady's Book

1 8 5 5 House Plans: Model Cottages/row Godey's Lady's Book

1 8 5 5 Ice-Houses ^ o w Godey 's Lady's Book

1 8 5 5 Hints for Home Comforts/row Godey's Lady's Book

1 8 5 5 Hints for Countiy House Builders by Calvert Vaux

1 8 5 9 Our Houses by a Harper's editor

1864 House Plans from Godey's Lady's Book

1 8 6 3 Houseless by Egbert P. Watson

1 8 6 5 The Houses We Live In by Robert Tomes

1865 How t o Redeem Woman's Profession from Dishonor

by Catherine Beecher

1866 Cost of a Home by J. W. Perkins

1 8 6 9 A Christian House by Harriet Beecher Stowe and Catherine Beecher

1 8 7 4 House Plans: Model Residences, American Ornamental Villa,
Italian Villas, Suburban Residences, Ornamental Cottage, An
American Cottage and Swiss Cottage from Godey's Lady's Book

1 8 7 2 Hints on House Building by a Scribner 's editor

1 8 7 2 Dust in Cities by a Scribner's editor

1 8 7 2 Aunt's New House (fiction) by Katherine G. Ware

1 8 7 5 "Door-Steps" by a Scribner's editor

1 8 7 5 Comfort Below Stairs by a Scribner's editor

1 8 7 5 The Piazza by a Scribner's editor

1 8 7 5 Color in Houses by a Scribner's editor

1 8 7 5 Frameless Houses by a Scribner's editor

1 8 7 7 House and Home Building by a Scribner's editor

1 8 7 9 A New Flooring by a Scribner's editor

1 8 7 9 Plans for Tenement Houses by a Scribner's editor

1 8 8 8 House Plans from Godey's Lady's Book

1 8 8 2 The Architecture of t h e Home byKC Russell

1 8 8 3 The Problem of Living in New York by Junius Henri Browne

1 8 8 4 Recent Building in New York by Montgomery Schuyler

1 8 8 4 Fireproof Houses by a Harper's editor

1 8 9 9 The Building of t h e Modem City House by Russell Sturgis

1 8 9 9 The Equipment of t h e Modem City House by Russell Sturgis

1 9 0 0 Architecture for Modem Times with Plans St Estimates

 1850s
• Model Cottages with Cottage Furniture,
Plan of a Southern Cottage, Tudor Style
Cottages & A Small Villa....1850-51
• Model Cottages...1855
• Ice-House...l855
• Hints for Home Comforts... 1855
• Hints for Country House
Builders....1855
• Our Houses....1859
 MODEL COTTAGE

Accommodation.—This neat liltle dwelling con-

lains only one large room or kitchen, a', a small
I)ed-room, h\ and a store closet, c. The servant is
supposed to sleep in the kilcheoj where the situation
of the bed is indicated. The space between tiie
ceiling and roof may be obtained by having a trap-
door over the porch.

^^

!iii
••••V.VVl'. T^JT

^1
10 S 0 20 ft
M ' • • ' ' " ' 1
 MODEL COTTAaS.

'^W^M

A Cottage in t/te Italian Stylo. passage, b', kitchen, c, two hcd-roums. </, e; back-
k i t c h e n , / ; pantry, ^g-; dairy, k; and cow-hou&e,
Accommodation.—The plan siiows a porch, o ; < &c. », it,
 M O D E L
A Dwelling of two stories.
This cottage contains, on the ground floor, an ea-
irtince lobby, (i; staircase, A; kitchen, c; parlor, «?;
tool-house, e; paniry and dairy,/; back-kitchen,£•;
wood-shed, h; dust-hole, i\ wulcr-closct, k\ and
cow-house, with brew-house oven, I.
C O T T A G E
The cow-house is connected with a courl-yar
which conlains a shed for hay and straw, piggeries,
with a manure-well connected with the water-closet.
The platform, on three sidca of this dwelling, forum
a handsome walk, from which there is a door into
the court-yard.
The Ijed-room floor contains a best bed-room, »J ;
 a second bed-room, >*; a third bed-room, o ; and a ; General Estimate.—M,901 cubic feet, at 10 cents
slujr,;;, I per foot, §1,41*0 -JO; at 5 ccula, ^715 20.

COTTAGE F U R N [ T U F. E .

Fig. 1.
Fig. 2. Fis. 3

Fig. 4. Fig. 5. Fig. 6.

Fig. 1 19 a small cuphonrd-sideboard for an eatly > Figs. 4 and 5 are parlor elbow-chairs, in the Gre-
liirnished cotfnge parlor, in which there is not much | cian style.
TvKim. \ Fig. 6 is an elbow-chair for the •work-room. It
Figs. 2 and 3 are plain Grecian chairs for the par- \ has a worli-box drawer uudcrncuih the seat.

30*
 • C O T T A G- E F U Pv is 1 T 0' R E .

Fig. 1.

Fitr 1 i. a French bed.tead of an improved de. | Figs. 2, 3, un.l 4 ar« dre*.ing-gUs.cs of plain pa,-
.crilSlion. There are two drawer, and a cupboard [ terns, suitable lor a c.i.age chamber,
lifldemeatli, all opeuiii? at the !*ide, for greater con- |
venicuce.
Fig. 4.
Fig. 2. F'-o-^.
 C O 1' T A G E F U F. N 1 T U I . E

Fi:;. 1

Fi?.2.

Fis.;

Fig. 4

^Wj;;^tc:^if^in—~i^

Fig. 1.—Sofa, in the Gothic elylc. ' Figs, 3 and 4.—Dressing-glasses.

Fig. '2.—Tent bed:*lcad, with curtains, complete.
 MODEL COTTAGE

A Cottage Dwelhng of Ueo Rooms. earlli or ftono, and tlic inlerior of brick noggins:,
Acccmmodation.-ln the ground-pka of this do- j ^a'' '*'i'»'«'«' cxoeptiot. oflbc chimney siacks. The
fign thorc vt a kitclmn, a\ with a beil-rooni, b; a \i pilcli of tlio roof bt!ing low, it should be curcred
iifht rl<»cl in the lA:d-room, c\ a bed CIOMJI from i wilb »Iates.
tJie kilclien,//; and u puiilry, c. \ Gentrnl Kxtimatr.—Cubic ciuitents 7,770 feet;
C<in.Uruc(itf7i.—The exterior walls may be of i at 10 cents per foot, J777 00; nt 0 ccnt!«, S;.t*tS 50.
 MODEL
A Dweiltng with four roonu, a lad litchea, and
otlur amvenitnet*.
AeeommoitalioJt.—^This is calculated to afford a
very comfnrtalitc habitation; and, all the rooms be-
xng on the ground-floor, tbu walls may be built of
earth, and the apartments heated by ditcss in the
floor from the buck kitclien.
Tli<* groiind-)>lan shows a porcb, a; a kitchen, B;
a [>arlor, e; two bed-rooms, d and «; a lobby, f
COTTAGE.
(lighted from tbe dairj-); a cloiiet,^; wood or coal
house, h; pautrj', »; commode, /•; dairy, / ; and
back kitchen, m.
Cotutruetioii.-^'Iha walls may be of .ttunc, lur-
nished with blocking course!'; the roof of i'lali*; and
the windows of sashes huiJff with wuighti> and pul-
leys. The floors nwy be of boards, or paved, and
healed by lines from the back kitchen.
General EstiiHate.—Cubic couteuts 19,108 feet;
at 10 oents per foot, SI9IC SO ; at 5 cents, ^973 40.
 MODEL COTTAGE.

A Cotta^witht Stylcof Heriot^i JSospital, Edin- closei,i; fuel,/-; cow-hoiise,/; pi^-»lye, m; yard,
burgh. n; dust-hole, q.
The Scotch are great admirers ofttbis style, as
THE ekvatioaisshownJnfig.'l, the ground-plan belonging to one of their favorite public buildings,
in fig. 2. which is said to have been designed by the cele-
Acm7nmodation.—Th& plan «Uow8 a porch, a; brated Inigo Jones. The style is that of the times
a lobby, b; living room, c; kitchen, d; back-kitch- of Queen Elizabeth, and King Jameu VI. of Scotland
en, «; pamcy, / ; dairy, g\ bed-closet, A; store- and I. of England.

y ^ . . l W^.-^^

^1
 PLAN OF A S O U T H E R N COTTAGE.
BY A L & D T CORRKSPONDENT
To THE EDITORS OF THE LADY'S BOOK : —
1 HAVE taken (he liberty of sending yoa a sketch
of a plan for a southern cotta2:e, as I have often
noticed that your plans of collages were more ex-
pressly intended for the North, and in many respeets
would not answer at all for a southern climate.
The publication of plan"* for collngos suited to
our warm climate, conibininn:, at the sainc time,
beauty of structure with convenience and cheap-
ness, would be received with pleasure by many
who wish to improve and render more convenient
their homes.
The kitchen is separate from the house, as are
also the storeroom, dairy, &c. Even the smallest
cottages have separate shelters for everything; and,
indeed, in the country, farms have sometimes the
appearance of small villages. In the South, cellars
or basements are rarely seen. I can only give you
a rough sketch of a plan, which perhaps will give
you some idea of what I mean. It is a one-story
house, the first floor of which is raised seven or
eight feet from the ground, with a piazza attached,
the same roof covering both house and piazzas—thus
raising the garret, which may be finished and ren-
dered a comfortable second story. Tbe first I ever
saw with sue h roofs was in Texas.
The space under the front piazza can be inclose
for firewood—wood-houses being rarely seen in th
South. There are also two small rooms under tl
piazza for servants, and an entry with steps leadiii
up to the first floor. The parlor is over the schoi
room, and the bed-room over the kitchen. Th
back piazza can be with or without blinds or lattici
work. Steps go up in the passage to the secoii
story, where are two good rooms with fireplace
and the raised room in the middle with a flat roc
The basement may be of brick or wood, and ban.
some and cheap pillars may be made by four plant
joined together.
In the South, it is almost indispensable to h«\
piazzas and passage, and the rooms cool and air
The meals are often taken in the piazza in summe
The separation of the kitchen, storehouse, &c., fro
the house is attended with inconvenience in vvint
and bad wealiier, and as much time is consumed
going back and forth as in performing the work (
the family. Agreeably to my plan, the piazzas re
dor the house cool and shaded in summer; while
winter exposure to the weather is unnecessary. ;
everything can be conveniently kept in the basemer
Fewer servants will be required, and these will (
their work better. In going to and returning fro
Texas, I noticed, in the Southern States through
which 1 pas.'ied, the liltle attention that was paid to
the lieauty and «onifort of dwellings.
1 have troubled you with this communication be-
j cause I wi^^h to see an improvement in this respect
1 in (lie South. There are many Southern people who
J will not read books spccrfically on this subject, but
| who wou'.d be influenced by the Lady's Book.
< Elizabeth City, A'. C.

«•«>»
TO THE BLTJEBIED.
BT ANNA.

AVDKV tlic peerless Maud v^as prisoned in a lonely t The March-wind rocks tliy cradle m the lofty popUf
Mstl"' tower, i tree;
A Bliitbird cheered her with his song at early matin \ Then, Bluebird! color of the lime, oh! quickly come
hour; • I to nic!
And ever, as the morning brake, she snng, that sad j
\.J^^]yf._ <• Now pulling at the haystack, now tapping on the pane,
"Th0HBin..bird: color of the time, oh ! quickly come \ Now gl-in.nng through tho hedgerow in the sunny
tome!" i April ram,
! Or warbling on my window-sill thy form I long to f.c :
And years went by, but still he came with each retura I Then, Bluebird I color of the tiine, oh! quickly 6oint
of spring. J to nie!
To rest upon her bosom and to plume his azure wing, i , r •
Tin on a lovely summer's day ho vanished from hor Thou comcet to the city with sweet tales of opeinnp
Bipht, • } leaves,
And left the maiden to hie stead her o^vn true, valiant \ To the cottage by the roadside, on the ledge beneath
kni"ht. i the eaves;
"" < Thou comcst with thy sky-born hues, which durft car.
'Twasbut a simple ballad that my mother used to sing, } never soil,
Uiit I ever loved it for thy sake, Diou brightciit child ( As thoughts <if Ilcnvcn gleam athwart our common
of spring; i homely toil.
Its tiurthcn wakes with vernal scenes within my me- ' .
^^f ^. : Thou wast earlier in childhood's days, but springs were
Then, uiuobird: color of the time, oh! quickly corao \ milder then; . , . , , , . , ,j
^^^J^^, I Oh! won Id that all my early friends, hkc thee, could
i come again!
The pn.c blue flowers that ope their eyes before the | But their moinory glows the brighter as my vision fol-
leavcB sppe.ir, $ lows thee;
And the maple's ruddy buds are out, 'tis time that thou | Then, Bluebird! color of the time, oh ! quickly come
wert here; < to me!
ristt rLoos. > • DO* u r<,ooi.

: N T E p. I •.-/ k O K -r L-i T '

It: '1 II li T u u o K aTYLi;.
 PLAN3 OF THE INTERIOR OF ''TIIE3 TtXDOR STYLE" OF COTTAGE

BCD ROOM BED BOOM

ENTRY

• STORll
• MBM • B^^
CCLUti ^ KITultEN 1 MrAJ

iMTCUrNl
• PANTRTI

^ l l WllA II
P HAUL

• I'l • •
B A S E M ENT
• • • •
PRINCIPAL STORY
SCALE. «r 4 0 F i 6 T

In the second story, the partitions correspond with those in: the principal story. Over the library Is a bed-room;
over the dining-room and drawing-room arc chaiiiliers; over the hall, a hall and.staircase to attic; over the closets,
presses; over the passage between the closets »» " passage; and over the verandah, a flat.
The eBtiuialed cost of this coUage is $3,200.
 A SMALL
FOR A G E N T L E M A N MUCU A T T A C H E D TO
[See
Fig. 1 is the front elevation of this design, in,
whicli is shown the manner of covering the walls
of a hou!!« with vines and fruit trees. There are
seven vines, a lo g; and four fruit trees, h to /.
The vines d and e are trained wilh two arms each,
which produce short bearing shoots, to flll that part
of the wall which is under the sill of the parlor
window, and Ijetween the bed-room windows and
thtf roof. The other vines are all trained with
two anna each, and each arm producing only two
shoots—one for bearing, shown by wavy lines in
the figure, and the other for producing wood, which
is indicated by dotted lines. The length of the
wavy lines may vary from flvo to ten feet, and there
is no limit to the length of tho main stems but the
height of the wall or house. The fruit trees h and
/, on the lower part of the wall, may be apple,
cherry, or plum, and thosQ on the upper part, pear.
VILLA,
GARDENING.
Plait.)
Accommodation.—The ground-plan, fig. 2, shows
a porch, a; dining-room, sixteen by fourteen feet, b;
library, fifteen feet by fifteen, e; drawing-room, of
tbe same dimensions as the dining-room, d; water-
closet, e; kitchen,/; pantry, g; back-kitchen, k;
open court,*; cortServatory, opening into the draw-
ing-room, i; tea-room, three steps higher than the
floor of tbe conservatory, I; forcing house, m; and
covered way to the garden, and to the stoke hole
to the forcing bouse, n.
The bed-room floor, fig. 3, shows fbnr good bed-
rooms, each wilh two closets, and a waler-closet, o,
Remarls.—This design was made for a retired
mercantile man, who has given him.self up to the
ciiUurc of his oarden, in tbe open air during sum-
mer, and in the forcing house during winter and the
early spring.
FOR A GENTLKMAN MUCH ATTACHED TO GARDEXl.NO.

Fig. 2.

Fi2. 3.
nopr.'' r.'v — -'^- '"•'T7^'^-rP^'''-\[••^''•"•''* • —'*'""' ?T|

1-
? ^^wr"\£j^T^
 MODEL COTTAGES.

LlNDWOOD, L A K E MiNNETOUKE. It is the first time -anyof my drawings have

L. A . GoTEY, E S Q .
DEAR S I R : The plan for a dwelling-house
sent yuu anonymously in Febniary la.st cxisls
only on p-apcr. I have no particulars to give;
only it is one of many plans made by mo to
while away the monotony of frontier life.
When lumber becomes more plentiful, tV, or
some other of my fancies, may grace or disgrace
one of the most desirable claims on this large
and beautiful lake. I have taken some lessons
in landscape drawing, but none in .architectural;
the only thing very original in the drawings is
(he arrangement of the rooms, and the bit of
landscape around the elevation. It is one of
the views on our land, minus the slumps and
piles of brush which now disfigure it.
been sent to any publisher; therefore I chose to
send it anonyvwusly, for fear of seeing my
name among your rejected contributors, accom-
panied by a remark upon the presumption oi
folly of its author.
Accept my thanks for the stor}- accompanying
your note. Like Carrie Lee, I esteem your
magazine above any I ever saw designed ex-
clusively for ladies. Thin is a very now coun-
try. All our neighbors, like ourselves, are
living in log cabins or board shanties, and work-
ing very hard to improve their lands, and keep
enough ^hcad to pay for their claims when they
come in market. This year our fancy-work
consists of mending torn garments, and hearing
the rccitations of our little ones; if prospered

OBOUKO V i . A K .
.03 wc anticipate, another year I may be able to
obtain sul'scribcrs enough to avail ourselves of
your very liberal terms for f:lubs. If you arc
pleaded to ihavo my plan engraved, please for-
SECOND
GROUND P L A N , No. 1, Two story.—Parlor,
22 by 22; kitchen, 14 by 24; 1, bed-room, 7 by
15; 2, parlor, 15 by Ifi; 3, wardrobe; 4, ward-
robe; 5, cellar and slairway; 6, china closet; 7,
hall, 34 by 6 J 8 and 10, lattice-work verandah
ICE-HOUSES.
EVERY farmer, and indeed every family ought
to have an ice-house; and here is a plan for a
cheap one, furnished to the "Rural Now Yorker"
by E. Mars, of Onondaga county.
" iMake a box eight feet square, by nailing
hemlock planks, which arc two inches thick,
on to hemlock scantling. Let one side of the
box be seven foct high, and tho side directly
opposite ten feet high. This gives a roof eight
feet long, with a slant of three feet.
" It is well to have Uic roof boards extended
over tho side of the box. Double boarding wilh
hemlock makes a sufllnient roof Set this box
on the top of tho ground, in a dry and shady
place, where surface water will nut accmaulnto.
No planks are needed on the bottom of the box;
bnt sinv-dust must be placed on the ground in-
side the box to the depth of one foot, and over
this place loose boards for tho ice to lie upon.
Cut tho cakes of ico two feet square, and build
a toiver of ice six feet square in tho centre of
ward a copy of Ihc number to my addrcFH,
otherwise I may not have the pleasure of seeing
it in print. Mo.st respectfuU}- yours,
L. D. F.
FLOOR.
for vines; 9, kitchen; 11, pantry, 5 by 10; 12,
bed-room, 9 by 10.
SECOND FLOOR, No. 2.—1, bed-room, 7 Ij
13 ; 2, chamber, 15 by 16; 3, hall; 4, garret or
dormitory.
your box (or ice-house wo will now call it), by
laying tho cakes compactly together, filling all
crevices wilh sawdust as you proceed. AVe have
now a six feet cube of ice, with a spuce all
around between tho ice and planks. Fill this
Bpnce with sawdust, and cover the top of the ico
wilh the same eighteen inches deep, and you
have ice enough secured to last a family through
a season. Tho upper three feet of the side,
which is ten feet high, should be boat bed up, but
left for ventilation, and a place of access to the
ice, and Uiis aperture may be enlarged as con-
vonlenco may require wliile using the ico, and
for more conveniently filling in. About eight
hundred foct of lumber will bo required, and tho
merest tyro in the use of tools can make it.
Fresh sawdust is best, but it may be used a
second wnler. Tho dust can easily be washed
from tho ice at the time of using.
" Every acre of good land is capable of sup-
porting a family of five persons."
 %
"^W^^^^^i^^M^. ^''-o^y\t:
Ni i I,.

^0k
COTTAGK IN 'J'nH I T A L I A N STYLIC

J ^ T E E I O R OF COTTAGE IN THE I T A L I A N STYLE.—(6Ve/r««/«/iJ<.ofr.)

i. Bed-room. 2. Landing. 3. Bed-room. 4. Bed-room,
 MODEL COTTAGES.
DESIOK
T H E following designs are taken from a pam-
phlet put forth by the Haddonficld Ready Villa
Association, for forming at Haddonficldf, N. J.,
six miles Irom Philadelphia, accessible by two
railroads and two turnpikes, one of the most
beautiful and healthy retreats in America. Gar-
rick JMallory, Esq., 53 South 6th Street, is the
president of tho association. The designs are
very pretty.
OKSION
1.
Two adjoining villa lots, each sixty feet in
front, and 120 feet deep, laid out in beautiful
lawns and gardens, inclosed by green hedges,
and fronting on a street at least sixty feet wide,
with side-walks, each eighteen feet wide, and
having each double rows of shade trees, and
brick pavements (/i), and gravel-wa^ks (i) be-
tween the trees.
2.
 Bscond.
^^'^'^-••^^<:>7X.-^k^A ES;
G R O U N D P L A N OT
REFERENCE TO THE L E T T E R S ON THE C O T -
TAGE PLA.VS.—c, the parlor; i, the h.all; c, the
first landing on stairway; d, tho kitchen; e,
dining-room ; g, porch ; A, brick pavement; i,
gravel-walk; fr, back porch or summer kitchen;
Z, brick pavement.
SECOND STORY.—^ni, chamber; w,chamber; o,
hall; q, chamber; r, bath-room and watcr-cloact.
Clear spring-water in kitchen and bath-room.
Gas in all roohis.
DESIGN 1.—This design represents a perspec-
tive A'iew of Iwo cottages of the smallest size, to
be built on villa lots each sixty feet in front,
VOL. L I . — 2 1
-i^:£^?^l^-e::£^^<^'
h
rilS^i:^:!^^.—.^!-;rvV:
D E S I G N S NOS. 1 A N D 2.
adjoining, and thus presenting a handsome front
and still more beautiful side-views. Tho stylo
is the Gothic. The roof is high, truncated, with
ornamental vergo-boards and finials upon th*^
apex, and covered with slate, laid in diamonds.
DESIGN 2.—This design corrfapond-3 with th'i
one above, being in the Italian stylo. It repre-
sents two adjuiniiig cottages, each two and a
half stories high, with rather flat roofs, caves
projecting two feet, four inch:*, with plain slato
coverings, neatly constructed chimney-tops, etc.
Each of these cottages contains nine rooms, and
costs only $700

II c c c i fj t s, Sc c,
HIXTS FOR HOME COMFORTS.
DAILY PLAiV OF WORK FOR A HOUSEMAID.
DEFoaE breakfast clean tlic eitting-room grates,
where there have been fircB in w i n t e r ; and in Bumnier,
dufit them, and taku cure tu have tbeiu a l w a y s bright.
Tlica clean the sit ting-rooms, beginning with that one
which will first be wanted for brcnki'aBt; and when
there is not time tu finish all tho Bitting-roouis before
ticakfast, return to comiilete them nltei you hare bud
your brefiiifuHt.
The hall must, however, be swept and dusted after
the first sitting-room ia completed, before the othem are
entered u p o n ; also tho hall-door steps must then be
vraahcd aiul kept very clean.
Whiin the breakfnet-room, hall, and door-steps, to-
(ether w i t h the remaining sittiug'-ruoms, are done, go
into all the rooms that h a r e been slept in, in order to
open tbe windows and turn down Uie beds to air and
sweeten them, if tho occupants of the rooms have not
already done this. Next fetch the alu{>-i>ail and a c a n
of hot water, and another of cold; empty all slops, a n d
scald well all the crockery that has contained t h e m ;
alter which, rinse every vessel with cold water, and
wipe each dry. Never fail to empty a w a y all water left
in the bottles and j u g s ; rinse them well, and leave them
Buiiplied w i t h / n ' i A water.
Mind to liave the cloths with which the bed-room
crockeiy is wiiied perfectly s w e e t ; to which end, w a s h
tticm out daily after use, and hang them in the open air.
Then, covering the rug with a chith, and tlie sofas,
Ecc, with dust sheets, proceed to clean tho grates and
lay tbe fires ready for lighting.
N e x t w a s h your hands, put on a clean apron kept for
the puriJose, and make all tho beds, shake the feathers
well, turning the b e d s ; alter which turn up the vallance,
and sweep under the b e d s ; and once a week wabh
under Ore beds w i t h a damp flannel.
Twice a week sweep each room; and before sweeping,
fold up everything left about, and put it into its place;
and cover up beds, sofas, and furniture with dust-
sheeta. Uso tea-Ieavea when sweeping.
After sweeping n room, do not immediately remove
the dust-shecte, but give a little time for tfio dust to
settle. Whether rooms h a v e been swept or not, w h e n
all else is done, they should be carefully and well
dusted, and the furniture a litUe rubbed.
No room ia clean, unless the edges of doors aad:win->
dowB, the tops of wardrobes, and all parts o n w h i c h
dust could rest, are well rubbed oyer witli a duster.'
The w i n d o w s will w a n t polishing from time to t i m e ;
tl.ry should a l w a y s look clean and bright.
A l l fenders, flrc-irons, and door-handlca, should be
kept bright and c l e a n ; a litUe daily attention w i l l
etlect this without much labor. No fire-places or irons
ehould be cleaned until tho rug is turned back, and the
carpet covered with a hcnrth-cloth.
A black-iond box, and the brushes and cloths used in
cleaning grates, &c., should never be sot down on a
carpet, but a l w a y s on a hearth-cloth, and every care
should be taken that no spots or stains are made upon
c.'iri>etE and ruga. Cariiets should be taken up, aud
ted-rooms scoured onco a month.
Stairs must be swept down every day, and cleaned
Tnorc completely once a week, when also all passages
el.uuld be well swciit.
The water-closet should be thoroughly cleaned eaL-li
day.
Servants' sleeping-rooms should have the beds opened
to air and sweeten, arid the winduwa opened beloie be-
ing lull in the morning. This is highly reijuiBitc luj-
health. They should be scoured once in tliree weeke.
The Bloi)-pail, lUtcr use, should be well rinsed wilii
hot and cold w-atcr, and put out of doors to keep jt
Bwoct, the lid being olf it.
Bani:iters of etnirs should be dusted every day.
General Directions.
Never begin to sweep a room or clean a grate, till tho
furniture is covered wiUi duat-bheeta, and a l i t u n h -
cloth laid down. A l w a y s use tea-leaves in swceiiing.
In fine wealiier, open all the windows, and keep them
open a s much a s the occupants of Uie room will permit.
Shut them, however, before the evening danips come on.
In winter, never keep windows ojxjn alter three o'clock.
A housemaid should portion out her extra room-
cleaning, BO a s to divide the sweuping a u d scouring
equally amongi-t tho days of the week.
All beds and mattresses should be occasionally taken
Off the bedsteads, that all parts may be sweetened aud
dusted.
A good housemaid will havB a pride in having every-
thing under her care bright and c l e a n ; ahe will not be
afraid of trouble.
A good housemaid will watch oyer furniture, sewing
on tapes and buttons as they come olf, and never allow-
ing anything to become dull or dingy for w a n t of rub-
bing or polishing.
W h e n the family quit a room for a time to take a
meal in nnuUier, she should enter that which they h a v e
left, attend to ttre fire and tlie hearth, put anything
right wliiub is left out of order, and uso her duster a s
xjiay be requisite.
She shimkl nut fail to use the cobweb-brush from time
to t i m e ; indeed, her eye will be in every corner to
detect any particle of dust, or anything out of order.
A good housemaid will be at her work every muriiing
at six o'clock.
M I S C E L L A N E O U S .
T o C L E A N F E A T H E B S . — T a k e for every gallon of
clear'water one pound of fresh-mado quicklime; m i x
them w e l l together, and let it stand twenty-four hours,
then pour off the clear liquid. Put the feathers into a
tub, a w l pour over them enough lime-water to thoroughly
cover them. Stir them round and round, briskly and
rapidly, for a few minutes, and leave them to "Sualt for
three days. Then remove them from the li mo-water,
and thoroughly rinse in clean water, and spread them
todxT.
T o C L E A N C M I P E T S , — A f t e r all the dust is taken out,
tack your carpets down to the iloor. Then m i x half a
pint of bullock's gall w i t h two gallons of soft w a t e r ;
scrub it well with soap and thia gall-mixture; let it
remain till dry, it will Uien look like n e w . Be careful
your brush be not too bard.
BLACKI.VO F O R S T O V E S . — A good blacking for stoves
may bo mado with half a pound of black lead finely
powdered, mixed with the white of three eggs, to make
it stick, then dilute it with some beer till it becomes as
thin as shoe blacking; nl'tc-r utirriiifr, set it over the fire
to simmer for twenty miuutea. When cold, it ia fit for
U8(i.
 THANKS to our proof-reftders we usually succeed tectural effort imitated from the Greek can help
in presenting our ovim productions and those of out being, to a great extent, a mere lifeless parody.
correspondents in a tolerably correct form ; and if a The failure is generally very conspicuous, but,
slight error does now and then occur, we bear it even in the least unsatisfactory instances, some
very philosopbicaUy: A brother Editor, however, absurd inconsistency is sure to assert itself.
who had apparently been annoyed by some " print- Common sense will insist on chimneys and ve-
er's blunders," undertook to show the compositors randas, and the pure classic'outline in due course
by a practical demonstration that with proper caje, suffers grievous mutilation, being thus punished
there need be no errors in the proof, and th^t the
services o[ a reader might be dispensed with. Here for its intrusion into a locality where it had no
follows a " proof of his initial effort, which he had business to be attempted.
tlie grace to insert uncorrected in his paper: Styles like the Chinese or Moorish assist us
This is our iprsT cjgort at TygcBattin^—wc presume bnt little, though each exhibits isolated features
that it will show that w» cau Icnm /ast. we tire seif. that deseiTC careful examination. The Moor-
tvuHlit too. wo Want no halp, we Aiill have it right ish, for example, shows what magical cflects
witqout asslstancE. xhe droof will nead no correeiton, may be produced by light recessed arcades,
we donj intend to try CAsry day! bat we wilj let the
printejs knoA*. " that thaj we ore * 'ono off tftem." lalk and gives some good suggestions for verandas.
nbouj tlie ABX OJ drinting! p is fust is gasy as roliliVg The Chinese, again, with its ti'ellises and bal-
ojjaiofi'!!; conies, is interesting in detail; but neither of
This does not look quite correct; but every proof- the.sc phases of architectural taste are of com-
icador can bear witness that he has often had to prehensive value. They are reiy deficient in com-
correct a proof quite as foul as that. pactness and completeness of plan, and in artistic
design they depend too much for their effect on
delicate and elaborate ornamentation. Such
HINTS FOR COUNTRY HOUSE BUILDERS. decorations as paneling, carving, painting, and
BY CALTIiRT VAUX. gilding may he readily enough obtained where

I N a country like this, where the printing-press a clever, industrious, efiicient pair of hands can
accompanies each stride that is iiidde into be hired for a few spoonfuls of rice per day;
new localities, and where almost every step is, bnt not so easily in a country where every one
marked by n building of some sort, it seems in- is as good as his neighbor, " and better," and
consistent that there should be bnt little popular where ordinary mechanics ask and get two^ or
literature on nrchitecturnl matters. And yet three dollars for a day's work. ;
such i.s, undoubtedly, the fact. Americans nre The free Italian and the later modiBcatiohs
nlwnys reading and incessantly building; but of the Gothic are the most useful types to ana-
the one h.tbitlias scarcely so much influence on lyze; but the flat terrace roofs of the first have
the other as might naturally be expected, Avhen to lie avoided on account of the snow, and the
wc consider the practical character and univers- latter has to be adapted to tho use of verandas
ally recurring interest of the subject. It has before it can be acceptable. Nor is this all.
not, certainly, till within the last few years, been There is in this country a perpetual necessity
an easy matter to place before the public the for compactness of plan, however large the house
necessary illustrations irt a form that would be may bo; because, as it is invariably difficult to
available; and as mere verbal desci-iptions of get efficient servants, it is desirable to save labor
plans or designs arc seldom thoroitghly intelli- in every possible way. In this particular, nei-
gible, this difficulty has probably retarded the ther tiie Italian nor the Gothic examples help
difTusion of popular architectural information. us materially. They delight too much in hnlls
Now, however, with tho present rapid develop- and passages, long coiridors and wide vestibules,
ment and general appreciation of the art of galleries and staircases. This sort of rambling
wood-etigtaving in the United States, this bin; arrangement does not answer here; the diffi-
drance no longer existSj and a. fair field is open culties of heating and sei^'ice render a closer
for the free comttiunication of ideas among attention to concentration desirable. Never-
American architects, arid for the profitable iit-
theless, a sufficient privacy and a freedom from
tcrchange of hints and stiggcstions. {
any appearance of meanness is the right of ev-
The study of whtithas beendoTieiby bthctna- ery house, however small its scale.
tions, though useful as ahclpjtvillneverjhy itself, The English country houses and cottages have
lend to decided results in America, wher^ the in- undoubted claims to our best consideration ; but
stitutions, the needs of the climate, and tho hab- it is from rin examination, by means of illnstra-
its of the people have a distinctive character that' tionsi of wliat is going on at home, called forth
requires special con.sideration. Thns the Greek hy the actual needs of the people, more than
mode, though completely beautiful when con- from a study of foreign examples, that the gen-
tcniplotcd from a proper point of view, has for eral taste for nrchitecturnl comfort and beauty
its leading characteristic n passionless repose in country houses is likely to improve. Any
that is not heartily sympathized with cither by genuine step in advance will bo responded to at
the American atmosphere or the spirit of this once by the sympathetic; perceptive faculties of
locomotive age; and, consequently, no archi- individuals who may notice it, and the result,

NO. I.—SOlIOOL-nOUSE.*
so far as it bears on their needs, wilt remain
daguerreotyped in the memoiy. "Whatever, on
the other hand, has no reference to local habits
and experience, Avill be passed over without re-
ceiving much consideration.
Every active-minded man is in a position to
understand and criticise such examples; and
though they may have little of the pretension
or extent that specimens of villa architecture in
other, differently constituted countries would
afford, they will have the practical advantage
of offering definite starting-points for further
improvement at home;;^ This woiUd hardly hold
good if there was very little doing; but such is
not the case; there has been, of late, an immense
number of buildings of this nature going up in
all parts of the United States; numberless vil-
lages have sprung into existence, and much
thought has been given to the subject. A very
transient visit to any part of the countrj' shows,
however, that a vast number of villas and cot-
tages are erected without regard to artistic jiro-
priety, and at considerable loss to their owners,
from the iiseless outlay incurred by adopting ill-
considered plans; and the subject (as well as
tho majority of the liouses) may be improved by
a littlo more ventilation.
Square boxes, small and large, are springing
up in every direction, constructed without any
attempt at jiroportion, or the slightest apparent
desire to make them agreeable objects in the
landscape. These tell their tale simply and
unceremoniously: they are the natural result
of the migratory, hidependent spirit pervading
the industrious classes in America, and offer in-
teresting evidences of the genuine prosperity of
the country; for they show, not only that the
landlord and tenant sj'stem is disliked, but that
almost every store-keeper and mechanic can
contrive, even when quite young, to buy his own
• No. r. is a doslffn for a vlllogo Rchool-houso. It is
not rcquisito that it Bbould bo of any particular dinicn-
sions, provided that the
proportioii.1 shown be-
tween tho diflTorflnt parts
i.s duly observed. The
outlino of its plan is
a simple parallelogram,
covered by one roof.
—The accommodation
embraces a veranda,
porch, a lobby for bats
and coats, school-room.
lot and live in his own house. On the
other hand, however, they demonstrate
that the capacity for enjopnent, and the
appreciation of what is really desirable in
life, that should naturally accompany this
active and successful industry is wanting.
Each of these bare, bald, white cubes, tells
its monotonous story of a youth passed
with little or no cidtivation of the higher
natural perceptions, and of a system of
education in wliich the study of the beau-
tiful, in its most simple elements, is neg-
lected and apparently despised.
' The lack of taste perceptible all over the
country, in small buildings, is a decided bar
to healthy social enjoyment; it is aweakncss that
affects the whole bone and muscle of the body-
politic. It is a needless inconsistency; for n
fiUl exercise of freedom of speech and action,
should naturally result in a full, free exercise
of the innocent enjoyment that unfettered in-
dustry renders possible. A refined propriety,
and simple, inexpensive grace, ought habitually
to be the distinctive marks of every habitation
in which a free American dwells. Unfortunate-
ly, however, this is not the case. Even the vil-
lage school itself, in which the earliest and most
active germs of progressive thought are com-
menced, is almost always a naked, shabby
structure, without a tree or a shrnb near it, and
is remarkable chiefly for an air of coarse neglect
that pervades its whole aspect. The imjirove-
ment of the village school-house is, probably,
tho most powerful and available means that can
be applied toward effecting a change for the bet-
ter in the appearance of rural dwellings gener-
ally. All see it, all are interested in it, and all
are more or less influenced by its conduct and
appearance. It is placed under the control of
tho leading men in each place, and it might
easily be made the most cheerful and soul-sntis-
fying building in tho neighborhood, instead of,
as at present, a God-forsaken, forlorn-looking
affair, that is calculated to chill the heart and
insult the eye of every thoughtful beholder.
The cost would be utterly incommensurate with
the advantage to be obtained. An extra hun-
dred or hundred and fifty dollars, at first start-
ing, would do much. The roof might then have
a good projection, and be neatly finished; some
sort of simple porch might be added; tho chim-
ney might be slightly ornamented, and the rest
would then depend on proportion, color, and sur-
rounding the building, from time to time, with
shnibs, creeping vines, and young trees. These,
rccitation-rooin, neccKsary, loft over for storage of benches,
etc., and a partially-excavated basement for a stove or
funiaco. A ventilator is proposed to bo constructed on
the ridge of the roof cominunlentlng witli the school-room :
tho it!cifation-pooiu would bo ventilated by a spare flue
nlongHidc of tho fiirnaoo smokc-fluo. Such a building
ought to bo constructed of brick or rough stone, for It
seems a pity to oroct a school-houso of wood, particularly
In a country where whittling ia almost an instltiltion; still,
tho design could easily bo constructed of wood, if it were
considered advisable. A sehool-hou^ of this sort coidd
be erected from .$500 upward, according to size and finish
reqoired.
in after ycare, would of-
fer a welcome shade, and
give an air of domestic
comfort and liberal vital-
ity to the wlioliD effect.
A similar result, through
precisely, similar means,
would probably, in course
of time, bo arrived at
in the small cottages in
its vicinity; and, as suc-
cess would be cheap an4
invariable, the example
would have a fair chance
of being followed. SmH
a simjilc, unpretending
stylo of building as-Us
sketched in our first i.1-
lustration, admits of ^h^-
less variety of design, and
is surely within the reach
of any civilized com'mu-
nity.
Our subject having thus led us to the con-
sideration of school-houses, it may be Avorth
while to add a fcAv words as to the schools
themselves. True and intelligent republican-
ism clearly points to a state of society in which
the private possession of great pecuniary wealth
ought to be a comparatively unimportant mat-
ter, because it should yield to its possessor but
little more real comfort, or even luxuiy, than
can be readily acquired by every indoistrious
man. . Complete protection frotn the weather in
healthy, well-ventilated, tomfortably-appoihted,
and tastefidly-an-anged apparlments, good food,
scientific cookery, and an ample supply of arti-
ficial light, appropriate clothing, pretty furni-
ture and dmpcries, delightful books, engravings,
and works of art, may all be obtained at little
cost, by a skillful combination of liberal econ-
omy and wise management. Ignorance, not
poverty, is the barrier to be sunnoinited; and
the richest man in the world can scarcely re-
alize more than this, though he may, of course,
carry out the idea on a more magnificent scale.
But even here, his advantage need not be really
worth mentioning; for public baths, gj'inna-
siuins, theatres, music-halls, libraries, lecture-
rooms, ])arks, gardens, picture-galleries, muse-
ums, schools, and every tiling that is needed for
the liberal education of an intelligent freeman's
children, can easily bo obtained by the genuine
• No. IL is intended to show a elraplo method of obtahi-
ing, ia a new clearing, a comparatively comfortable and
somewhat bome-likd fami-
ly residence, ^vilhout mudi
.trouble or expense. This
LIVINa ROOM design docs not illuqtroto
10X80 (i log-cabin, or single room
In which a; fa.inlly of men,
MO. U.—LOG-nOCSE.*
republican, if he will only take the trouble to
want thetn. All, and more than all these sources
of gratification, lie folded up in his industrious
palm. He may either clench his fist, and fight
his way through the world 'without allowing the
treasure he holds to see the light, or sell it to
his brother for a mess of pottage, on the old
aristocratic plan; or he may keep his birth-right
himself, and cultivate it, as natttre intended he
should, for his own and the public enjoyment.
A correct general choice in this matter must bo
the work of years, and can only result from o
refirieraent in popular education that will urge
the unspoiled, pliable young minds of the rising
generation to the study of the beautiful, as well
as to the acquirements of reading, Avriting, and
arithmetic. The leading principles of good
taste shoiUd go hand in hand with the multi-
plication table, and every common-school class
should have its artistic as well as its literarj- and
oratorical book of selections from the best au-
thors, for every-day public reading.
One especial disadvantage that rural art la-
bors under in America, is that the plans of
country towns and villages are so formal arid
unpictuiesque; they generally consist of square
blocks of houses, each facing the other with
conventional regularity; and this-arrangement
is so discordant with the varied outlines char-
acterizing American scenery, that Dame Nature
refuses, at the outset, to have any thing ^o do
tlirough a door nndor a veranda porch in the summer,
and to be approached through a small wash-room Itt tlic
side in the winter; the veranda being then used for stor-
ing a supply of \rood under cover. In the wash-room is
a flight of ladder-steps leading to the loft; the family-
room has two windows In it, and Is connected with two
small bodrooms and a store-room, each supplied with ono
window; tills completes the accommodation. Tlie house

E
women, and children, eat,
diink, sleep, vash, dress,
and undress, all together.
It in a plan for a veiy sim-
ple house for a well-to-do
settler and his family. The principal apartment, JCx20,
is proposed to communicate at once irith tho open air
is proposed to be erected in tho ordinary manner.
It is flic common practice to cut down all the trees near
the site of a log-caliin. Cut this custom is far more hon-
ored in the breach than in the obsenanco, and a lit-
tlo judicious forethought will certainly presene a few
fine spechnens around tho houso for shade and enjoy-
ment. '
 ble than the cold^
con'ect, and un-
sympathetic gen-
tleman,who never
does harm to any,
one, and whose
equanimity is not
often disturbed.
We want far less
formality and rc-
straiirt.in the de-
signs of our new
villages, and the
roads siiould wind
in graceful, easy
curves, being laid
out in accordance
with the forma-
tion of the ground
and the natural
features of inter-
NO. III.—SIMPLE SUinTBUAM COTTAGE, est. A single ex-
isting tree ought often to be the all-sufficient
with them; and they never seem nfteiward to
reason for slightly diverting the line of a
get any better acquainted with her. There is
road, so as to take advantage of its shade, in-
no advantage gained, except perhaps in a very
stead of cutting it down and grubbing up its
large city, by this intense monotony of arrange-
roots.
ment; and it is much to be regretted that in
tbe many new villages springing up the same In a case that recently occurred near a conn-
dull, uninteresting method is still predominant. try town iat some distance from Uew York, a
The great charm in the forms of natural land- road was ran through a very beautiful, estate,
scape lies in its well-balanced irregularit}'. This one agreeable feature of which was a pretty,
is also the secret of success in every picturesque though small pond, that, even in the driest sea-
village, and in every picturesque garden, coun- sons, was always full of water, and would have
try house, or cottage. Human nature, when al- formed an ngi'ecable adjunct to a country seat.
lowed a free, Jicalthy scope, loves heartily this A single straight pencil line on the plan, doubt-
well-balanced irregularity, and longs for it in less, marked out the direction of tho road, rind
life, in character, and ia almost every thing. as this line happened to go straight througli the
It is tho possession of this same quality, even pond, straight through the pond was the road,
when tlie balance is incompletely kept, that accordingly, carried; the owner of the estate
makes the stirring, unconventional, free-spirit- personally superintending tho operation, aud
ed man so much more interesting and agreea- thus spoiling his sheet of water, diminishing tho
value of his lands, and increasing expense by
* No. i n . illustrates a design for a cottage of wood, the cost of filling in, without any advantage
filled in, to lie built on a 25 feet lot by Mr. Ryan, pliimh-
cr, of Newburgh. It is estima- whatever; for a winding road, so laid out as to
ted to cost $1500, exclusive of skirt the pond, Avould h.ave been fur more at-
painting and mantles. It bus tractive and agreeable than the harsh, straight
no rooms in tlic basement,which line that is now scored, like a railway-track,
is occupied as cellar. A par-
lor, a small living-room, and a clear through the undidating surface of the
kitchen, occupy tho principal property. Such barbarisms are of constant oc-
tloor; tlie kitchen being ap- cun-cnce.
proached through a small back
porch, which will contain tho Points of Uiis nature deser\'e the utmost at-
sink. Tho chamber floor sup- tention, instead of the reckless disregard that
plies two good-sized bedrooms, they generally meet with. When once a road
and two smaller rooms, ono of is laid out its fate is settled, and no alteration
which may bo fitted up as &
bath-room. The gable intro-
is likely to be made. -It is, therefore, the more
duced at the side is for the pur- desirable that its direction shoidd be well stud-
pose of getting proper headway ied in the first instance.
to tho attic staircase. Two good In any design for a building that is intend-
rooms could bo finished off un-
der tlio rooi^ at any time, but ed to be used by an intelligent human being,
this is not at present proposed. the general distribution and detailed arrange-
PLAN OF PWUCiPAun-Ooa. The chimney is kept awoy iVom ment of the accommodation to be furnished,
tlie outer walls. The iiouso having a front of 20 feet it or what is called tho plan, is the first point
allows of two feet for projection of roof on one bidu of the
lot, and of a passage-way of three feet on the other side.
that should occupy our attention; for the most
Another entrance could easily be arranged, if thought simple idea admits of a good or bad arrange-
worth while, fVom the three feet passage-way, but it would ment.
scarcely ho noccssory. Let us take, for example, a house tlmt is to
 the miniuium of
draft occurs in
the room when
ujtbe dporis opcn-
; qd. . The chini-
noy is built jin the
bbdyoiPthiaiiduse,
so that as much
beat as .pbssible
is saved. ,;:;A few
feetof boaripiir-
' tition, set at the
back of the chim-
ney, supplies a
somewhat private
recess for a bed,
and also an en-
trance-lobby with
room for the sink.
NO. IV.—SMALL SUUUItUAH UOUBE.* —.The principal
room and both recesses may communicate, by
consist of but one room; in Plan A, the door
means of tin pipes through the ceiling, with
0])ens immediately op])osite tho fire-place; a
an air-fltio earned up alongside the smoke-
cold draft is, therefore, likely
flue, thus thoroughly ventilating tho whole
to be constantly traversing
building. The two closets are placed at the
.: . ,_ the whole length of the floor
other end of the room, so that a window-seat,
|v,>i } of the apartment, from the which may also be a locker to contain a supjdy
Xm^i^t^mmJi^mX ^oor to the firc; and as the of coal, can be an-anged between them, thus
A chimney is jilaced in the out- rendering the interior appearance of the room
er wall, a great deal of heat will be lost; more- more agreeable; and a strip of curtain, or, if
over, the bed (C) and the sink (S) are entirely thought worth while, a light door, hung on each
exposed to view, and thus privacy and cleanli- side of the chimney-breast, will give privacy and
ness are scarcely possible. Now, a man may, an air of snugness to tho whole arrangement.
with comfort and decency, make his kitchen his Now this plan, in execution, would cost peiiiaps
living-room; but he will find it disagreeable if he ten dollars more than the other; and, taking
has, in addition, to use it as a bedroom and sink- the interest of this amount at 10 per cent., the
room. It is, therefore, desirable to improve difference in cash to the occupier would be one
on this plan; the dingiam B dollar a year, while the difference in comfort, to
shows a different, and in every any one with the slightest taste for that bless-
way more sensible and conven- ing, wotdd be incalculable—the one residence
ient arrangement of the same being inconvenient aud vulgar, while the other,
space. Here, the door and so far as it goes, is commodious and compara-
chinnicy are so ])laccd with tively elegant.
reference to each other, that
" No. lY. Is a design made for tho Itev. E. J. O'lteil- This sketch of a plan is introduced merely
ly, of Newbiirgh. It seeks to supply tbe arcomuiodation for the purpose of illustrating the difference
of an ordinary suburliun between an ill-considered and well-considered
thrce-stoiy brick house mode of working out, on a very small scale, the
in a foi-m that shall simplest possible idea of a decent human hab-
have a less high-shoul-
dered and stilted appeai-- itation. But the principles involved in its ar-
anco than usually dis- rangement apply with equal force through the
tinguishes this class of whole range of domestic architecture.
buildings. The plan is
, Biinplc. A recessed lob-
The first thing that is needed is a kitchen ; the
by is arranged for shel- second, an inclosed lobby; a separate bedroom
ter instead of a project- is the next step for comfort; and we then ad-
ing porch; Tho front vance to a plan that provides a living-room sepa-
of the house is paneled rate from the kitchen, a hall with a staircase in
in brick—the panels be-
ing painted of a darker it, and .bedrooms up stairs. A house with this
tint, BO as to relieve the amount of accommodation shoidd have a veran-
effect somewhat. Tlic da attached to it. A separate staircase-hall and
roof supplies two good a second living-room should be the next addi-
attio bedrooms and two
garrets lighted by small tion ; and we may then proceed upward in the
windows close under the scale to any extent that is required, adding seji-
coves. The chimney is arato rooms for special purposes, a servants' stair-
PLAN OF
ill the main body of the case, bath-rooms, and so on.
PRINCIPAL FLOOlU house. The cai-penter's
and mason's contracts But before leaving this part of the subject, it
for this house, which is built of biick, were fCWO. seems desirable to say a few words as to the
 deal of enjoyment of rural life that might
otheiwise be realized, and requires to be
looked into and criticised. All that ap-
pears to be necessary for real comfort m
a villa or cottage residence, exclusive of
the bedrooms and offices, is a parlor of
tolerable size, which shall be the general
liring-room of the family, and another
apartment, contiguous to or connecting
with it, to be used as a breakfast and din-
ing-room. If a third large room, to be
called- either librarj' or drawing-room, is
required, the; whole scale of the house is
proper scope for the plans of country houses bf- materially enlarged and its cost niuch increased.
moderate size. Ithaslieeu, and is, too much the:custom, both in
By far too raony of the villas that are built
are extensive and costly, and manj^ persons in
easy circumstances arc deterred from building a
house in the countiy because they are impressed
with the idea that they must erect a large house
or none nt all. This feeling prevents a great
* No. V. Is a study for a fann- house intended to be built
o( brick or stone. The aim here has been to design a

NO. YL—botniLE nouBS.t

and a staircase to an e.^tensive open garret The kitchen

PRINCIPAL FLOOR PLAN. CHAMBER P L A N .
building which slinll bo domestic and simple, and yet not
iinsultcd, in artistic effect, to take Its ]>lnre in u rural land-
scape. One disngrceablo peculiarity that is often notice-
able In American farm-houses is, thatUicy are too full of
windows, and have, in consequence, an tmdignificd, mean
effect. Breadth of compass has been sought for in tliis
study, and no more windows liavo been introduced than
entire convenience requires, tho plan being ai-ranged ac-
cordingly. Tims, though there are four oponings under
tho front Tcranda, only two nre inserted in the noxt eiory;
for if two more ^vindows were added on the chamber floor,
the whole ef&ct of repoao would bo destroyed, without any
advantage being giuned in interior comfort. The accom-
modation in tho main part of the house coiiBlsts of a hail,
iriih stnircaBe in it; a parlor, communicating with a gen-
eral living-room; and a bedi-ooro, connecting with this
apartment and the kitchen wing. It is not thought neces-
sary to provide a sejiarate passage to the kitchen from the
front door, and it is calculated tlmt tho family room will
be used ns a dining-room. It is tlic custom with some
fanners to inako a constant practice of taking all meals in
the kitchen; but this habit marks a low seulo of civiliza-
tion. The occupation of fiirming is tho natural employ-
ment of a human being, and it ought to be made a refined
and noble pursuit, not a mere way of earning a rude sub-
histence. It is among tho sons and daughters of the fiirm-
cre that the pith and marrow of a country arc to bo found ;
and every groco that belongs to' rural lift! should find its
highest example in tho home ond family of the intelligent
Aineiican farmer. The wing building in the design under
consideration contains a side entrance, with veranda porch,
Rorcral pantries, a roomy kitchen, a wash-rooin, and a
wood-house. The chamber-plan in the main building con-
tains thrco largo and two small bedrooms, a linen-press,
wing contains four secondary bedrooms, approached by a
flight of stairs in tlic wood-house, and accessible also from
tho main building through one of the bedrooms, as it is
not thought worth whllo in n fanu>houso to sncriflco the
space that would bo rcriuircd for a separate communicating
passage between the upper hall in the main house and
the wing-rooms. Such a farm-house as this could he built
for fi-om .l-OOOO to $5000, according to locality, fncillty of
execution, cost of material, and amount of fiaisli bestowed
upon iU
t Ko. VT. is a view of a double cottage proposed to be
erected on a fifty-feet lot. Ko advantage whatever results
from building t^o small detached cottages with the same
amount of accommodation on two twenty-five feet lots.
By building them back to back, ono wall is saved, and
both houses nre rendered much drier and Avanncr. The
roof is simpler, and offers better attic rooms. The pns-
sage-ways at the side of each bouse arc wider, and tlie
whole effect ib more dignified and ngrceable. The phma
! I
f".'
» IreOR* , , DCO ^-
j tilili.lia. 3 1 7 7
nrs ntsH, ,
rtx-t
•If
CHAMBERS
ore so drawn in tlie illustration that the entire aceomnio
dation is set forth—the principal and ohambcrfloorbefap
of ono lioiiEo, and tho attic and basement of the otheir.
This will bo easily understood on examination, Tlie side
entrance, which would also bo tbe servants' entrance, is
so arranged that no spaco would bo occupied by outside
steps. This block of two residences might be built for
^5000, «-itli a biiupie intci-ual finish.
town and coun-
try houses, to
consider the di-
ning-room as a
portion of the
liouse that is to
be used solely
for eating and
drinking ptir-
poses, and for
that reason to
give it hut lit-
> tie attention.
It is, indeed,
quite common
to find, even in
comparatively
large houses, a
meagrely - fur-
nished apart-
ment in the
basement set
u])art as tho n o . Vll.—^MODEL COTTAGE.*

scene of whatever daily festivity is carried on we proceed to the artistic design of rural build-
in the house. If a country residence is built ings, and partictdarly of their exteriors. We
on sloping ground, so that the basement rooms must be careful, nt the outset, not to bo deceived
on one front are entirely unobstructed, and as to the real principles and laws tliat regtdatc
are supplied with windows overlooking the * No. VII. is a design intended to show au economical
garden, this objection is not so strong; bat plan for a country rdddeneo for a small family. An en -
even then, the trouble of going up and down trance porch communicates
stairs to and from the sitting-room is annoy- with a small hall in which
ing, and it is far preferable to have both rooms arc cloak closets. A parlor
connected with a dining-
near together on the principal floor. But when, room, hotlk of which open
as is generally the case, the honso is built on upon a wido veranda, Is
level ground, and the lower rooms arc lighted all tho accommodation for
solely by area windows, nothing can lie inoro tho family provided on this
floor. Tho parlor Ims a
entirely opposed to the idea of freedom that is lai-go bay projection, with
suggested by life in the countiy, than a base- scats around it; and the
ment dining-room. I t is in this apartmentr that dining-room is fitted up with a bookcase between the win
the different members of the family arc sure to dows. A side-board recess at the end of the room con-
nects with a roomy pantry, in which is a lift (C), a sink (S).
assemble several times a day, though they may a china closet, a row of shelves, and a hanging table. Tito
be almost completely separated at other times dining-room also communicates with a garden entrance
by circumstances or tho various pursuits that lobby, fitted up with a wasli-stand, and connecting ^vith a
occupy their attention; and it is highly desira- water-closet The staircase
hall is shut off from the
ble that such a room should freely and cheerful- main hall; and the base-
ly express its purjiose, and bo one of tbe most ment staircase, opening on
agreeable in the house, so as to heighten the to the pantry, is p.irtitione<I
value of this constant and fiimiliur re-union as off from the principal stair-
case. The chamber plan
much as possible, and to encourage, in every provides a family bedroom,
way, by external influences, a spirit of refine- CIIAMBCR
with dressing-room, laigw
ment and liberal hospitality. The fact is, that PLAN closets, and bath-room at-
the art of eating and drinking wisely and well a small bedroom that can be entereditalsotached; conncctswitli
from tlic liall. A
is so important to our social happiness, that it water-closet is provided
deserves to be developed under somewhat more cltisQ to the bath-room,
favorable circumstances than are possible in a and another J)edroom,
basement dining-room. There is no necessity, with a linen room, under
tho roof of pantry build-
in any country house, that such a room should ing, completes tho ac-
be restricted in its use to one purpose; if fitted commodation on this
up with bookcases and enlivened by engravings, fioor. In the atticaretwo
it will be constantly used as a family-room, for good bedrooms, a store-
closet and a large garret
witfi proper pantry arrangements it can be very The basement plan explains itself
soon cleared uji and left free after each meal. —cellarage being obtained by ex-
Plan No. V I I . illustrates a study, specially de- cavating nnder the veranda. Such
signed to illustrate these remarks. a house as this could be built near
New York, ready for occupation,
Jiaving thus briefly remarked on the plan or for .$5000, with a Biinide internal
convenient arrangement of the accommodation. finish.
 sprung up, expressed by
such words ns Crecian,
JioiiKtn, Gothic, or Ilituloo,
belong to the bistoiy, not
tho art, of architecture.
T h e sclf-snmc geometry
shows itself transparent-
ly in all styles, fashions,
and orders; tiie prismat-
ic colors are permanent
facts, and human nature
is, to-day, what it always
was, and always will be,
till man ceases to exist
as man. There is, there-
fore, open to us, if we
choose to adopt it, one
broad, natural, open-air
standard of criticism, be-
MO. VEIL—STOUT AND A HALF COTTAGE.*
longing to nil architect-
this important part of the subject. Architect- ural works, irrespective of stjde or fashion; and
ure is entirely the invention of man, and ns it as this standard is simple and intelligible, it is
expresses his needs and his nature, it mnst ne- to be prefeiTed to any narrow sectional rules,
cessarily be rcgiUated by the laws to which he dependent on the laws of this style, or the reg-
is subject; at the same time, it is equally clear ulations of that order, or the requirements of
that it can have no indejiendent laws of its OAvn, some special professor. W c may each, if Ave
simply because it has no independent existence. choose to take the trouble, go to the fountnin-
As it seeks to please the eye, its forms and col- head and decide for ourselves.
ors should be carefully designed in accordance The points of climate and atmosphere require,
with the laws of the eye, or it trill be a failure as in all countries, careful local analysis before the
far as that organ is concerned. As it address- interior arrangement of any habitation can be
es itself to the intellect, it ought to be orderly successfully adapted to its purpose as a healthy,
and without any appearance of accident in its convenient residence; and they certainly require
conception, or it
will appear un-
iiitcllcctual. As
ft appeals to the
heart, itrequircs
to bo forcibly
and arti.stically
true in its ex-
pression, or it
Mill remain a
lifeless collec-
tion of mere
building mate-
riiils. And ns
it riiinistcrs to
tlic soul, it must
be beautiful and
pnre in its in-
tention, or it KO. IX.—^mBEGm.AE WOODEN VILLA, WITH ATTIC8.t

will be ugly and bancfid in its influence. I t is
always the mirror of its age, accurately reflect-
ing the customs, morals, and science that pre-
vail in any nation at a given period; and as
these have been dissimilar in different times
and places, architecture has naturally crystal-
ized, in yarious parts of the world, into what
we call separate styles. Still we must never for-
get that the elaborate divisions that have thus
• Na VIII. is n design for the cottage residence of Ur.
Do la Montsgnie, of Fishkill Landing. It is on the s.tme
general principle, ns far as regards accommodation, as the
last study; but tlio hall is much larger, and the whole coin-
IMiaition is more irregular and picturesriue. The chamber
Htory is partly in the roof, so that there arc no attic rooms.
no less study, though in another way, if its ex-
ternal appearance is to be judicious and taste-
ful ; in the plan, indeed, each sense in turn has
to be duly considered;' while in its artistic ef-
fect but one is appealed to. Yet this one is the
most important of all, for the light of the body
is the eye; and it is to the eye, with tlie infinite
host of progressive ideas to which it acts as the
mysterious portal, that the design of every build-
It is built orwood, tilled in. and tho carpenter's and ma-
son's contract was taken nt $2900.
t No. IX. shows a view of a villa residence. Just com-
pleted by Mr. W. II. Chamberlain, of Worcester, llassa-
chusetts, in a very favorable Eituation on the outskirts of
a ticautifiil wood.
ing has the oppor-
tunity of artisticaU
ly ministei'ing.
Throughout the
whole of nature we
perceive a- strong
love for balance—
every appearance
of rejiose depend-
ing cntirel}' on an
equilibrium of an-
tagonistic forces;
and as this state of
sensitive balance is
the only condition f'
of true life and joy
in any exercise of
the human facul-
ties, the eye par-
takes of the uni-
versal desire, and XO. X.—PICTDBBSQVE SYldMETBlGAL COTTAGE.*

earnestly seeks for it in all examples of form pure, dry air is so transparent that it pennits a
and color, including light and shade in all their distinctness of outline to objects, even at a con-
varieties. AVe may, ])crhaps, as far as architect- siderable distance from the eye. This habitual
ure is concerned, call this balance PropoHion, freedom from moisture is not confined to any
in the case of form, and Harmony, in that of season of the year. We have, undoubtedly,
color. Still it is not sufficient that the various misty, and even foggj' days, and these occur not
]>nrts of a building should be in proportion to unfrequently in the transition between winter
each other, or that it should be, as a whole, and spring; but for the greater part of the sum-
hiuTOonious in'its actual coloring. It mnst also mer, and during the autumn and cold months,
possess these qualities when considered with ref- the bright sun shines out, week after week, with
erence to climate, scenery, and surrounding ob- little intermission.
jects. <: One peculiarity of the American cli- In Italy or the East tho air also allo\ys remote
mate is an absence of humidity in the atmos- objects to be very clearly seen; but it is, nt the
liherc; the weather is genci-ally clear, and the same time, so suffused with an attenuated, al-
* Ko. X. illnstratcs a cottage residence built for Mr. as It prevents the ingress of a draught of cold air whenever
Alexander Wright of Goshen. It was required that tho tho front door is opened, and offers a protection to visitors
from storm while waiting for the servant to attend to the
bcU. The parlor and dining-room open ftom the hall by
doors opposite each other. The parlor lias a bay window,
and a door opening upon a small private veranda that is
not overlooked by any one approaching the house. It is
undesirable that any dining-room, and more particularly
one tliat is used as an ordinary living-room, should be di-
rectly connected with tlic kitchen, for various evident rea-
sons; and it is cqu.illy inconvenient toliave the halls and
passages tlmt belong to tho other apartments occupied scv-
cnd limes a day by the servant, whose business it is to
])ivparo the table for meals and to clear away afterward.
In tlio present instanco tho difficulty has been overcome
by constructing a Ican-to, corresponding in design with
the private veranda on the other side of the house. This
is of wood, and at small cost odds much to tlio conven-
ience and sOinethiug to tho appearance of tho house. A
pautry betn-een tho kitchen and dining-room is thns ob-
tained, communicating with both, and thus convenience

KJ^ of access, without loss of privacy, is obtained. A store-

rooni for the kitchen is alito supplied, and a sink-room;
tite latter, having two small ^vindows on opposite sides, is
kitchen and its acccssaiics should bo on the same floor as well ventilated, and renders flio kitchen a much more
the living rooms; but tho house was not proposed to be pleasant apartment for servants to live in than it otherwise
of such a size as would warrant the erection of a separiite would bo, as it relieves it of the most disagreeable part of
wing for tliis purpose. The whole building is therefore the work. Tlio kitchen has a door close to tlie back en-
under one roof; and tho kitchen is so placed that its con- trance and the cellar stairs. The staircase hall is entered
tiguity to tho principal rooms does not interfere wltli tlie from the main hall, and opens upon a bedroom on tlie
privacy that jiroperly bdlongs to the apartments in con- principal floor. This room could be used as a library or
.stant n.sc by the family. A porch of brick, coraniunlcat- study, if preferred. The chamber plan contains four bed-
iiig by arched openings with verandas on each side of it, rooms and a small sewing-room over the hall; the attic
iVu-niB tl'.c principal entrance, and opens upon a hall. This contains two bedrooms and a large garret. Tliis house
poroh is so lurangcd that tho arched openings at the sides cost $4200 complete. On being applied to for information,
ran bo closi'd with glazed frnnics in winter, and the cen- the proprietor expresses himself satisfied with the arrauge-
tral opening is fitted with a frame and door; thus making ment and knows of no alteration tliut he would be willing
nil outer hall that is of great advantage in severe weather. to advise.
 somewhat trying
to the eye, it
seems desirable
to select arranpc-
nicnta of form
and color in ru-
ral architecture
that wiU.rather
relieve than in-
crease this fatigu-
ing effect.
It is a well-
known fact that
if a person look.t
steadfastly for
any length of
time at any de-
NO XI.—lEBECULAK VILLA, WITnOtTT ATTICS.* cidedly red sur-
most imperceptible, hazy medinm, that the di- face, the next object that occupies his attention
rect, glaring rays of the sun are subdued and will have in it a tinge of green, no matter Avhat
softened befoi-e tlicy meet tho eye, and a deli- its real color may be. Nature thns seeks to
cate gradation of perspective distance, with an restore the equilibrium, and the strained or-
agreeable variety of harmonious half tints, is the gan is somcwlmt refreshed. But it will nat-
natural result. In America this seldom occurs; urally be much better satisfied if the object
the supply of light is usually free from any mel- happens to be of a cool green tint; for the bal-
lowing vail. I t is, therefore, colorless or white, ance will then, at once, be rapidly and agiee-
and very decided in its pictorial character. A ably re-established. If we apply to form also
few Indian-summer daysinNovember give us, in- the optical lesson which we thus learn with re-
deed, exquisitely beautiful opportunities for the gard to color, it would seem that we ought to
stiidy of vaporous, dreamy effects; but these are avoid square, monotonous masses, and regular,
soon enjoyed and pass .away, leaving the ordi- unbroken extent of surface in American rural
nary, translucent, unclouded character of the architecture; because the climate rarely sup-
ntmosphere more apimrent th.tn ever. The plies the shifting, mellow light in which such
liglit in America being therefore powerful and siin])lc foi*ms a]>pear to advantage. The sky-
* Mo. XI. illustrates a design carried out by Mr. 1*. L. line of a building should undoubtedly be de-
Casa, of Newhiirgh. Tho plan is conipiict and its general teniiiiicd, in a great measure, by the scenerj' in
which it is to be located; and it may be either
subdued or picturesque, according to the cir-
cumstances of each case; hut the plan (which
regulates the general design of the mass) and
the details may, with advantage, be jiictui-csque
in almost everj- situation. In tliis climate the
eye will be more likely to take pleasure in a
rural composition that consists of a group of
forms well-connected and massed together into
one indivitlual whole, th.in in a study ch.iracter-
izcd by symmetrical tmiformity, however com-
plete it may be; for the former suggests, at the
veiy outset, a freedom from effort, and offers
the opportunity for a gradual examination, if
preferred; whereas the latter must be grasped
in all its completeness at once, and can only be
truly enjoyed as a whole, thus naturally involv-
PLAN OF PRINCIPAL FLOOR. ing a more decided and continuotis effort on the
idea may be available for many other situations with prop- park of the eye than is required in the other
er modifications. It consists of a small hall, entered from
ft veranda ])orch, and communicating with parlor, din- case. If the design is small, or on an econom-
ing-room, library, and staircase hall. The parlor and li- ical scale, it may be inconvenient to have any
bmry open npon a veranda, and the dining-room connects breaks in the plan of tho walls, but some degree
tlu^ugh a pantry with tlie kitdicn wing. There are five of picturesqueness can alwajTS be obtained by
bedroom!!, a bath-room, and a water-closet in the cham-
1M r plan of the main part of the house; and two bedrooms, the use of verandas, porches, or bay-windows.
a linen-closet and a sink in the secondfloorof the kitchen Tliesc features, if well-arranged, are very valu-
wtng. In the basement are cellars ond fiimace-room; in able in any case; for they help to-supply the
tho attic arc large store-room ond open garret but no bed- variety of light and shade which is so much
rooms. Tho carpenter's and mason's contract for thia
house wos taken nt $6000, and it was erected, with paint- needed. The introduction of circular projec-
ing, plumbing, gns-fitUng, furnace, and lightniug-rods, for tions, or verandas, circular-headed windows, and
$T530; this incladcd a large wooden outbuilding. of curved lines in the design of the roof, and in
 tic understood
in America; by
far the great--
er number of
houses being
simply painted
white, and fit-
ted with bright
green blinds.
By this means
each residence
is clearly pro-
jected from the
surrounding
landscape, and
-, instead of har-
! monizing with
it, asserts a
rigKt'itiJ^ carry
on a separate
business on its
own account.
This lack of
no. XII n C T L ' l t E S t J U E 8VMMETIUCAL VILLA.—FRONT ^ T E W . sympathy be-
the details generally, will always have an easy, twcen the building and its surroundings is-very
agreeable cflxsct, if well managed ; and cun'cd disagreeable to an artistic eye. A harsh, vulg.ir
outline may pass witliout particidar notice in a
^icw of rural scenery, if the muss is qiuct and
harmonious in color; while a veiy tolerable
composition m.ay injure, materially, the views
near it, if painted white; the human eye being
so constituted that it will be held in bondage
by this striking blot of crude light, and com-
liclled to give it unwilling attention. Where a
palace like that at Versailles is erected in the
midst of formal gardens and terraces on a very
large scale, and so m'ranged that it is the prin-
cipal feature from every point of riew, it is not
inappropriate that it should be of white marble,
since there is nothing more interesting for the
eye to rest on than the building, aud the light
roofs especially deserve to be introduced more and shade of the architectural decorations, to-
fretpiently than has hitherto been the practice gether with the general magnificence of the com-
here. A and B, stud-
ies made for gentlemen
in Worcester—C, a de-
sign for tbe residence
of Mr. F . J . Belts, of
Newburgh—and D, a
sketch of a tower and
wing added to the res-
idence of Mr. H. W.
Sargent, of Fishkill
Landing, may serve to
illustrate a few of their
varieties.
The question of col-
or is a most interest-
ing one in any design
for a country house,
and at present but lit- NO. X l l l . — T H E SAME.—REAE V I E W . '

'• Nos. XII. and XTII. show two vlcxs of a residence
lately built for >Ir. W. E. "Warren, of Newburgh. It is
••rected on tn"oimd that slopes very rapidly, and illustntes
one method of combating tho difficulty that necessarily
occurs in coni]iosttioiis of this sort. At the upiier level,
on which is the road running parallel with thefrontof tlie
house, the paints of view are as usual, and the design is
treated with gables accordingly; but from the road below,
such an arrangement would have had a distorted, stilted
look, and the roof was therefore lopjied off on that front
and the upper rooms lighted by dormer windows. The
effect of extra height Is thus somewhat reduced.
 individual build-
ings into prom-
inent notice, is
an evidence ei-
ther of a vulgar
desire for noto-
riety at any sac-
rifice, or of an ill-
educated eye and
taste.
As for the col-
ors of rural build-
ings, they should
be carefully vari-
ed—often cheer-
ful and light,
sometimes neu-
tral, seldom dark,
and never black
or white; and
there is no end to
ho. XIV.—suiirnuA^ HOUSE, WITH CUBVED BOOK.* the changes and
position are set forth to advantage. Pure white, combinations of tints that may he used in
even in large masses, is only disagreeable to the painting a house. The constant recurrence of
eye when it forces into prominent notice ob- about the same requirements will, of course, lead
jects of secondary importance. to much similarity in plan, particularly in small
In country
houses the de-
sign has to bo
ridapted to t,hc
location, and
not the loca-
tion to the de-
sign ; it is,
moreover, un-
desirable, and
generally im-
practicible, to
make tho nat-
ural snbscr^'i-
ont to the arti-
ficial. Woods,
fields, mount* MO. XV.—PICTUKESQITE COUDTBT nOUBB, OF IIBICK ASO 8T0NE.t
nins, and rivers
will be more important than the houses that are buildings; bnt tho monotony that this would
built among them, and every attempt to force occasion may he agreeably relieved by variety
in color, both in the interior and exterior. Dif-
* No. XIV. illustrates a design for a suburban residence ferent patterns of paper will make two rooms of
for a physician, and was erected of brick and brown stone
for Dr. C'lilbcrt of tho same proportions no longer look alike, and
Newburgh. The t No. XV. is a design prcpored for Mr. Slatthew Vas-
plan shows a parlor sur, of Pougldccciisie, and is ])roposcd to be erected at \\\A
and a library com- country place, called Springside, a little to the south of thu
municating with a city. The estate being full of easy sweeps and gentle un-
consultation room. dulations, and having fine trees scattcrod over its whole
This latter can be extent is somewhat secluded and park-like in its charac-
approached by a ter. The design was tliercforc made na picturesque and
passage at the domestic as seemed consistent with Its size, and was in-
side of tho house tended to be built of brick, with a free use of brown stone
through a small for tho angles, the copings, and tho window openings.
side lobby, with- Tho most harmonious arrangement of colors would be to
out going throagh use a soA,.raddish-colored brick, and a broivn stone of as
tho hall in use by gray a tint ns could l>o obtained. Thcro would tlius be a
the family. The sufficient variety of color to accord with the irregular out-
dining - room, in line, and therodwould have a rcfresliing effect in a situ-
accordance with ation so secluded and shclterod among tho green foliage.
instructions, was lieddiah brick, however, must not bo confounded with tlie
placed in the base-
ment. There are reddest brick, for there is a vast difference between the
PL^N OF PRINCIPAL FLOOR. fo„, bedrooms and two. The roofs are intended to be covered with graenish-
groy slates; the eaves, verandas, ond other outside wood-
a bath-room up-stalrs, and several bedrooms in the attic. work to be pointed of a worm oak color.
 should be a])-
plifd to the
solid jiarts of
the Venetian
blinds, while
the movable
slatsl should be
painted of the
fourth tint.—
This last tint
should be by
far the dark-
est used on the
premises, for
the effect of
SS^ a glass window
or opening in a
wallisuniver-;-
ally dark when
viewed from a
NO. XVI.—^VILLA, WITH TO'.VUB AND ATTICS.*
distance, and if
ihe same result will bo obtained on the exterior this natural fact is not remcmliercd, the shuttci-.-<
by adopting difl'crcnt tints for the color of the being painted the same color as the rest of the
walls and wood-work. Another important house, a blank, uninteresting effect Avill be pro-
point to bo considered is, that it is entirely in- duced; for when the blinds arc closed (which is
sufficient to use only ono or two shades of generally the case), the house, except to a per-
color for each house; every ninil bnilding re- son very near to it, will apjicar to be without any
quires four tints to make it a plea.sant object in windows at all. This error is often fallen into,
the way of color. This variety costs no more than and requires to bo carefully guarded against.
monotonous repetition, and adds much to the It is, however, a Tery simple and easy mat-
completeness of
the effect. The
principal walls,
shonld bo ofi " - v
some agreeable'
shade of color;
the roof-trim- _ ^ . ; W T ^-
iniiigd, veran-
das, and other
wood-work be-
ing eitlicr of a
different color
or a different
shndo of tho
same color, so ^
that a contrast,
but not a harsh
one, may be es-
tablished. The
third tint, not r.
Avidcly different
from the oth-
er wood-work, KO; XV1L—VII-LA W l T n TOWEB, AND W I T n o n T ATTICB.t

* No. XVL belongs to. a gentleman in Worcester, and
is intended to bo erected on a favorable eituation at some
short distance from tliat thriving City. Its proprietor has
no intention of build ing this year; but, nnllkemanyofhis
countrymen, who never troublo themselves about tlicir
plans tilt a few weeks before breaking ground, he has
chosen to givo full time to tho consideration of the sul^ect
and to have liis drawings before him for e.\aminadon and
modification. It would be well if this practice were more
gonernlly followed. Much disappointment would be nt'oid-
od, if proprietors wanld study out designs for their houses
a year or so before starting with llie foundations.
t No. XVII. shows a view ofa nubiirban villa designed for
Mr. Fri'dirrick Dodge, of Gcoi-getown, 1). I!.; aud a varia-
atlon of tlie suiuo general idea wos excciittd at the tuuiie
time by Mr. B. P. Dodge, also in Georgetown. It was at
first intondcd tliat these houses should cost about $7000
or $8000 rach, and a residcnco of this sort could probably
bo carried ont.in a very simple manner for that sum. In
thiiso buildings, however, tlic work was done tlu-oughout
infirst-ratestyle, and the materials and finish were more
expensive than at first intended. On being applied to for
particulars of coat soino time after tlio work was completed
(tho work not having been superintended by tho archi-
tects), ono of tho proprifetors writes, " We find the cost
of our houses to bo much beyond what Mr. Downing led
us to expect—say about $lfi,000 each—ypt wo hiivo fiiui
houses, and very eoiiifortablo and satisfactory in every rt--
spoct. They aro much admired. Wu built tlicm in tho
very best lununcr, and of thu laist nuilcrials."
 conventional ab-
surdity, and in all
probability arriye
at a result that
will be artistic and
pleasing.
I t is highly sat-
isfactory that, in
this matter of col-
or, which is so im-
portant to rural art,
there is constant
opportunity for im-
provement. - The
necessity for paint-
ing every two or
three years fortu-
nately compels the
question to remain
always an open
NO. X V m . — 0 L » IIOUSB Af.TEIlEO.*
one. Ill-planned
tcr thus, in a few words, to lay down common- roads and ugly lionses nre troublesome to alter,
sense rules that may be advantageously follow- but an improved taste may readily satisfy its
ed in painting all country houses, but it is a craving for harmonious color, which will give,
very different affair to overcome the difHcnlties in every instance, a most liberal rctuni for what-
of ignorance and prejudice. I n some cases the ever outlay of thought or money may be judi-
house-painters themselves show a laudable de- ciously bestowed on it.
sire to escape from monotonous repetition, but,
on the other hand, they are at times trouble-
some opponents to a reform in this matter. It
is, indeed, .scarcely surprising th.it a mechanic,
who has been brought up on a chalk-wliito niiil
spinach-green diet ever sinec he was old enough
to handlo a brush, slioiild have little taste for
ili'liciite viui.'iliniis of ••(dor, hccmiso a pcrpetiiul
• •oiilciii|)laliMii of wliltc-Iciid iiiul vcrdigri.s i.i a d -
riiliitcd to have Uie suiiic eflei t on the eye that NO. X I X . — T H E BA.MH n E r o n B ALTE1LA.T10.N.*
iiioessaiit tobacco-chewing has on the palate ; in
<;ach case the organ is rendered incapable of There nre so many different circiim.'itnnces
nice appreciation. Any person who may wish that affect the arrangement of actual designs for
to have his residence judiciously painted, will country houses, that it would be useless for any
do well to depend on himself to make the selec- architect to publish plans with the idea that
tion of colors; and if he will but study the ques- they coidd be completely followed, in all their
tion simpl)' and fairly, trusting to his real, nat- details, on any other site than the one for which
ural, instinctive taste, and regulating his de- they were specially designed. But this is not
cision by his private feeling for what is agree- at all the object proposed to be gained by sub-
able or otherwise, instead of by what he finds mitting to general inspection the illustrations
next door to him, he will at onco cut loose from that accompany this article; the principles they

* No. XVIII. There are to lie found all over the country
solid, substantial, well-built tolerably conifortidile, and
decidedly ugly old wooden coimtry housoss which arc too
good to pull down, and too far behind the agc>, as far as
taste is concurnod, to bo contemplated by tho rising gen-
<;nition with any thing liko B.iti.sfactioii. It is of couitio
inipo.ssilde to make au ill-dcstgiicd old house equal in
i-oinfort or boiiiity to ii wc-ll-dosignrd new ono, but Koniii-
thing may bo done to roniprouiisc inattci's. This di'sign
shows the irsldciiro of .Mr. Thomas Powell, of N'owburgli.
It was originally an old-fashioui'd iKuncstcud ; but sonio
yc.irs ago an addition V.'HS made, and this not being sutli-
ciently studii'd at the time, was an eyesore. The chim-
neys, moreover, being below the other lionse, smoked in-
c*>ssantly, nnd it became necessary to do something to
luako the building habitable. Two extra rooms were also
needed. In this rase a projection was made in front ns
lihown, of the width of tbe vemnda, to increase the size of
the parlor, and add a drcH^iing-room to tho bedroom iiliove
—the old wall and floor being slung on inm giispcniiion
rods. A projection at tho buck gave the two additional
rooms rcqnired. A slice irns taken off from the top of the
stiff old roof and a flat formed, so OR to bring down the sky-
line of the composition altogether, which was very neces-
sary, as the house stands on the top of a high hill. Two
of the cldmncys were corbeled over, securnd with iron
tics, nnd grouped into one double stack. Tlie roof of the
lulditioii was then remodeled, and the smoky chimney
carried up to tho sanie level iw the others. The roof was
projected all round, and bracketed. Tho verandas were
improved a_Ilttle, and the addition of a plant cabinet and
ventilating turret completed the work. The family wore
not prevented from occupying tlie house during the pro-
gress of tho altcmtion, and the composition now seems
much more extensive than it was originally, not from tho
addItion.il occommodation provided, which Is trifling, bnt
from the alteration in tho arrangement of tho roofs. The
hou!io is painted and sanded in very quiet, neutral shades,
and thus all striking appearunco of alteration or addition
was at once avoided.
t No. XI3^. is a view of the resldcnco of Mr. Powell pre-
vious to tlie alterations above described.
involve, nnd the
individual pe-
culiarities they
pas.sess, can be
combined, mod-
ified, .and im-
proved in many
different ways.
They are merely
useful as hints
and suggestions.
It may be
worth while, in
conclusion, to
add a few plain
words on the
subject of ex-
penditure. It is
not unfrequent-
ly said that arch-
itects' designs
cost in execu-
tion more mon- Wa XX—^lEEEGULAB OOTTHTRY UOUSE, WITU WISQ."
ey than their
employers are
led, in the first
instance, to be-
lieve will be
tiecessary; but
such assertions
are for tho most
part ill-ground-
ed, and arise
from there be-
ing here, ns well
as elsewhere, a
class of employ-
ers who profess
to want much
less than they
really require,
and who posi-
tively assert that
they need about no. XXI.—IBBEfifLAB COtmTBT IIOCBE. WITHOUT WWG.t

* No. XX. shows

tt de.sign lunde for
Mr. Nathan Itccve,
of Kewbui-gb.
t No. XXI. shows
a villa on a liberal
scale proposed to be
erected by Mr. E.
S. Ilall on a beau-
tiful site at Middle-
town, Connecticut.
The grounds are
now being careful-
ly laid out prepar-
atory to the cfiiu-
menccment of tho
work. This hoiiBC
will be built of
brick, and wilt cost
about $10,000, fin-
ished in a simplp,
appropriate man-
ner. The plan op-
posite shows the ar-
rangement of tlin
rooms on the prin-
cipal floor. PLAN OF PRINCIPAL FLOOR
 NO. XXII.—PierUBESQUE MANSION, OK A LABGE SCALE.
half of what they nre determined to have. Such
men easily find a corresponding class of de-
signers, and, of course, are always disappointed,
as they deserve to b e ; but reasonable men, who
are jirepared to bring to the subject of spend-
ing their money the same good sense that has
enabled them to realize it, find no dilHculty in
arranging their outlay in accordance with their
wislies. For example, some of the houses just
described have been very completely finished,
and have cost not only more than was origin-
ally jiroposed, but much more than was neces-
sary to complete them in a simple rural man-
ner. In no cnsc was the additional expendi-
ture any source of dissatisfaction to the parties
interested. Such designs were carried out un-
der the immediate inspection of tlieir owners,
and the desire for finish and refinement in detail
increasing as the work proceeded, these gentle-
men were well satisfied to enlarge, by degrees,
their original intention as to cost. Some of the
jilans, on the other hand, have been executed
for the exact sums specified in the contract; in
* No. XXIT. shows a design for a much larger villa resi-
dence. The i»lan comprises a hall with fountain in the
conU'c, a corridor, which it was projiosed to uso as a pic-
ture gallery, o drawing-room, parlor, dining-room, library,
and morning room. A family bedroom, with droasing and
bath rooms, is also provided on this floor, and nmplu ac-
commodation is prepared for the servants' department.
PLAN OF PRINCIPAL FLOOft
these cases tho proprietor haring approved of
tho drawings and specifications has entirely
ceased to interfere in the matter,.except to pay
the contractors' instalments when they have be-
come dne from time to time; and it may be
stated, without any hesitation, that there are no
insurmountable barriers to cxactitudeof estimate
except loose instructions from the employer to
the architect, and indefinite arrangements be-
tween the employer and his mechanics, both of
which a proper amount of care at starting may
readily avofd.
The buildings in which the public are renlly
most interested are those that vary in cost from
.^v3000 to about .§15,000, and an incredible num-
ber of such houses must be erected in this pros-
jicrous country every year. In this article, our
drawings and plans are almost wholly confined
to dwellings of this class, reserA-ing more costly
designs and morc minute spcciffc.itions for an
extended work ujion Domestic Architecture,
which is now in the press, and will .soon be
published.
This resldcnco is larger than is ofren required in a conn-
tr>' like this, but is introduced KO that tho leading varia-
tions of Kcali! that arise in treating the su1)ji'Ct of C'juiitry
residences may be Rlightly hinted.at in our illustrations.
This design would cost about .$70,000. The gmitleniaii
for whom it r.-as prepared died suddenly, before carrying
out his plans.
 norancc may be of some use, for it will enable
OUR HOUSES. lis to write with a certain straightfonvard sim-

W E arc such a roving generation, ttnd wc plicity, withoitt the oracular omniscience so com-
put up nnd ]>nU down our building.s with mon among professional experts.
such S])ccd nnd nonchalance, that wc can hardly The first remark that wc make is at once so
understand the solemn importance that was of obvious, and yet so contrary to the too common
old ascribed to the family mansion, and which practice, that we make it with some difGdence.
coupled the altar wrh the hearth-stone as one of It is simply this: when yon build a house, re-
the two institutions to be mo.st tenderly cherish- member that it is not mainly to he looked at,
ed in peace and most sttu'dily defended in war. but to be lived in, and so build it that it may be
Of old it was no small matter, in the rudeness convenient and pleasant to live in. It is aston-
of tools, to erect the most modest little edifice, ishing what mistakes are constantly made by
and weary months were required to saw and j neglect of this obvious idea—a neglect far more
smooth the planks nnd boards that now are conspicuous w t h the rise of social ambition than
made ready by the steam giant at the master's in the days of primitive rudeness and limitation,
word. A great hottse or castle wa.s a fact for The firet Iiouscs that arc built in a new country
centuries to celebrate; and many a lowly cottage ; aro built to secure the needed shelter, in the
gave its romance to the fortunes of more than one cheapest and easiest way, and often the pioneer,
gonci-ntlon. IIow marvclons the contrast! Any | without knowing it, gives a wild grace to his
man who came to this city twenty-five years ago cabin in his simple wish to house his family,
will find it not ca.sy to remember many dwell- lie builds of logs a rectangular structure, and
ings standing than that ai'c standing now, and gives the roof just jiitch enough to shed the rain,
the few that may be fcinembcjred have, for the and lets the timbers project over the front to af-
most jiart, ccaseil to be rasidences, and have ford a friendly screen against the burning sum-
been made into offices or stores. iSomc of the mer heat, and leaves the wild vines and roses to
stateliest old man.sions have been abandoned to : adorn the whole wilh their ready wreaths and
iraffit;, and f.iinous dniwjng-rooms, from which arabesques. Many a time such a cabin sur-
wit .ind beauty dispensed their chary gems and prises the traveler by its rustic and unstudied
smiles, now keep o])cn counter to all that hunger beauty, in strange contrast with the tawdiy pal-
anl thirst. A half hour's walk through the new j ace of gingerbread work which the Incky grocer
sections of the city startles ns with its miles of of the adjoining village has reared with the help
risen and rising edifices that welcome or await of some enterprising carpenter, aided by the hints
now occnjiants within their sometimes precarious 1brought by the ambitious wife and daughters from
walls. When wc take our pencil and figure up j the tinsel villas of some mushroom city, with a
thi! doing.-) nf the nation at large in house-build- few touches of fancy misappropriated from some
in<T wc stand aghast at the result. The census manual of model house architecture. The log
allows six ]}ersons to each hnn.sc; nnd at this cabin is, in its way, a gem, while the huge can-
rate the twelve niilliuns of ]}Opnlation that we dle-box, with flat roof to save room, and num-
have gained in some twenty j'cars require two berless windows, ndonied with sawed pine nnd
millions of housas—a number which, at the most piazzas loaded with unmeaning omaiucnts, is n
modcnitc estimate of siisc, would be more than inonstixisity of brainless pretense.
cnongh to form a continuous block on both sides Sometimes architectural knowledge is ont-
of a stately avenue reaching from New York to ragcously misapplied nnd builders make fools of
San Francisco. Must of the new houses, of thcm-selves upon scientific principles, foolishly
course, must be very rude structures, such as a planning private dwellings as if they were tem-
squatter's shanty or a backwoodsman's log-cab- ples or churches. Take, for example, the mania
in ; yet, as the old .song hints, however homely, for Greek architecture which prevailed when
the house nviy be home, nnd wherever Gotl's ra- perhaps the most costly of our elder mansions,
tional creatures live the stnicture has a dignity especially in the country, were built. A Greek
that belongs to no mere warehouse of merchan- temple is a magnificent structure, in its way per-
dise or dose for sheep or cattle. fect. What can exceed the Parthenon in splen-
It will be well for us if our frequent building dor or the Erectheum in beanty? Yet these
makes us think more, instead of Icss^ of the art, buildings were not made to be lived in; nay,
and if they who have suixjrior taste and experi- they were not made to be nscd inside so much
ence try to give wholesome counsel upon the as outside; and the whole idea of the Greek
subject to adventurers less favored, yet not nn- temple shows that it was erected as a kind of
willing to bo taught. Wc claim no superior outdoor altar, to be tho central shrine of public
gifts, much less any architectural science, and sacrifices in presence of great multitudes gather-
write our rambling words all the moix! readily ed liefore and under its colonnades. What folly,
from our position among the great Imdy of the then, to borrow the plan of the temple, with its
Iicople who feel the iin[K)itance of tho subject, scenic outdoor aim, and apply it to a house that
and have just enough light to see where tho dif- is intended for inside occupation! What an
ficulties lie and where more light is needed. enormoits waste of time and material in those
Wc confess to having built a house, and we have enormous columns that load the fronts and dark-
many friends who, with various fortunes, hnvo en the windows of BO many costly houses!
done the same. In some rcsjiects our very ig- What utter nonsense in putting up such huge
Bup[>ort3 under a roof of joists and shingles, and sentimentalists who sconi all thoughts of utility,
holding u]> a pile of light pine boards as if it had shows, in every petal and leaf, the divine harmony
the weight of a mountain of marble I Somo- between the laws of truth and beauty, since ev-
titncs the colonnade goes round tho whole build- ery petal and leaf has a use as fixed as its own
ing, and the interior room is iin]ioverished to loveliness. God aboimds in ornament, but it
make W:\Y for this gigantic palisade. always means something; add this bountiful na-
The Greek mania has pretty much run out, ture, which is Ilis blessed work, i s not a heap
and the Gothic mania has taken, its place. Kow, of senseless finery thrown over mechanism of as
if a worthy citizen is bent u])on rearing a cot- heartless utility. The two elements combine
tage, or a hen-roost, his fancy soars away upon together, and the VC17 potato that feeds us docs
steep gables and spiring pinnacles. His very not swell its esculent root for our teeth without
barn seems meditating an approach to West- first hanging out the banner of its blessed Cre-
minster Abbey, and his house shows mournful ator in the fair blossom that is lovely sister of
souvenirs of Strasbourg Cathedral; for there is the rose and the lily. In all that we do, re-
no limit to tho daring of American ambition member the lesson, and especially in a matter
and the plastic ca)iacitics of stucco and pine so grave as a dwelling-place, do not slight the
boards. We have no quarrel, of course, Avith first principles of the divine economy.
pointed architecture, and when judiciously ap- The ornaments upon the house ought to mean
plied it may produce beautiful cflects without something, or to beautify some tnithful feature
sacrifice of utility. But one leading eiTor runs of the structure, or to give it better expression ;
through most of our Gothic houses—the error and nothing is so fatal to true beauty as unmean-
of overlooking the dominant idea of this whole ing ornament, which, instead of being the grace-
order. The Gothic, wholly unlike the Greek, ful curve of a free style, is but the senseless flour-
was originally intended for interior cfTects, and ish of an idle pen. The temptation to deal in
while its pointed gables had a spiritual elevation meretricious decoration, of course, rises in pro-
to the outside beholder, they were intended to se- portion to the cheapness of the material; and our
cure the lofty inlerior so essential in climates re- America, with its knack for sawing pine by hand
quiring protection from the cold, and for a re- and by steam, distances the Old World in the
ligion demanding shelter and quiet for its rites profusion of its florid devices. Many a mere
and mysteries. The Gothic gable has no mean- shanty, that rose from the ground in a week or
ing the moment you board it np within, and in- two, and cost about as few dollars as days' work,
stead of lifting the eye to the lofty ridge-pole, bears carvings daring (though not as significant)
with its timbered suiToundings, you run floors as the stones of Venice; and the village saw-mill
across its span so as at once to sjioil the view be- seems to shriek out a Satanic glee as it turns olT
low and waste the room above. Hence the folly the monstrous gingerbread devices that go to
of the ten tliousand villas and cottages that have adorn some ambitious villa of pine-boards. Not
of late sprung np throughout the land, that chal- only ngly in themselves, the ornaments are too
lenge, with their unmeaning gables and pinna- often preposterous in their origin; for the man
cles, an admiration which is less deserved than who can not aflbrd to build a house substantial
pity. The plain question, What is the use of enough to keep out the wind and rain, ought not
these things ? is the decisive one; for if they to waste a dollar in patching it over with poor
aro of no u.se they have no beauty, since beanty decorations. Cheap ornaments, at best, arc poor
is but the efflorescence of usefulness; and as in resorts, and the builder had far better improve
the human form, the truly beautiful is the har- the structure substantially than garnish it super-
monious play of worthy powers and .sensibilities, ficially. We can not blame a man for building
or the glow of physical and mental life. Let the a cheap house; but let him not make it ridicu-
house be just as much pointed as interior con- lous by i)assing it off for what it is not. We
venience or cxtcnial fitness require. If we need honor the sturdy workman who plies the ham-
the interior cftect of a high hall or chapel, then mer or the axe, and find no fault Avith his flannel
have ft jiointcd gable; bnt if wc want a common jacket and cowhide shoes; although, if he vriU
house with the most room in the best shajie, the jiersist in sewing yellow flannel npon the green
simple rule of so adjusting the roof ns best to jacket to imitate gold lace, and fastening tin
resist the pressure of the materials and the rain buckles to his shoes to look like silver, we may
and snow, will secure the best convenience and join in the general laugh at his expense. Not
]>roportion. a few ambitious city mansions, in some of their
Arc wo turning Vandals, does some one ask ? details, fall into a similar mistake; and some
Are we sacrificing beauty to utility, nnd quarrel- really liandsome houses, that could safely be left
ing with all the charming finery that is adorning to their own substantial beauty of form and ex-
the acres and persons of our rising America ? cellence of material, are made flashy and mean
Surely we are not quarreling with beauty, but by the profusion of cheap and senseless ornament
trying to study it in the school of God and Na- that is plastered upon the ceilings and daubed
tttre—of the rainbow and the rose, the waterfall upon the walls.
and the star, the bounding deer and tho human Sometimes, indeed, good sense is sacrificed in
face and form divine. In nature the beautifid the opposite way, and a mean economy starts
is the lovely play of tnithful life; and the very with the idea that nothing useful can be Ijeauti-
flower, whoso bloom is the frequent text of the ful, and ugliness is the first principle of economy
—a mistake most atrocious, and a foul libel tiiMiii a scale so dear. Tbe mi.serablc work kept us in
man and nature. We once went througli tho tniublc for years, and Avith all the )iatching of
interior of a country house whose outside was the roof, and stopping of cracks, nnd piecing out
quite pretty, and the proprietor pointed with of floors, Ave were never comlbrtable. A cold
pride to the large number of rooms crowded into winter's day made the new rooms uninhabitable;
the moderate space. Sure enough, there were as and our own discomfort found some little relief
many apartments ns belong to a stately mansion, in sharing the grievance Avith the owner, by
but the little building was ruined by the false turning something of the nipping chills into his
economy, as there was hardly a room beneath pocket Avhen we felt them beating against our
tho roof that was gotxl for any thing; and, as in Iiacks. Most houses are probably built too poor-
many other matters, the (juantity was .secured ly for love of economy; and men of wealth, who
by the sacrifice of the quality. He surely who ought to knoAV better, often rear blocks of dwell-
sacrifices proportion to false frugality strays quite ings for rent that hardly stand till they arc fin-
.as far from true utility as he who sacrifices con- ished. They Avho build such shams merely to
venience to mere ostentation. Both errors arc sell, may saA-e themselves from loss of money at
shunned by remembering that a house should be the cost of fidelity; yet in the end they are
builc to be lii'cd in alike with comfort and pleas- pretty sure to Avin tlie rcAvard of their unfaith-
antness. fulness, and in the end honesty is seen to bo
Our second remark may seem quite as com- the best jxilicy. The fairest mode of building is
monplace a^ the first; and Ave go on to say that n that Avhich secures fair pay for fair A\-ork and
sensible and independent man will build in such material; and he AA'ho hopes to sell a half-built
a Avay as to gratify his own jiersonal taste and house for a finished one, or to get a finished
convenience, with a certain moilest regard to house for half-]irice, may find that after all he
public opinion, or so as to suit himself Avithout has oA-en-eached himself as AVCU as his neighbor.
miming into any eccentric individuality, that But cost is only a single asi>ect of fitness, and
must equally damage the current value and pre- he AA'ho builds a dAvelling mnst use his best judg-
vailing impression of the edifice. In the sim- ment to adapt it to his OAvn taste and Avants. It
jilc matter of cost it is Avell for him to consult is the poorest practical pedantry to ape another
ids OAvn means, and also to remember the scale man's habits — Avhether to affect his speech or
of other men's ability, so ns not to spend money style, his dress or his enjoyments. Every man
upon wild schemes that, in any change of fortune should build as he dresses and speaks and walks;
or residence, must bring certain loss, and show determined to be himself, instead of tormenting
that not only a fool and his money arc soon part- himself to be somebody else. This principle Avill
ed, but a person not Avholly foolish may be in the give every new honse some characteristic features
same predicament. The country is full of huge alike of. taste and couA-enience; for evcrj' family
follies that somcrimcs, in name, are baptized htis its own ways and likings to be suited in the
Avith the builder's own foolishness; and AvJiich, number and shape, and in the comforts ami em-
Aviiile of doubtful Avorth to the owner, are sure bellishments of the apartments. Let them be
never to bring half their cost. The same fault veiy honest, and hiivc Avhat they Avant, instetid
may appear in an opjiosite Avay; and he wiio of sacrificing their independence to some prevail-
builds so meanly as tu give his house no A'aluc ing caprice. In matters of pure taste it may be
in a substantiid jiurchascr's judgment, may be as too presuming in a man of little culture to ven-
wasteful as he Avho lavi.shes money upon eccen- ture ui>on any characteristic innovations, upon
tricities that offend the general taste. the strength of his own ori^nality; but he is
Not only should the cost of the edifice be cal- not obliged to be original. He can judge, if ho
culated, but also the cost of liAing in it; and can not invent; and after looking over a A'ariety
here many a man makes a sad mistake. After of plans in books and port-folios, he may, by a
spending CA'ery spare dollar upon a showy edifice, reasonable amount of good sense, fix upon tho
it is a fearful rcAclation tp find that the first cost structure that he needs and Avill permanently like.
is but the beginning of sorrows, and that, instead It is one thing to create, and another thing to
of being bcttei-etl by his outlay, the adA-enturer criticise; and Avith the present affluence of manu-
could not really aflbrd to occept the stately man- als of architecture, and of architects competent
sion as a gift upon condition of supporting it upon to adopt and combine familiar features, if not to
tho full scale of expenditure. Perhajis most of originate new models, no person of good judg-
the more costly country houses at some time op- ment need be content to add one to the host of
press their owners in this way, and the ambitious tame etUfices that are built by AAiiolcsale Avith
man wishes that his ostentatious villa might sink about as little characteristic spirit as a train of
into the ground, and leave him in a snug cot- baggage-cars or a row of btithing-houses. The
tage without the burden of debt and the mortifi- whole nation OAves a grateful tribute to the arch-
cation of retrenchment. We, of course, arc not itects Avho huAC been giving us so many hand-
advocating jiarsimony, and are quite sure that some and judicious plans. Downing's name has
very cheap houses are likely to cost their owners monuments in numberless houses from Maine to
very dear in the end. We lived once in a hired California; and the recent book of Calvert Vaux
house which the owiier had enlarged upon the surpasses all competitors and predecessors in jiop-
cheap system, by giving the job to the loAvest ular usefulness, in its rare combination of econ-
bidder; and ncA'cr Avas a cheap thing on so small omy and convenience Arith beauty and A'ariety.
 The elementary laws of beauty require a cer- forbid breadth of ground, and are, both in loca-
tain unity in variety, alike in the building itself tion and stnicture, spoiled by the absnrd ambi-
and in its relation to other buildings and sur- tion of imitating city finery, instead of rejoicing in
roundings. There is no beanty, bnt merely a rural freedom and A-ariety. In many of our sweet-
mechanical prettincss, in a row of cottages or est villages the loAvland is cxclusiA'cly occupied
blocks of city houses all of precisely the same by houses, Avhich are huddled together on some
structure, as if they were cast in ono set mtndd. great street, AAithout range of prospect or sweep
Nor is there beauty in utter irregularity, as when of landscape, Avhile the charming hill-sides arc
bnihiings are thrown together as if by chance— left to the crows and the cattle, estimated at the
as if they met most reluctantly, and Avished to ruling price of COAV pastures. If half a dozen
fight Avith each other. The same remark holds cntei-prising men Avonid ride over the beautiful
good of the details of a single edifice; and it villages and toA\'ns Avithin fifty miles of the city,
loses its claims to beauty the moment that its on the look-out not only for picturesque views,
features are so monotonous as to have no varie- but for healthy and aA-ailable building sites, they
ty, or so A'arious as to have no unity. The hu- would find themselA'cs pioneers in an almost un-
man body, Avhich is the highest visible type of touched AAilderness of richness and beauty, and
Divine art, illustrates the true principle, in its might spend their money in investments that
combination of unity of purjiose Avith variety of would giA-e fair iiecunlary jirofit, and an ines-
detail. The lesson need not be lost upon the timable return in tho coin of health and cheer-
most modest builder; and any man who is to fulness.
spend a thousand dollars u])on a house ought to Near by the summer quarters Avherc we have
make his own mark upon it, by giving it some spent many happy years AVC lately saAv a proof
characteristic features beyond the repetition of a of this saying npon a small scale. In the iril-
mechanical pattera. In cities, where land is so lagc, a quarter of a mile distant, the price of
dear, and houses are huddled together like sar- good land ranges as high as a thousand dollars
dines packed Avith oil in tin boxes, it is difficult, an acre, yet upon the hill-sidc above our host's
if not impossible, to give much variety to them farm-house, that commanded superb vicAvs, the
by di\'crsificd grounds; but the too frequent price was at the usual mark of common pasture
patch-Avork nnifonnity of our city blocks maybe lands. Beyond the Avail in front of our laA\-n
A-aiicd by giving each front some features of its there was a Avild and picturesque Avood, of some
own, and by securing to the Avhole block some eight or ten acres, that often temptetl our vaca-
sort of unity by a coiLsjiicuous central colonnade tion rambles, and gave ample reAvard in the Avar-
or pediment that scn-cs to combine the AVIIOIC blo of birds, the coolness of rich groves and fresh
pile, A'cry nuich as nose, mouth, and eyes gi\-e Avaters, and the verdure and bloom of Avild flow-
unity of meaning to the limbs of the body. ers and shrubs. The thought one day came to
The ])rincijile maybe, hoAvcA-er, fully carried ont a loiterer there that this tangled Avilderness was
within the house, and it is utter folly for so many just the place for a simple and picturesque house;
peo]ilc to make their interiors such tame copies and a landscape gardener, Avho Avent through tho
of the stereotype patterns, and, in the shape and grounds with a practiced eye, said that there was
adorning of tlie rooms, yield to the carpenter and no place of such natural adA-antages for building
mason's easy precedents, as if one family Avere in all the tOAAni. The loiterer bought the acres
precisely like another, and houses must needs of the OAvner, Avho happened to be in the wood
bo as monotonous as honey-combs. Any bright cutting down sumach bushes ; ond for the price
child at once adopts, though Avithout knowing it, of a \yooY COAV pasture the sweet little nook—
the great rule of ort, and rejects the monotony Avith its .springs, and rocks, and Aines, nnd trees,
of mere mcchanisiii. The child soon looks aAvay and prospect—^was no longer to be called a waste
from the carpet Avhich, on I)cing unrolled, mere- place. Some of the neighbors pitied the green-
ly repeats the same mechanical pattern, yet fol- horn Avho had made the purchase, and congratu-
lows Avith eager eye the landscape that reA'eals lated him on his pluck in going out of the bor-
fresh A'arietics at cveiy turn, while at the same ders of ciAilizntion, and bnilding literally upon
time it prosen'cs a certain unity in its spirit and the rock. But the landscape gardener soon drcAV
prospect. Any man Avho has on acre of ground some Avinding curx'cs along the natural levels of
can apply this laAv of art; nnd however modest the ground Avhich deeiiencd into sightly roads
his scale of operations, his cottage and grounds and paths; the muck from the central dell was
may haA'c an originality quite as charactcii.stic made to enrich the soil, and leaA-e a sweet grove
ns his own mind and tenqieraiucnt, his hand- girding a spring of living A\'atcr; a modest house
writing, or his gait. and snug stable ere long arose, and the laugh-
•\\niat a pity it is that our beautiful country ers changed the tune of their fun, and said that
towns, that are so rich in building-sites and the greenhorn and his advisers AA-ere Aviser than
])leasure-gTOuhds, are so poorly apprcciatcil by they. The good man Avho formerly oAvncd the
their inhabitants; and in most cases the co.'^tlicst ground half cried and half laughed as he saw tho
edifices are the least effective. A great change transformation of his COAV pasture into a rustic
for the better has, indeed, of late shown itself; landscape garden, glad, on the whole—now that
but thus far, except in the vicinity of our great the property Avas no longer his—to see it so well
cities, tho best places are not built upon, and the improved. It Avas ere long discovered, howev-
most costly dwellings are crowded into streets that er, that tho young romance of the village had
always had some sense of the beauty of the spot; that, amniig the freaks of fashion, **»Soirces or
nnd more than one buxom matron said, Avith a Matine'es Hygienes" may find a place, and gen-
]>leasant light in her eyes, that it Avas a famous llc maiden-s, in fit costume of the Graces, like
ramble fur young ])copIc in old limes, and went Diana and Iter nymphs, Avill run, and climb, and
by the name of the " Lovers' Walk." One ex- boAvl more merrily and profitably than they now
cellent result of the improA'cmcnt AA-US that it- so Avaltz. Wc saw, a few Avecks ago, a most en-
fascinated the builder—an (i[icn-hearted, skillful, couraging experiment of this kind upon the ruder
and energetic man—that he fell in love Avith his sex. One of our princely merchants fipenetl his
Avork, and gave not only honest time and scrA-- house to a large party of gentlemen, in honor of
icc, but more than ho bargained for. He is the presence of his aged father, AVIIO Avas on a
Boinctimcs, aud alAvays gladly, seen contempla- visit from the country. The evening jiasscd
ting the effects of his labor, and seems to enjoy pleasantly, Avith its fctist of beautiful arts, kind
the transformation as much as the owner. We faces, and good Avord.s, to say nothing of choice
give this incident as a passing illiustration, to creature-comforts of more material significance.
show that not only " many a floAver is born to But the close of the imrty capped the climax of
blush unseen," but many a IOACIV grove and hill- the glee. The host hinted to IAVO or three of
side are left to " waste their sweetness" chiefly the guests that the attic Avas a jilay-room, with
*' upon the desert air." There is nothing to pre- sAvings and poles and boAvling-alley. The de-
vent our enterprising young men, Avho are seek- sertion gradually increased until the guests, a
ing pleasant and frugal houses for summer, from large sprinkling of Avhom were clergymen, A-a-
ojicning ncAV riches in every village and toAvn- ciited the parlors for the attic, nnd straightway
sliip, and doing something for the public taste, Avcre to be seen in all manner of strange atti-
^vhile they further their own health and comfort. tudes. A gray-hetuled doctor of divinity from
We are not ashamed to present this whole .'snlv Jersey took off his coat and began the onset
jcct of house-building upon the highest princi- against the jiins as if it AA'cre not his first expe-
ples, and to maintain that AA'C arc not only to rience of such knock-<lown nrgnments, not iin-
combine utility Avith beauty, originality with Avilling to be joined by half a dozen competitors,
good common sense, but that AVC are to embody some of Avhoin could not quite say the Avhole of
in our household arrangements as much as AA'C his catechism. The Avhole ajiparatus of recrea-
can of elcA-ated thought and broad aftections. In tion Avas at once jnit into requisition ; nnd no-
other words, our domesticity, instead of cramp- thing pleased us more than to sec tAvo learned
ing us up in a belittling clannishness, should and acute profes.sors of theology, Avho were in
open into a large humanity. A s the house keeps the habit of soaring A'cry high in thcosophic
near God and Nature it will be nearer true hu- speculations, shinning up IAVO smooth poles Avith
manity, nnd its very fm'niture, ornaments, and | marvelous agility, and lifting their hands to the
manners Avill assert a creed far beyond any self- ceiling Avith an case not nhvays shoAvn by their
indulgent, seIf-A\'orshiping familism. The books cloth Avhen in silk robes instead of shirt-slecA-cs.
on the SIICIA'CS, the prints and pictures on the It Avas good to sec the men*y company, and that
Avails, the music from A-oice or harp or piano, catholicity of blood and limb .seemed to us proin-
the looks and Avords and costume of the family i.se of a better day of catholicity of doctrine.
circle, like the roses and vines that cluster about Who knows Avhat good AA'ould come to the church
the doors, Avill affirm a gentle and lofty faith that and Avorld if, by less gluttony and indolence and
connects refinement Avith purity, and makes the more activity, the body AA-ere purged of its ill hu-
spirit of licauty minister at the altar tif goutiness mors, and the stomach, freed from the demons
and truth. It would bo Avell if our republican of dysjicjisia, A\'crc made the cheerful servant of
householders Avould look more to this moral and the Spirit of God? The experiment is Avorth
spiritual clement in their houses, and so build trying; nnd quite sure we arc that a considera-
and furnish them as to embody in the edifice and ble jMirtion of the language of the Church mili-
its management the tnio idea of living Avithin tant, and csjiccially of the Church termagant,
God's kingdom, and make the home less an 04it- Avonld have liecn mercifully lost to the Avorld if
ing-hoiise and lodging than a school of the mind men h.ad been as careful about air, exercise, diet,
and affections, nay, a temple of the Spirit. We and digestion, as they have l)ecn careful about
do not sliglit the physical uses of the house, and their neighbor's creed and conscience. The true
are clear in the conviction that a larger provision care of the hotly Avould help, instead of hamiing,
for bodily recreation might be profitably pur- the soul; and the sanity that begins in the mem-
chased by the sacrifice of a large purtiun of the bers ATOuld not fail to mount to the brain.
superfine decorations that abound in so many A bolder stand for physical health in the econ-
mansions, where the upholsterers' and cabinet- omy of the household might fitly attend a bolder
makers' bills are supposed to measure by their assertion of its moral and spiritual uses; and al-
magnitude the taste and affluence of the occu- though ATC are not sticklers for signs and cere-
pants. One parlor, or eA-cn one set of curtains monies, AAC ' do think that a house is poorly con-
and mirrors less, might yield means for securing structed and furnished that docs not, in .some
an excellent play-ground in the attic or out- decided way, bear Avitncss to the faith aud hu-
buildings, Avhcrc bright girls and boys Avonld win manity of the family. There need be no cross
a fairer bloom than comes with evenin/f parlies, on tho nable to docK-xrc the Christian creed, nor
rich Aiands, and blazing chandeliers. It may bo any statues or pictiucs of saints and Madonnas
 to jirove the Christian alToetion.s of the family,
JJiit surely there .should be something in the
honse—alike in its artistic ornaments, its bookfS,
and, if possible, in its little cha])cl—to show that
the family mean to live not for themselves alone,
hut as children of God, and true to the humani-
ty that is m.adc in His likeness. It is AVCII to
mark the chief experience of the family by char-
acteristic memorials; and a fair share of thought-
fulness, Avithont gi'cat intellect or outlay, Avill
enrich the house Avith iinprcssiA'c tokens of Avhat
God's providence bus done for the inmates, in
consecrating their joys and sorrows, hopes and
fears, successes and disappointments, births and
deaths, through the changing years. The pure
faith that expelled the old Lares and Penates did
not discourage sacred aflection for the names
dearest to home aflection, or rcA'crence for the
benefactors nearest to home virtue and Avisdom.
The hearth-stone, in parting AAith its pagan altar,
is called to be itself the altar of the one living
and true G o d ; and thns Avas to be consecrated,
not desecrated, by the change from the Roman
eagle to the Christian doA-c.

A HOMELY SONG OF TOIL.

I P A S S E D by the door of the Avork-sboj)—
The Avorkmeii the}' were t h r e e ;
And they blithely sang, Avhile the anvils' clang
JMade music to their glee:
" l l o ! for the strength to do]
l l o ! for the Avill to d a r e !
H o ! fur the patience, long and true,
That balHes Avant nnd ctire!
" W e vicAv not Avith hatred or eiu'y
T h e lord.s of sloth and ease;
Bnt may Heaven furefend that our sons should end
In aping things like these!
W h a t are they but the tares
TJKit fall before the plow ?
And what the diamonds beauty AA'cars,
Ti> the .sweat on labor'.s brow?
" The sluggard may sicken of plea.stiro,
' i l i d fea.sts of g.iy delight;
B u t Ave find our Avcalth in the pulse of health.
And onr sauce in ajipctite.
A h ! Avifo and child nre dear,
And home is doubly SAveet,
T o men Avho seek but humble cheer.
And earn the bread they e a t !
" W c would not abide in a imlaee,
T o sleep 'tAvixt doubt and fear;
W e wouhl never sup from a prince's cup.
T o taste the AvidoAv's tear;
W e AA'ould not stoop to strike
A neighbor for his sjioil;
W e think, and feel, .nnd .share alike,
I n the brotherhood of toil.
*<The E a r t h hath cnongh for her children;
B u t she loves the sturdy heart;
A n d she says that all may he free from thrall,
If each Avill bear his part.
Then let us HA-C content.
T o learn in Nature's school.
T h a t riches are the accident,
A n d labor is the r u l e ! "
I pass by the door of the Avork-shoji;
A n d I lift my cap in air.
T o the Strength, and Will, and the Patient Skill
T h a t haA'c their dwelling there.
H o ! for the strength to d o !
H o ! for the Avill to d a r e !
H o ! for the patience, long and true.
That baftlcs Avant and care!
 — - . . ^ . . ^ ^ = ^ " - 4"^>=^=5,.a^==r:::rr-)

1860s
• House Plans: Country or Suburban
Residences, Ornamental Cottages and
& Italian Villa....1864
• Houseless....1863
• The Houses We Live In....1865
• How to Redeem Woman's
Profession... .1865
• Cost of a Home....1866
• A Christian House....1869
 Rn:.\L on SUUCKHAX r.EsiuE-\cK;
Da/i:/if:d c^r^fsslii/or Gudci/'s Lad<j\o liw.l., lij IsA-.c II. IIOJJCV, Architect, PhiUddphux.

PEUSPRCTIVB VlKW.

T H E al>ov(j dMipn Is lntenilr<l for a maiinlon-hon.io, au'l room C, D a sitting-room, A h a l l , E rcreptlon-rooin, V

wtU be found a very aiipropriato buildiua for a r u r a l or oflico or libr.irj', 0 carriani! porch.
suburljati rovliloucd. The Hccond story contains tevcu cl)H"it>ors nnd two bed-
The de-'is,'!' ft* d r a w n jilacc-s tbo kitchen and scrvaiitH* rooms for servants, 'n-ltl. ampU. l.>tii«. 1-or a gentleman
, room iu tUo bascmout. It contains a parlor 13, dlaiui,'- of fortuuu tho abovo design w i l l be found vory Bullable.
 nUKAL OK SUUURB.VX llESIDEXCK.
Duiffncd e^prcssli^/nr Godeu', Lad,fs JJuoK; ly U^,, u. UOBU., ArchUwl, rhiUuUlplu..

PER8PECTIVB VIEW.

TUP. above dusigu 1H In the GrecLan stvlc of architecture, first floor a RUUO of three rooms, waler-cloBOt, shed, and
and will make ii very comfortable ami prettv resldpiice. paulry. The .v-rond story rmiialnH four bedrooms. It is
Tlii>bi\ildiiiff Is drawn for frame, and by adlipllng it to of a stylo of archilerlni'i! (hat needs to be carefully pro-
stoui) It would have to bo luado Inrgor. It couiaiu* ou the portioned tu ublalu much beauty. It lias breadth iu ita

riExT 8-roRT. BEcosD eronv.

Knportions, and tho form nnd »'ze of its drtatlit trill
<!ithor make it beautiful or hlUeouB. Tho slzen of roumti
i^f as follows:—
.\klichon, 1.^ b r l B feet; 13 living room, 20 by 16; C
u|'lriioni, ir, by to ; U is a wood ^he^l, .S by Id; K water-
Wo*ct, 4 by 4; F a pa»suj,'o to. collar and wood niiod ; U
porrh In front, .I bv 10. Second fitory; K bedroom, 9 by
14 ; L do. 9 by 10 ; ' M do. S by 0 ; N do. 9 by II.
Tnicini,'s of tho buildinir, drawn larRo, with Kuflleient
information to build tlit- Name, can bo obtatiied l.y iuck'S-
iui,' $ 1 J to Ihiuic H. lIobb», Architect, rhiladolphiiv.
 UE.SIGN VOll AX Olt.NAMEJSTAI. COlTAtiK.
l^c-iijiicd exprLSStijfor Gvdcj/'s Lady's Duul!, h<f laA-io li. JIoBi)?, .iraJiUcot, Philadclp/tia.

FIRST snroRt, BECOSI) STORT.

Principal Story.—V parlor, B library, F tower ball, H HcMolMiUs address on a letter:—

aaln hall, C conservatory, I hrPHkfast-room, D dining-
room, G porch, A' veranda, K kltcheu, E pantry, W •wash
room, A carriage porch.
Second Story.—V verauda, U principal chamber and
bath-room, X chamber, S cloBct, 0 main hall, Y boudoir,
H veranda, A roof or porch, Z chamber, ^' back chamber,
M F J bcdroomR.
"Mr. PoKtmasterBrady,
Oblige a young lady ;
To Philadolphia city this letter convoy.
In let!3 time than no day.
Go seek L. A. Oodcy;
There's tUreo dollarH inside for eubHrription to pay.
And don't let this letter in ibleve.s* fluirers fall.
Or I sha'ttU get my Lady's Book, maybe, ut all.'

Mnsic KKCEIVEB.—AA'^o have received the following from A ScuooL TEACHKR asked a little girl one day, " AVhat
Blackman & Co., Now Orleans:^ is latitude?" The answer Was, "Latitude Is Komething
Como to Mu, Love. A Serenade. either north or eouth from tho Creator.'^
 DESIGN Foil A.V OKXA.MKyTAL COITAG?:.
Designed ea-pratsly for Gudetf's Liuln'g Doolc, hij ISAAC IX. HOBBS, ArdUtcct, PhiUidclphia.

PIRST gTOKT. EECOKD STor.r.

JtrH Slon/.—A p.\rlor, B porch, C main hall, D dining-
room, E brcakfudt-rooiu, F kitchen.
Second Storij.—0 principal chamber, II I J chambers,
K ruof of porcb, L bay-ivlndow.
AVHAT IH tlio diffcreuco Iiotween a duck with ono wing
and a duck with two? It la luorcly a diffcreuco of o-
pinion.
AVE have received from GOM-^^C II. Johnson, of San Fran-
clsct:i, two photogntphii of "That Sanitary Sack of Flour,"'
Whicli brought so wonderful a price. Tho photographs
are well executed, aud tho newspaper account that ac-
companied them \» very amusing.
TUB I)«!St couL'U drop for young ladies is to dmp tho
practice uf drusaiug thin, wbcu they go iuto the u\^\A air.
 COUNTRY RESIDENCE.

PERSPECTIVE VIEW.
TnE above is a fair wimple of Fomo of tho more recently building"! erected : and w c bope k will not bo ntiintw*!-
conftriicted farmhonses in Ocnosoo County, N. Y. Their In*,' to (lomo to give a description of tho fann of ourenc^
beauty and comfort .are dnu. In uoxmall dcu'roe, to tbe cfr<>ct j:etlo and ontcrprisinj; fellow towiiMiian, .Mr. Ailnlpli
which magazines have had upon the taste-'* of thosu having Ilugol, witli Its varied uses and dilforent appointments.

riRST BTORT. SEOOirD tnoRT,

The firm consists of lOG acres, two-thinls grazing, ono- '
third grain and woodland ; lian barns and farm stalilcs,
sheep-ponti, ico audsmoko-houHO, a privatu carriage-house,
and Ktiibles for seven horses, with box-stall; sustalm
.lomo two hundred hciid of sheep and twenty hoiiics, which
latter are of thA most cololmited Ktock, comprising tho
well-known horse "Edwin Booth," thcniaros "ilareoe,"
" I'cerlcss,'" aud " rrlncess," mostly tho property of Win.
Itotch Angler, Esq., and John I'ottcr, Enq., of PhilaJol-
phi.i. In close proximity, and in full view from tho
piazzas, oxtcnds Couosn.s l4ikc, ton miles iu length, ono of
those lovely sheotn of wutor so frcriuent in Hew York
State. Tho surrounding countiy pre.-^cnts to tlic eye that
beauty of landscape which characterized tho wholu valley
of the Geno.see.
DctK'.riptUiii of Plan. Firnt Stort/.—.V parlor, 1.1 by 10;
B diuiuir-room, 1;? by 10 ; C bedroom, 12 bv IG; D siiting-
Tooin, 11) by 12 ; E kitchen. 2S by 10; F liall. S feet wide;
Q pautry, 10 by 8 ; I wood-8he<l, \C> by IG; K iwi-chus.
'i'he second utorj/ cont;nns flvo chambers of ciniil'ortablo
dimcusious. N porch roofs ; -O roof of back building.
 StTBITUr.AX llTi-SlIlENCE.
Designed vj-pre.'oilyfnr Ond^y's Lndtfn 7.V..V, by l.s.uvo li. Uoun.^, Architect, Phthidclphia.

PERSPECTIVE VIEW,
THE above design is intended for two iKmsns, so arranged appearance. They will cost about $0000, and are siiitablo
that thoy form Iu appearauce ono large building. They fur villages or suburban rtaidencos. ,
aro conveniently arranged, and have * very agreeable By inclosing $30 to Isaac H. Hobbs, Architect i'hlla-

I" B A

PiaST STORY. SECOND STOKV.

 DESIGX FOK AX tlllNAMENTAL COTTAGE.

JDmSf-iKd crprcisly for G<>d<}i'e Lfi^li/'g lU.ok, 6// I.SAAI: H. HOKHS, Archil.cf, Philadelphia.

PERSPECTIVE
THE abovo dot^ign is a square bnilding, of a simple but
good plan. It has a French roof, and can be built of
cither stone or br'ick. If the building was built in the
neighborhood of riiiludelphta U would cost about ;f|7,000.
VIEW.
It contains parlor, dining-room, sitting-room, with ample
kitchen upon the tirst floor, it is designed to bo 4.'} feet iu
the front, aud 34 feet deep in main building. The orna-
mental part of thU building is simple, aud will cost but

jitlle. The main ball runs tlirough tho centre of building, Tiescrlplion nf Plan.—A parlor, B library, C dining-
which will lOiiko it airy, convenient, and easily to bu room, D kittlit'u, Ebedrooms, F chambers, G loi^f of jiorch,
ki'pt iu order. II roof of bay-windows, I porches, 0 hall, K vestibule.
 ITALIAN: V
lTAhI.\N VILLA. K Closnt.
V Diiiiiig-room, 21:1*/' liy 14:l>.
(S'^ iHC/racing, jtut/e 13.) G Lilirary, 11 b / 13.
I''irst ifiiuri/.
11 Hall, (5 feet.
I Dnwiii;r-room, 15 I13' i S .
Jl'oruh, 11 feut.

Sfro/id .S'/ory.

K liod-rooiii.
IJ IJ:ith-rocmi.
M Clo-^et,
A PtimiULM- kitclioH. 11:15 by 17:0". N CUiti-A:
n Kitohen, liJ br 17. O I' U (liambord.
C I'aiilry. R S T V (iosetd.
D Buller'tt ijatilry. V C"bauibor.
 eral rectitude of demeanor. Departures from
these cardinal virtues pain us; exposure to the
contrary practices weakens our own observance
of them; and yet—I say it with pain—there is
no help for us; and we must, for all I see, asso-
ciate wth those who are not only untidy ns to
their persons, but who permit filth of all kinds
to collect on the stairs, balusters, on the doors,
nnd in the halls of the houses wherein they
abide.
If I were asked why this is necessarily the
case, I should answer. Because there are no
dwellings convenient to the business part of tho
city, known to me, where a person of small
means can live quietly. I know that this as-
sertion will be contradicted by many; but 1 can
substantiate it, if I may be allowed to construe
those qualifications as I understand them—what
significance I attach to them will presently aji-
pear.
Let us consider the amount of onr incomes;
I say ouPf because there aro many persons in
situations similar to my own. Upon an aver-
age they may bo stated as ranging from f^ToO to
.^1250 a year—mj* own income I have already
jiut down confidentially at the medium of i 1000,
all told. Now how much, or how great a pro-
portion of this can one afford to pay for his
THE father of littlo "Daisy" (a three-year-old) rooms ? Whole houses are out of the question.
bad been from home somo days when the little one Clearly not more that one-sixth of the whole
conceived a sudden fondness for the Daguerreotype amount; and this portion will be a sore tax if
of the absent one. The mother noticed this Avith we have any considerable number of little mouths
pleasing emotions, and seeing the child put the pic- at home to be filled. Let ns take ':l'><>-i^
ture in father's easy chair and tug away, trying in our hand and set out to visit the aiiartiiieius
to climb up, she asked, " What is little Daisy try- which are to be had for that sum. If one is in-
ing to do ?"
"Climbing into papa*s lap," &ho said; and contin- experienced in sucli jonmeys as these the first
ued until she bad seated herself on the picture, and cover that he will seek is likely to be those
glanced to mamma with a highly satisQed " there!" streets on the eastern side of the city, about
Grand Street, snch as Columbia, Willct, Pitt,
etc. The aspect of these streets is not by any
HOUSELESS. means inviting; but that is not to be hoped for.

I T is not without sore apprehension nnd mis- Garbage is there, and piles of ashe.s, and odor-
giving that I see tbo annual day of tribula- ous swill-boxes; gangs of boys swear and curse,
tion and trial approaching—^I refer to "Moving and i>lay hide-and-seek about your jierson as you
Day." So much of my time.has been spent in pass along. But these features are not rejiuls-
hunting after a suitable domicile, wherdin to ive; one becomes indiflcrent to them after years
shelter my lares and pcnates, tliat I am con- of association. Here is a bouse with a bill up—
scious of a diminution in my income by reason *' Rooms to rent." Let ns see IIOAV they look.
of jolting to and fro in stages, or rumbling in Directly opposite the house is a long row of
cars, or crossing over ferries to visit dwellings slaughter-houses; and on one side is a grave-
that prove uninhabitable when critically exam- yard, thickly tenanted. Still, the dwelling is
ined. outwardly respectable, and we enter, hoping that
My income is limited. We will nssnme that wo shall be lucky enough to obtain a good bar-
it is §!lOOO per annum; nnd that out of this sum gain.
there are three little Gummidges (my name is First Act.—A ring at the door. If we wait
Gnmmidge) who expect me to provide bread, patiently, and ring twice more, we shall hear
and a great deal of butter to put on it, fbr their footsteps slowly and deliberately approaching.
subsistence, and furnish them besides with shel- The door oiiens about six inches, and a wo-
ter and changes of apparel. Of the bread and man's dirty face and unkempt head appears in
butter I do not here propose to speak, nor of the the crevice. She says, " Wtotrt/oicant ?'' We
apparel, btit merely of the shelter. How am I reply, mildly, that we tlesirc to know what rooms
to provide it ? are to rent, and are gruffly answered, "Third
It is the misfortune of Mrs. Gummidgc and floor." " Can we see them ?" The door handle
myself to have moved in societies that had a is relinquished, and the landlady marches off
wholesome regard for the externals of life: as, toward th^ uncarpeted front stairs. This is a
for instance, cleanliness, good behavior, and gen- sufficient answer, and we are expected to avail
 ourselves of the invitation and follow. W e pass
on the several landings the staring inmates of
the various a])artmcnts, who have come out to
view our garments and make remarks npon our
jijijiearance; and we finally reach the third floor,
:ind wherein all the foul and stale odors of the
regions below have ascended and become con-
densed. There arc etrips of paper here and
there left on the wall: the remainder of the
pattern has been playfully removed by the for-
mer occupants.
We ask, " H o w many rooms are there, and
what is the rent ?'*
"Five rooms, and $14 a month."
By the calendar month just $108 per year: ft
little beyond the sum to which we have mentally
limited ourselves ; but we won't stand upon that
if the rooms will answer at all to our wants.
" I s the water up?"
" T h e water's in the yard."
"Where can we jiut our coal?"
"There ain't no place for coal; folks here
buy it by the bushel, and don't want no place to
keep it. You'll have to do as the rest do."
" Will you repair the rooms and re-jiaper the
walls ?"
"No. You must take the rooms as they are."
Clearly these npartments will not answer, and
we leave the place, glad if we escape insult on
the way. One hundred and sixty-eight dollars
a year for the rent of snch a place, not fit for
the h.abitation of human beings. This is a sam-
])le of what a man of moderate means in search
of a home will find. Ransack tbe city from side
to side, and this is aboitt the net result; some
will be n little better and some much worse.
But you will be fortunate if you find any thing
tlmt comes witliin the limits of your mcan.s, if,
like mine, they arc "moderate."
Now what is tho remedy for all these evils
and troubles? Obviously the erection of such
dwellings as shall accommodate the vast and
continually increasing population of the city who
have "moderate'' incomes: we will say, for ex-
ample, book-keepers, artists, editors, clerks, law-
yers, copyists, mechanics, and members of other
professions and trades who desire privacy and
retirement ?
Let no person sneer, " T h i s writer doesn't
know what he's talking about," and straightway
bore the Editor of this Magazine with a long
letter telling all about the houses in 90{)th Street
and 40th Avenue, or about one or two others of
socialistic tendencies and principles; tho writer
of this article is familiar with all of these struc-
tures, and does not consider that they at all an-
swer the demand. In the various suburbs of
the city there are cheap dwellings, in clean
streets, with healthy suiToundings generally, so
it is not of them that I would speak, but of
homes in the parts of city easily reached in half
an hour from the gjfeat centres of business and
trade. Why are there no dwellings of the kind
under discussion? Because capitalists do not
know, or are averse to considering, how easily
and profitably snch dwellings may be erected.
Let us examine briefly the practical bearings
of the subject. There was a plan of a building
which would answer all the requirements one
could reasonably expect; and although the ut-
most limits of the scheme may not be realized,
it is safe to assume that snch a dwelling would
be a much more desirable residence than those
now to let at immoderate prices. This plan was
one projected by some parties whose names are
not made public: it was never carried out, bc-
canse the scheme was not planned upon a prop-
cr basis. Dejiending, as it did, upon the co-op-
eration of the people generally it naturally fell
through. " The New York Palacp Home," as it
was magniloquently called, was intended to be a
large structure inwardly and outwardly—a huge
hotel having every convenience on its several
stories for a quiet and luxurious home. Strict
privacy was insured to cvciy dweller within its
walls, and every possible convenience was pro-
vided. The locality was to be near the Central
Park, and the whole affair was to cost in tho
neighborhood of a million of dollars. The idea
was good, but the fatal defect was the method
by which it was to be built and operated. This
practically defeated the whole thing. Tlie as-
sociation purported to be one designed to afford a
home for those persons having moderate ineoracs,
and the projectors of tho scheme immediately
requested the class in question to come forward
and take from one to five thousand dollars' worth
of stock—a very probable piece of enterprise on
the part of the lean-pursed.
Such projects as the above will always fail for
the reasons stated. I have before me a plan far
more modest, yet quite as comfortable and orig-
inal in its conception, fur dwellings affording
quiet retreats after the labors of the day. It is
by an architect formerly of this city, but now
doing his country sen'icc at the seat of war.
Here is tbe author's verbal description of this
plan:
"Tlie great and fundamental difference between Uds
plan and that of any houses hitherto erected in New Yoik
for ncconiniodating more than one family is tlic complete
separation wliicb is obtained, and which—witli the excep-
tion of using one grand general staircase for (gress and in-
gress—enables tlie families to be as privati2 and distinct
from each other as if each posses.^'ed a scparntc street en-
trance on tho same blocio In this respect the design bears
no resemblance whatever to what is usually understood
here as ^ tenement houses.'
*^ On arriving at either landing the visitor comes to the
front door of a fiist-class residence, where he has to ring a
bell for admission, precisely as he would iu the street; and
on passing the door to enter the vestibule he finds hliuself
in a house completely detached from all the others, and
possessing, on a sinffle floor, every convenience c^ a well-
built modem house. Each house has a fine front parlor,
1C feet square, four bedrooms, bath-room, water-closet,
china-closet, nnd other closets in abnndance; dining-room,
kitclien and all appurtenances; facilities for raising coal
(from a separate cellar in tho ba!!emcnt) and getting rid
of refuse, without the necessity of ascending and descend-
ing any stairs; a piazza in tho rear, and a brick-incloeed
fire-proof staircase, to prevent the poeslbility of any dan-
ger from fire. Arrangements are also made for trashing
and the use of a drying yard for each house, without any
admixture whatever nf the families.
^'Upon two lots of 25 feet by 100 feet, and in tho centra
of any block, I can, in a four-story struoture, afi'ord to
eight separate families the accommodations abovo men-
tioned, and with all modem improvements. I have made
this design expressly to meet tlie rctiuirements of that largo
nnd respectable portion of the community whose means arc
not sufficient for occupying separate houses in the central
nnd convenient portions of the city. Such families arc to
bo counted by thousands; and it is an astonishing fact
that while there are abundant accommodations for the
wealthiest and the jtoorest classes in the community, so
little attention should have been paid to providing decent
and comfortable homesteads iu town for tho families of
ffcntlemen with vioderate incomes.
" I believe that my scheme is fully able to meet the ne-
cessities of the case, and I am confident that if only one such
edifice were erected in New York, capitalists would have
enough to do to keep pace with the demand upon them for
wore."
Here are suggestions worthy of attention.
The price of such a honse, or houses, depends
wholly npon the finish of them ; and it is not an
illogical conclusion to assume that jieople would
jircfer the comforts which are here attainable to
titifiing among the unwholesome and crowded
quarters of the town. In the upper part of the
city—near the Central Park, for instance—^land
is comparatively cheap, and if it be necessary to
go as high up as that line, a row of houses could
be erected at a price that will pay from ID to 15
per cent, on the investment if properly managed.
I'he writer has consulted with builders and ar-
chitects in reference to this matter; and they,
while acknowledging the want of such buildings,
think the scheme a feasible one.
It is not the intention to burden this article
with plans and specifications for tenements which
can be furnished by the proper persons. The
writer leaves the subject here with those whose
interests lie in this direction, confident that,
with due attention to the bosiliiess details, the
scheme can be made a profitable one, and that a
large proportion of the people of this city will
be no longer houseless.
Who will take this matter in hand ?

W ITHOUT a hillock stretched the plain; The color-guard was nt my side;
For months wc bad not seen a hill;
The endless, flat savannas still
Wearied our eyes with waving cane.
One tangled cane-field lay before
The ambush of the cautious foe;
Behind, a black bayou with low,
Reed-hidden, miry, treacherous shore;
A sullen swamp along the right,
Where alligators slept and crawled,
And moss-robed cypress giants sprawled
Athwart the noontide's blistering light.
Quick, angry spits of musketry
Proclaimed our skirmishers at work;
We saw their crouching figures lurk.
Through thickets, firing from the knee.
Our Parrotts felt the distant wood
With humming, shrieking, gi-owling shell;
When suddenly the mouth of hell
Gaped fiercely for its human food.
A long and low blue roll of smoke
Curled up a huudred yards ahead,
And deadly storms of driving lead
From rifie-pits and cane-fields broke.
Then while the bullets whistled thick.
And hidden batteries boomed and shelled,
"Charge bayonets!" the colonel yelled;
"Battalion for>vard—doublcquick 1"
With even slopes of bayonets
Advanced—a dazzling, threatening crest—
Eight toward the rebels' hidden nest,
The dark-blue, living billow sets.
TuiuoDiCAD.^ LA., March, 18C3.
IN LOUISIANA.
I heard tbe color-sergeant groan;
I heard tho bullet crush the bone;
I might have touched him as he died.
The life-blood spouted from his mouth
And sanctified the wicked land:
Of martyred saviours what a band
Has suffered to redeem the South!
I had no malice in my mind;
I only cried, "Close up! Guide right!"
My single purpose in the fight
Was steady march with ranks aligned.
I glanced along the martial rows.
And marked the soldiers' eyeballs bum;
Their eager faces, hot and stern—
Tlie wrathful triumph on their brows.
The traitors saw; they reeled, they fled:
Fear-stricken, gray-clad multitudes
Streamed wildly toward the covering woods,
And left us victory and their dead.
Once more the march, the tiresome plain^
The Father River fringed with dykes.
Gray cypresses, palmetto spikes,
Bayous and swamps and yellowing cane;
With here and there plantations rolled
In flowers, bananas, orange groves,
Where laugh the sauntering negro droves,
Reposing from the task of old;
And, rarer, half-deserted towns.
Devoid of men, where women scowl,
Avoiding ns as lepers foul
With sidling gait and flouting gowns.
J. W. Die Fouiar, U. S. A.
 sands of dollars, have surprised us. His exhibit,
however, of tho annual revenues of many, though
of an average sufficiently largo to indicate a great
degree of general pro^erity, makes such a paltry
show in comparison with the prevalent display
of wealth as to astound us. These men of
moderate incomes are the chief inhabitants of
those long streets of stately houses which over-
shadow our l a i ^ cities. Tbe comparatively
few who possess incomes of ten thousand dollars
or more, and who alone can prudently live in
Cooldng and Heating by Oa$ cheaper than eotd or wood. snch expensive residences, might all be housed
The EAGLE GAS STOVES and RANGES will BOIL. in half a dozea blocks. The greater portion
BROIL, IU>ABT, TOABT, BAKE, STBW, IIBAT IBONS, &O., &O. of our large houses with rentals rising from
TbeyareNEAT. C'auslngnodtM/,diW,nnoJbe,oros/ies.
Tbey are CONVEN! ENT. Taking up but little room, twelve hundred to three or four thousand dollars
fnmisbing ttie required heat in almost an instant by sim- a year, are occupied by people whose incomes
ply turning on and lighting tbe gaa the same na any or-
dliwrv gas-burner. vary from tweuty-fivo hundred to eight thousand.
Tbey are ECONOMICAL. Creating not tho least ex- With snch means they could live comfortably
pense except when actually being used wniLB ooouiia,
which, when done, the expeiise is inatantl'f cut of. and even luxuriously in a cottage, but must pass
Their HEAT IS UNIFOKMi and not affected by the a life of splendid misery in the palaces they in-
"riBE coiNa iiowM,*' or an ** nutEauLAB DRAFI** (which habit.
it the cause of so much vexation and trouble experienced
bf every housekeeper); therefore OAKINQ is done anlferm- They order these things differently in En-
ly and with oispATca. gland, France, and other countries of Europe,
Tbey are so arranQed that no heat is radiated into the where, notwithstanding their supposed political
iwm, hence affording great comfort in their use dming
M vxather. benightment, we may find something to learn
ln«hort,THE EAGLE GAS COOKING STOVES and socially. There, people think onc-ciglith or even
BANGES have been In use over three years, and are found
to be tbe most simple^ complete, and perfect arrangement one-tenth of their incomes a large enough amount
for CooKiNO, in every respect, ever invented, and to do to expend npon the rentals of their houses, while
the trork trith LESS TROOBLB, in LESS TIME, and at LESS
criEKBB than any coal or wood stove. here one-fourth or one-third is the usual and
We liaoraanufacturetand have for sale KE&OSBHB OU. even one-half a not infrequent proportion. The
CooKiNO STOVES. Englishman, with a thousand pounds a year, finds
Descriptive Catalogue sent free. Address
that comfort, which he knows so well how to
Eagle Gas S t o v e Manufactaring Co., appreciate, in a cottage or small house at a rent
4T4 Broadway, New York.
,of sixty or eighty pounds per nnnntn. The
The Universal Clotliee- Frenchman, with a revenue of twenty or twenty-
Wringor. five thousand francs, satiates himself with his in-
No. 1}. PRICES REnroED. disjicnsablc luxuries of gilt and lookiug-glass, in
I>arge size, $10; medinm. an apartment au second or au iroisieim at two
$8 60, with cog-wheelB. nnd
vulcanized India • rubber hundred and fifty francs a month. He may
rolls. Warranted the best have a tailor or a grisette nnder the same roof
MTingcr ever offered to the above him, but the social balance isrestoredby
public. Send for illnstnted
circular. R. C. BKOWK- the fact that there is a ]V£arqnis or a Minister of
IXG, 347 Broadway, N. Y. State below him.
Lord Bacon says: " Houses are built to live
in, and not to look on; therefore let use be pre-
THE HOUSES WE LIVE IN. ferred before uniformity, except where both may

T HERE is no country in the world where be had. Leave tho goodly fabrics of houses for
there are so many large and flne bouses, in beauty only to the enchanted palaces of the
proportion to tho number of inhabitants, as in poets, who build them with small cost." It
these United States. This is owing, doubtless might seem too obvious that houses are built to
to some extent, to the greater freedom of enter- live in and not to look on torequirethe sanction
prise, and the more general difl'usion of wealth of the great Bacon to impress the truth, were it
among our countiymen. Apart, however, from not that we Americans practically deny it. ' We
the fact that we have so many thriving fellow- build onr houses mainly for the purpose of being
citizens who have the means of faring sumptu- looked on. They are in nine cases out of ten
ously, there is snch a passion for erecting, and constructed to attract notice and impress tho be-
living in, big houses that it seeks gratification holder with the idea of the importance of their
without regard to prudence or comfort. inhabitants. Eager as we are for the reality of
That iiTesistihle Asmodcus, the tax-gatherer, worldly success, we are still more intent upon
to whom no door is closed, against whom the making a show of it. The imposing hoosc,
iron-chest, so defiant-of burglar and inpendiary, rising high in the fashionable thoroughfare, ar-
is not proof, and whose scrutiny penetrates even rests the attention of the passer or the visitor,
seal and envelope, has lately made somo startling and the magnitude, the material, the elaborate
disclosures. His revelations of the enormous ornamentation, and the choice situation, sug-
yearly incomes of a few, varying from one mill- gest to his calculating instincts the costliness
ion eight hundred thousand to a score of thou- of the structure. The purpose of tho holder is
gained. The splendid banner he has hung upon Mrs, Jenkins opposite, who kept her carriage
his outer wall passes with the casual observer for a and was of course a desirable acquaintance, had
proof of thefetreugthwithin. The more thorough called twice upon Mrs. Higgins next door, who
recbnnoissance of the inevitable tax-gatherer, had only moved there last May, while she had
however, will penetrate the showy semblance of never called upon herself though she had been
prosperity, and probably reveal the reality of a nearly two years in the peighborhood, began to be
starving garrison. nncomfoi'table. The little house, which-she had
The big and costly house being accepted as atfirstpronounced to be " a perfect bijou—just the"
the visible sign of wealth has naturally become, place for us, so neat, so comfortable, so delight-
in a land where riches alone give rank, a mark fully easy,to keep in order"—now became " a n
of social distinction. A city dame, whose hus- old rickety bam, so old-fashioned, so impossi-
band's fortune had expanded enormously by vir- ble to make decent, though she and Bridget
tue of Government contracts, was heard lately worked their arms off with sweeping and scrub-
to boast that she had none but *'brown-stone" Ling from morning until night." The children,
houses on her visiting list. We need not re- too, were no longer satisfied; for Tom had been
mind our fashionable readers that it is the house, called a poor boy by Master Augustus Jenkins,
and not the occupant, which is visited. Friend- and told by that young aristocrat that his mo-
.ship and hospitality, the veritable household gods ther had forbid him playing with "them peo-
of onr ancient simple homes, have forsaken a ple's children which lived in the old two-story
faithless generation, and the gilded idols of fash- house opposite." Miss Sophronia Jenkins, too,
ion have taken their places. The visitor—we had grossly insulted little Mary at school, by say-
do not say friend, for the name is hardly heard ing that " h e r father was not respectable; for be
nowadays by ears polite—never fails of her fash- lived in nothing but a two-story house, and her
ionable devotion, wherever a sufficiently fine mother had told her so."
temjile invites her worship. The whole struc- Our friend, beset by these domestic com-
ture commands her ceremonious reverence; she plaints, began to be uneasy himself, and there-
bows down before the lofty walls and columns fore readily consented to his wife's proposition
of stone, and on entering, wliile muttering the to move. He was forgoing to the eastern part
formula of the breviary of fashion, fixes her eyes of tbe city, where tliere arc still enough of those
in pious ecstasy upon the rose-wood and ormolu old-fashioned two-story houses, occupied by
idols of her adoration. some sturdy ancient citizens or resolute Quakers,
So ])revalent is the association of a big and to keep a prudent man in countenance. His
costly house with the idea of social distinction wife, however, resisted, and finally her husband
that the very children confound the two. The. was forced to give in, and take a three-story
school girls atid boys, in their worst moments, house, where he pines away solitary in a base-
when, forsaking their hatuM childhood, they be- ment, hanng been forced, in consequence of
come unnaturally like men -and women, will his increased rent, to give up bis friends, his
boast a superiority o\'er their comrades on the sherry, and cigars.
score of the magnitude and expensiveness of * Mothers who have marketable daughters to
their parents' houses. In the earlier days of New dispose of hold that a large house in a fashiona-
York a three-stoiy house was the badge of the ble quarter is indispensable as a show-place for
aristocrat, and a Iwo-story one the mark of the the exhibition of them and the attraction of
pariah. Now, girls and boys, we are told, are good bidders. There is many an otherwise i>T\i-
nobodies at a fashionable school, if their parents dent paieiifamilias who, unable to resist his wife's
don't live in four or five story houses with bro^vn- argumentative elociuenco on this point, has
stone fronts. stretched his income to its utmost elasticity, in
A frjend of ours, a man of moderate, income order to give his darling Mary Anne the adr
and simple but refined tastes, finding a small vantage of a " bringing out" under the favorable
honse with a rent pro})ortionate to his .means, influence of a brown-stone front. We advise
took it. The domicile was suhstantially and the unwary youth to be on his guard against the
even handsomely constructed, and in every re- showy mansions of Fifth Avenue and Madison
spect suitable to the decorous and prudent house- Square as $o many marriage-traps to catch the
hold which occupied it. Though .sufliciently uxorionsly disposed; or, at any rate, we would
capacious for all the requirements of such a fam- recommend him, before he ventures to fn^ly
ily, it chanced to be the smallest house in the nibble at the savory beauties within, to consult
street. It had been left in its original two-story the income-tax book, and find out whether the
diminutiveness,-while its modest contemporaries bait is as substantial as it would seem to be.
had been either ambitiously elevated, or torn The obvious effect of people living in houses
down to make way for more imposing struc- too expensive for their means, provided their
tures, which now rose high above on either side establishments are proportionably sustained, is
and opposite tho comparatively humble resi- bankruptcy. The fine city mansions are prob-
dence of onr friend. Cheered by the genial ably tho most frequent causes of the ruin of
warmth of his own happy fireside, his comfort tbe merchant and tradesman. They are re-
was not chilled by tlie shadow thrown upon his sponsible too, undoubtedly, for much fraud and
little hou.sc by its lofty neighbors. His wife, crime. Those of small income, living in large
however, was more sensitive; and finding that and fine houses, who contrive to strike a balance
between their credit anil debit accounts and es-
cape disgrace and dishonor, arc, however, forced
to such shifts as they would blush to own. The
largo rent can only be paid by n reduction of
other expenses of living. The builder or land-
lord receives that which should go to tho butch-
er ; and'in many an expansive mansion there is
but a lean larder. If the beef and mutton are not
curtailed the more refined necessities oF life must
be forgone. Literature, taste, hospitality, and
friendship are thus shut out by those great walls
of stone. Books, pictures, friends—not mere
visitors—and all such purifying influences and
sweeteners of life, are given up for the posses-
sion of a senseless mass of so many feet of brick
and mortar, brown-stone or marble, as it may
be.
The big house and small income present an
incongruity which is no less offensive to taste
than opposed to all economy and comfort of life.
How often do wo And an imposing mansion only
half occupied by the family which possesses it!
With the larger part of tho anniuil revenue ab-
sorbed by the rental, there is but little left for
household expenses. The number of servonts
is reduced to a minimum, and the care of tlfc
four stories of brick and brown-stone left to the
hard-tasked energies of a couple of raw Irish
girls or of a single maid-of-all-work. Such es-
tablishments, of however imposing an exterior,
are easily detected even by those upon whom
they are designed to impose. You've only to
ring the bell, when—as Mary tho cook is up to
her shoulders in soap-suds, and Bridget, her
only coadjutor, is minding the baby, or peeling
the potatoes, or setting the table, or making
Master Tom's bed in the fourth story back-room
—^you are left so long to tbe conteiaplation of the
resplendent portal of the magnificent structure,
that you suspect at once that the domestic af-
fairs within are not so prosperous as tbe show
without would indicate. Your suspicion is con-
firmed when Mary, by a scrutinizing peep from
the area below, and Briilget from the garret-
window above, having stecisficd themselves that
you are neither the expected chimney-sweep nor
the daily beggar, the palatial door is finally
opened. This, however, is not effected until
after a severe and protracted domestic commo-
tion discernible even by the visitor at the door,
from the reiterated cries of, "Bridget! Mary!
Mary! Bridget! there's some one at the door!"
the clanging of dropped sauccrpans, the empty-
ing of coal-scuttles, the suppressed squalling of
baby, and the slamming of doors. When the
grand portal is finally otlcned, and you might
naturally expect to face some venerable senes-
chal or liveried porter, or at least a decent Pat-
rick or a tidy Bridget, yon find yourself-i-wlth
a very pereeptible odor of soap-suds or baby—
suddenly plunged into a cloud of steam or dust,
through which smutty cook or disheveled maid
is dimly visible. , who so pressingly when in London or Paris in-
In nine-tenths of the large and showy city
houses the main stories might be cut ont, and
the garrets let down upon the basements not
unly without a diminution but with an increase
in fact of tho comfort of the pretended occu-
pants. The chief floor of most of these man-
sions is merely kept ns a store-room, for a stock
of upholstery too fine and costly for use, for which,
in truth, it never was intended. The possess-
ors do not know or believe
•^'Tis use alone that sanctifies expense,
And splendor bonrows all her rays from sense."
The gilt, damask, and rose-wood, and the spa-
cious apartments which they set off so garish-
ly,- are for no other purpose than to excite the
admiration and envy of an occasional fool of
fashion during a half hour's visit, or to loan
once a year or so to some thousand young debau-
chees of both sexes, who do us the honor of dan-
cing and feasting, and otherwise holding their
nightly revels in our houses, in the course of
each fashionable season.
Pope, in one of his letters, speaks of a fash-
ionable woman who "visits those whom she
would hang in her paMbn or beggar in her
play." Our fashionable women may not be so
actively wicked, but we believe them so passive-
ly obdurate that they would not care if those
whom they visited were cither hanged or beg-
gared. How can they be otherwise than indif-
ferent to the fate of those, whom they do not
know, see but rarely, and only recognize by the
pass-words and badges of fiisbion? Yet it is
for such that onr Mrs. Smiths and Joneses, oth-
wise sensible and pnident housewives, sacrifice
so much of their domestic comfort. In order to
have a mansion sufficiently lofty to rise to the
standard of fashionable height, and rooms spa-
cious and resplendent enough to hold the swell-
ing importance and catbh the fastidious eye of
the modish, tbey restrict themselves and their
families to the narrowest quarters and the short-
est commons. In order to sustain the big house
with a limited income, tho family is kept in the
basement, that the wear and t6ar of the super-
fine parlors may be avoided, the splendor of
which is so cosy to tarnish nnd too expensive to
renew. These show-places have been known to
retain their original odor of now carpet and
fresh varnish for years, so carefully have they
been closed to daily human habitation. We
know of nothing so repellent qf all good fellow-
ship as this smell of the upholsterer, which, by
its predominance, is a sure indication of a want
of the free atmosphere of hospitality. A whiff
from the kitchen, or even a blast from a pipe or
a cigar, would be savory in comparison. They
would be satisfactory proofs, however gross, of
some life in the bouse.
Strangers are surprised to find how chary wo
Americans, who inhabit such large houses, are
of our hospitality. They liaturally think that
with all this expansiA-eness of space there must
be largeness of entertainment. The foreign vis-
itor is therefore disappointed that Mr. Jones
vited him to call upon him—" Smith and Jones,
1000 Park Place"—never asks him to dino at
his fine mansion up town. The fact is, how-
ever, that Jones finds that his big house costs The big town-house to which every citizen
him so''much to possess that he can not afford aspires, and for the possession of which he is
to live in it himself, much less entertain stran- willing to make such sacrifices, has really, after
gers. Eveiy thing but the structure itself, all, but little to commend it on the score of
which is at a maximum, is reduced to a minimum^ taste. The division of the land into oblong
He has but two servants, or three, if you count parallelograms, which may be necessary for the
his wife, as yon may well do, for the big house convenience of city building, is not favt)rable to
keeps her as busy as the rest. Ho can never the picturesque. This original disadvantage is
dine at homo, except on Sundays, for it is too increased by the passion of our aspiring citizens
troublesome and expensive to prepare a regular for big hoQses. Unable from the narrowness of
dinner each day. He has neither a choice bit in the lot to expand the structure laterally, they
his larder, nor a bottle of wine in his cellar, nor raise it longitudinally to such an excess that it
any thing else wherewith to entertain a friend, becomes so disproportionately high as to apjiear
unless it may be the conversation of Mrs. Jones, to be in danger of toppling over, which it prob-
who is more copious than interesting npon her ably would do were not its equilibrium sustained
favorite subject of gentility. So he lives with- by its equally lofty neighbors. The taste and
out friends, as he probably does without books sense of proportion of our architects are con-
nnd pictures, for he can not afford them. We stantly outraged by the inordinate demands of
cab conceive of nothing more miserable than their ambitions patrons for height. What care
such an existence, and we can not imagine a they for taste and proportion ? They want mag-
more absurd act than to raise tall monuments nitude aud show. The largest possible visible
of stone to our vanity at a cost which beggara us manifestation of expense is their object. Tlicy
for life. Let us look for a moment at another consequently insist that as much stone shall be
picture. piled up as a lot twenty-five feet by a hundred
V Sydney Smith had a church-living bestowed can possibly hold; *' the whole a labored quar-
upon, him somewhere in Yorkshire, so far out ry above ground.". The laws of proportion aro
of the wajrthat " i t was actually," as he humor- of course forced.to yield to the laws of trade,
ously remarked^ "twfelvfe miles from^a.lemon:" and such houses are supplied as the market de-
As there was no parsonage-h6tise hb was bbliged mands. "^ Thus our cities are shadowed by long
to build one. " 1 sent for an architect," he rows of disproportionately high bouses, which
says; " b e produced plans which would have remind us of those gawky, overgrown youths
ruined me. I made him my bow: ' You build who have ex])ended so much of their vigor in
for glory. Sir; I, for use.' I returned him his the exces.cire increase of their height that they
plans, with five-and-twenty pounds, and sat have none left for the due expansion of their
down in m^ thinking-chair, and in a few hours girth.
Mrs. Sydney and I concocted a plan which has A man's character, it is often said, is repre-
produced wliat I call the model of parsonage- sented by the house he builds. If this saying
houses." Although some people called the house be true a wondrous uniformity of character must
ugly, all agreed that it Avas the most convenient [irevail among our citizens. Almost all the
of residences, and certainly none ever contained, large city-houses are alike, but each has, not-
a merrier and happier family. "Economy,"' withstanding, a very decided and significant ex-
wrote his daughter, " i n the estimation of com- pression. " We cost ever so many thousand
mon minds, often means the absence of all taste dollars," they all say as emphatically as the
and comfort; my father had the rare art to com- owners themselves would declare if they had
bine it with both. For instance, he found it your ear. The preiidling sentiment in their
added much to the expense of bi^ilding to have construction lias been the show of expense, and
high walls; he therefore threw the whole space this is expressed in every foot of the superfine
of the roof into his bedrooms, coved tbe ceil- structure from foundation t6 chimney. The in-
ings and papered them, and thus they- were all ordinate height, the elaborately-Avorked surface,
airy, gay, cheap, and pretty. Cornices he found the fioridness and superfluity of ornamentation,
expensive; so not one in the house; but the the great impending cornice, the lofty windows
paper border thrown on the ceiling, with a line of plate-glass, the heavily-embossed door, the
of shade under it. This relieved the eye and columnar portal, and the ambitious elegance
atoned for their absence. Marble - chimney- of the whole front are all, and were meant to
pieces were too dear; so he hunted out a cheap, be, so many visible items of cost. You can sec
warm-looking Portland stone, had them cut aft- the dollars all over, and no one ever passes our
er his own model, and the result was to produce fine bouses without instinctively estimating the
some of tho most cheerful, comfortable-looking price in so much money. ." What a fine house
fire-places I remember, for as many shillings as Mr. Jenkins has; it must have cost thirty or
the marble ones would have cost hirt pounds." forty thousand dollars!" as it may be, is the or-
In his humble home in Yorkshire Sydney dinary remark of the observer, as the sum he
Smith spent some of his most happy and re- paid for it is the first announcement of Mr. Jen-
spected years. He had always a welcome for kins himself, to a^^ admiring guest.
his friends, among whom were great lords and AVhere the intention of the architect, in sym-
statesmen, and entertained them simply but pathy with his ostentatious employer, is to im-
tastefully and substantially.; press upon his structure the idea of expense ho
seldom fails. The gross sentiment is readily I as any in the world. We allude more particu-
made manifest;. for he has only to exhibit ex- larly to the conveniences for heating, supplying
tent of work and quantity of costly material, or water, and facilitating labor. The furnace was
the appeanince of them, to produce tbe desired never a favorite of ours, for it generally keeps
effect. With the predominating motive for con- the house too hot and dry; but tbe severity of
structing the superfine houses of tho city we do the past winter has reconciled ns almost to the
not expect to find grace, beauty, or fitness, and highest degree possible of artificial, temperature.
we are not disappointed. Il is, morcovei'j one of the necessities of a big
Most of our large city houses have especial- mansion with a comparatively poor occupant, for
ly ugly cornices. They are disproportionately without the furnace he must either freeze or
heavy, and repel us like the frown of some bee- ruin himself by a multiplicity of fires. Ordina-
tle-browed churl. The roofs, too, were univers- rily there is deficiency of means of ventilation.
ally nnbecoming until the late introduction of These should be compulsory, for if left to the
the French top. Our great bpuses, tall as they will of the chilly tenants of the house they are
are, look for the most part only like unfinished suit not to avail themselves of them.
structures. Viewed from a height, the whole The American rage for facilitating labor has
city appears to be composed of a confused mass induced various contrivances which are more
of buildings which had been irregularly sawed favorable to the ease of the servants than to the
off above. The French roof gives a complete- comforts of their employers. The call-pipes
ness to each house that secures its individuality and dumb-waiters are our abomination; but per-
and impresses greater dignity u{ion the whole. haps they arc indispensable where people of
Our street views, particularly in the fashion- moderate means live in big houses. They may
able quarters, are exceedingly sombre, though be necessary to relieve the overtasked arms and
our city atmospheres are remarkably clear and legs of tbe scanty service of tho establishment;
favorable to brilliaTicy of effect. This is owing but they approximate too closely the society of
to the ponderous uniformity of our long rows the kitchen and that of the parlor, and have too
of large houses, which shadow tho causeways ninny jars, shrieks, and other noises of their
without relief from diversity of character or in- own to 1)0 favorable to domestic repose.
dividuality of expression. If wo can not haA'O The inevitable parallelogram of the lot ne-
the endless variations of grace and beanty, let cessitates straight lines, and the aspiring lofti-
each man at least give us his own idea, absurd ness of our big houses induces a disproportionate
as it may be, and not that of all his neighbors. height, which deprive the apartments of that
A diversified grotesquencss would be better than snugness and comfort fonnd in rooms of lower
a dull uniformity. ceilings and less regolar sides. The halls and
There is, moreover, about most of our grand other useful parts of the house are often sacri-
houses an aspect of desertion, or want of life, ficed for the show-rooms, to which we can not
which is by no means enlivening to the thorough- allude without condemning them. The decora-
fare. This is owing to the fact that the habit- tions of the interior of our fine houses, like those
able parts of tho liouse are cither in the rear or of the exterior, are generally excessive, heavy;
the basement, and that the main portions fticing and unmeaning, but further remark upon them
on the street aro devoted to the show-rooms, and the furnitm-e may be left to a future occa-
which are kept closed except on rare occasions. sion.
At night, especially, whole rows of the finest That the occupants of such houses as we have
mansions, in the best squares and streets, are described should have but little affection for
hid in a lugubrious cloud of darkness, without them is not surprising. The readiness with
a glimmer hardly.of light, except where, here which they part with them, so characteristic
and there, a house may be illuminated by the of our fellow-citizens, shows how slight is their
glare of a fashionable revel. We suspect that attachment. In other countries, and so it was
the occupants are, for tho most part, in the base- in earlier times in our own, the house is deemed
ments on a severe regimen of restricted fire and a sacred place. Law, so authoritative every
gas, doing penance for the high cost or rents of where else, confesses itself powerless before the
their fine houses. closed door of the citizen. This is a precinct
Many striking street effects are lost for want that it considers too holy to violate, even for the
of tasteful adaptation of the houso to its site. ends of justice. An American or an English-
The corners, which afford snch fine opportuni- man within his own house bids defiance to the
ties for architectural display, are. generally term- sheriff and a.11 his officers. " An Englishman's
inated by sharp aiigles, with ugly bare walls of house is his castle," is Jlohn Bull's proudest
brick or stone. The house rows thus often look boast; and from our 'Common inheritance of civil
as if thoy had been sawed off to make way for rights, might be our own if we cared to make it.
tho street. In European cities the comers are The great Earl of Chatham said: " Every man's
studiously enriched wilh cuived and scnlptured house is called his castle. Why ? Because it
balconies, statues, monuments, fountains, and is surrounded by a moat, or defended by a wall ?
other elaborate and graceful works of art. No. It may bo a straw-built hut; tho wind
The internal arrangements of our houses are may whistle around it, tho rain may enter it,
for the most part ingeniously contrived, for but tho king can not." •
American mechanics are ns cunning artificers We might suppose, apart from the reverential
sanction of the law, that a man's house Would are filled with homeless wanderers in the shape
become so endeared to him that he wonld hard- of thriAring citizens, among whom some of the
ly quit it except on compblsion. There are ties millionaires of the city ore the most conspicuous.
which naturally attach a man closer than hooks Franklin said that "three moves are equal to
of steel to the place in which he and his family one fire." Our practical philosopher, as was,
have passed much of their daily life. THe first his wont, only regarded the subject in it% mate-
taste of connubial happiness, tho birth of chil- rial aspect. These frequent changes of resi-
dren, the dbath of a loved one, the joys and evim dence, however, have more serious consequences
the sorrows of domestic existence, the inter- than the mere injU^ or loss of so much property.
coui-se of friends, and the intimacy of home, as- They are destructiA'e of much of that home-feel-
sociated as they must be with the honse in which ing which is so essential to the education of the
a man has lived long enough to experience them, affections and moral sentiments. In childhood
wonld, it might be supposed, endear to his heart the faculty of observation is the most prominent,
every stone and rafter in it. Bnt our citizens and it is through'^tbis that not only the head but
do not live long enough in their houses to form the heart of the child is first cultiA-atcd. Mate-
such ties. The American takes his new wife to rial things, being the objects upon which this
one, and, after his first-born, each of the rest of early faculty is exercised, become of great im-
his children sees the light probably for the first portance. The honse, the room, and the pieces
time in a succession of others. We know of a of furniture, however insignificant in themsehes,
family of ten children, no two of whom were being associated in the mind of the child Avith
bom in the same honse. In coarse of this rapid all the affections of home, rise to the dignity of
itineracy there can bo no time for the associa- great moral influences. The impressions they
tions and affections of life to crystallize into that make upon the child are so deep that they resist
gem of existence, the home. Each of our citi- the utmost corrosiveness of time. The memory
zens lives in many houses, but lives not long of the old as well as the young forever clings to
enough ait'either to form a single home. the narrow scene of the joys and sorrows of
We know.a gentlemany'bom and bred in and childhood. The man of sensibility not only
a permanent citizen of ISew York, with money never forgets, but never ceases to love the most
enough to have and to bold the fiiiest mansion 1 insignificant object associated with his early life.
in it, who leads such a migratory life that he " 1 should hardly care," wrote Pope in one of
has actually lived in three houses and three ho- his letters, *' to have an old post pulled up that
tels in less than eighteen months. Two of the I remembered ever since I Avas a child." These
houses were rcady-fumishcd, each of which he impressions, so important in their moral influ-
rented for six, and the third was a villa in the ence, can hardly be made upon the heart of a
country, which he occupied for three months; child, however impressible, Avhose parents " live
the rest of the time was miscellaneously spent in in three houses and three hotels in the course of
shifting his movabliss, in which his wife and fam- eighteen months." The memory of his unset-
ily, from their capacity of being moved, may be tled childhood must be too turbid to reflect a
included, from caravansary to caraA-ansary. His distinct image of any kind.
children can have no more idea of a home than Writers of the imagination, poets, and novel-
so many erratic cuckoos. ists miake a large use of the natural association
The mania for change of residence, great as of inanimate objects with the thoughts and af-
it has always been,! has been excited to an un- fections, and thus produce some of their most
usual excess just now by the scarcity of houses, striking effects. Their characters, indeed, would
the increased demand for them, and the conse- be as "airy nothings," inappreciable by the or-
quent high rents. I t is no unusual thing for a dinary reader without a "local habitation."
citizen, though so rich that he might be supposed Scott and Dickens among English, and Haw-
to be beyond the temptation, td abandon at a thorne among American writers; may be taken
moment's notice his house and all his household as prominent examples of authors who are re-
goods to the first stranger Avho has ihe (oily to markable for the minute descriptions of the hab-
pay tho inordinate sum demanded for their six itations of their imaginary personages. The
months* use. SeVen and eight hundred dollars very titles of some of their works, as " Bleak
a month nre not seldom asked for some of onr House,'^ " T h e Old Manor," and " T h e House
fine city houses and their superfine upholstery. with Seven Gables," show how prominent a feat-
The price, high however as it may be, does not ure the mere dAvelling is of their fancy pictures.
deter takers, Avho in fact are so eager and ready In real life, too, the same association is so
Avith their money that their offers snrpnss even strong and so universal that the humblest roofs
tho demands. Many of our citizens, to Avhom which haA'e once covered those who have risen
a few thousand dollars moM| or less can be of to fame are revered by all. Thus Shakspearo's
little account; have such.an inveterate habit of lowly birth-place and Washington's Avooden
trade that, unable to resist a good baigain, they home haA-e become places sacred to the hearts
trade awtiyi their homes without a momentary of nations. The Americans are noted as among
regret. Theyan^ fact chuckle over their smart- the most earnest Avorshiiiers of these venerable
7iess and good luck. The consequence i^ that relics. It would therefore seem the more sur-
•here has been a general exodus from several of prising that they shonld have so little respect
the most fashionable quarters, and the hotels for their own private sanctuaries, which they
desecrate as if they had lost all faith in the ex- knights and courtly dames, with ushers, servera,
istence of the household gods. Their want of and seneschals; and yet it Avas but the other
reverence can only be accounted for by the fact night that an owl flew in hither, and mistook it
that their houses are show-places and not homes for a barn
—constructed to display their wealth, not to " Next the parlor lies the pigeon-house, by
live in. the side of which runs an entry that leads on
Thoqgh thirty years ago there were bnt very one hand and the other into a bedchamber, a
few city houses which cost over ten thousand buttery, and a small hall called the chaplain's
dollars each, now there are long rows and solid study. Then foIloAV a brew-bouse, a little green
blocks of mansions which are valued at tivQ and and gilt parlor, and the great stairs, under which
ten times that amount. More and more ex- is the dairy. A little further on the right, the
pensiA'e structures are rising each day. A suc- servants' hall; and by the side of it, np six steps,
cessful tradesman is bnilding a house for his own the old lady's closet, which has a lattice into the
occupation which, it is said, will cost half a said hall, that while die said her prayers she
million of dollars at least. As ho is a citi- might cast an eye on the men and maids. There
zen who counts his income by millions, it may are upon this ground-floor in all tiventy-four
be supposed that ho can not only well afford to apartments, hard to be distinguished by partic-
build but to live in it. There is a white marble ular names.
stable in New York which is reported to have V All the upper story has for many years had
cost thirty or forty thousand dollars, but could no other inhabitants than certain rats, whose
not now be built for twice that amount. What very age renders them worthy of this venerable
a houso pro{tortion&te in dignity to the palatial mansion
habitation of his horses will cost the sumptuous " I had never seen half what I have described
proprietor when he builds one may be left to the but for an old starched gray-headed steward,
wildest conjecture. Avlio is as much an antiquity as any in the place,
Pope, in one of his letters to Lady ilary and looks like an old family picture walked out
Wortley Montagu, gives a memorable descrip- of its frame. He failed not, as we passed from
tion of a great house of the baronial times of room to room, to relate scA'crol memoirs of the
Old England. ' Its munificent provisions for family; but his observations were particularly
hospitality may bo an example to tbe swelling curious in the cellar: he showed Avhere stood
projirietors of our largo mansions, as its decay- the triple roAvs of buttdof sack, and AA'here were
ing greatness may be a lesson of humility. ranged the bottles of tent for toasts in the morn-
"You must expect nothing regidar in my de- ing. He pointed to the stands that.supported
scription," wrote Pope, " of a house that seems the iron-hooped hogsheads of strong beer; then
to be built before rules Avcre in fashion; the stepping to a comer he lugged out the tattered
Avhole is so disjointed, and the parts so detached fragment of an unframed picture. • This,' says
from each other, and yet so joining agaiii one he, with tears in his eyes, * was from Sir Thom-
can not t d l how, that (in a poetical fit) you as, once master of the drink I told you of. He
Avould imagine it had been a village in Am- had two sons (poor young masters!) that ncA'cr
phion's time Avhere tAventy cottages had taken a arrived at the age of this beer; they both fell
dance together, Avere all out, and stood still in ill in this A'ery cellar, and never went out upon
amazement e\-er since. A stranger would be their own legs.'"
grievously disappointed Avho should'CA'cr think Pope found this old mansion an excellent
to get into this house the right Avay: one would place for retirement and study, and translated
expect, after entering through the porch, to be " a great deal" of his Homer there, six hundred
let into the hall. Alas! nothing less; you find years from tho time it was first built. The ven-
yourself in a brew-house. From the parlor you emble ruin still exists, for Hawthorne, in his last
think to step into the drawing-room; bnt upon book—"Our English Home"—records a visit to
opening the iron-nailed door you are convinced it. It may be safely presumed that our flimsy
by a flight of birds about your ears and a cloud and gaudy mansions will not last for centuries,
of dust in your eyes that it is the pigeon- nnd iu their decay be chosen as meet places for
house poets to Avork in.
" Tho great hall is high and spacious, flanked
with long-tables, images of ancient hospitality. AGEMTS W A N T E D .
Here is one vast arched window, beauti- Live Agents wanted every where. If you want em-
ployment
fully darkened with divers scutcheons of painted address, and and a good chance to make money, send your
receive my circular, fide, by mall.
glass One shining pane bears date 12S6. BENJAMIN VV. HirOHCiKJK,
The youthful face of Dame Elinor owes more 14 Chambers Street, New York.
to this single piece than to all the glasses she
ever consulted in her life. Who can say after
this that glass is frail, when it is not half so per- NEW BRICK MACHINE,
ishable ds human beauty or glory? And oneInbriok-iniikcr
BuccesHftil operation since ISJSl. fommon labor witli
only required. Worked by one man, it
yet must not one sigh to reflect that the most mnkes 40(10 i>er day; by liorse, 7000 to 12,000; by steiini,
16,000 to 25,000. Cost, from $100 to $700. I'or furtlicr
authentic record of so ancient a family should particulars, in a paniphh't.^ giving full Insf ruction.'^ on brick
lie at the mercy of CA'ery boy that throws a stone ? settinnrand burning, with wood or cml, nddrces, fondinir
In this hall, in former days, have dined gartered four sumps, FRANCIS U. SMITII, Dox 656, Baltimore.
 BseiQN Ton EEBIHENUE.

HOW TO REDEEM WOMAN'S PROFESSION FROM DISHONOR.

I N this [Magazine for November, 1864, it was lamentation OA'er the decay of the female con-
shoAvn that woman's distinctive profession in- stitution and the ruined health of both women
cludes tliree departments—the training of the and girls. At tbe same time vast numbers are
mind in childhood, the nursing of infants and Avithout honorable compensating employment,
of the sick, and all the handicrafts and manage- so that in the wealthy circles unmarried Avomen
ment of the family state. With perhaps the ex- suffer from aimless vacuity, and in the poorer
ception of the school training of children, it was classes from unrequited toil and consequent
claimed that the profession of woman is socially degradation and irice.
disgraced, so that no Avoman of culture and re- It is belicA'cd that the remedy for all these
finement, in the wealthy classes,would resort to evils is not in leading women into the pron
cooking, chamber-work, or nursing infants and fessions and business of men, by which many
the sick for a livelihood, scarcely any more philanthropists are now aiming to remedy theiir
than tlieir brothel's would resort to burglary or sufferings, but to train A\'oman properly for heir
piracy. OAvn proper business, and then to secure to he:r
It was shown also that women are not trained the honor and profit which men gain in their
for their profe.ssion ns men nre for theirs; that professions.
there is no proA'ision made for it in iiublic or A young man finds endowed institutions alii
private schools; and tlmt every school, as AVCII over the land, ottering a home ond a good sal-
as other social influence, tends at once to dis- ary for life for teaching only one or two branch-
grace woman's profession and to destroy her es to only ono class for one or tAvo hours a day.
health. Is there any reason why his highly-educated sis-
Woman, as well as man, Avas made to work; ter should not have similar opportunities if she
and her Maker has adapted her body to its ap- does not many or is a AvidoAV?
propriate labor. The tending of children and The public and private high schools have filled
doing house-work exercise those very muscles the country with w-omen of high culture. The
which are most important to womanhood; while unequal distribution of the sexes and a dread-
neglecting to exercise the arms and trank causes ful Avar must enforce a single life on many
dangerous debility in most delicate organs. thousands. Many are widoAvs with families;
Our early mothers worked and trained their many others would gladly rear the orphan chil-
daughters to work, and thus became healthy, dren of relatives and friends or of our slaugh-
energetic, and cheerful. Bnt in these days, tered heroes. Why should not such have as
young girls, in the Avealthy classes, do not use good adA'untages to do so as if they were
the muscles of their body and arms in domestic men?
labor or in any other Avay. Instead of this, study Each department of woman's profession is ft
and reading stimulate the brain and nerves to science and art as much as laAv, medicine, or
debility by excess, Avliile the muscles grow Aveak divinity. They are equal also in importance.
for Avant of exercise. Thus the Avhole constitu- Why should they not be equally honored by a
tion is Aveakened. liberal course of training and competent emolu-
In consequence of this there is a universal ment ?
 When men seek to elevate their OAvn profes- qualified for such domestic duties, could soon
sion they ondoAv professorships so as to secure command prices equal to artists in music, danc-
nen of the highest culture to study and teach it ing, and drawing, and an equal social position.
IS a science and art. To secure all this, there needs only system-
At one time the fanner's profession was with- atic plans and efforts such as American Avomen
out skill, honor, or liberal reward. To raise it are fully competent to organize and carry iuto
to an honored art and science, endowments have successful operation. Institutions should be es-
been given to sustain men of culture and learn- tablished where Avomen Avill be trained to be
ing to lecture, practice, and teach; and now scientific, healthful, and economical cooks; to
this business is taking rank as an honorable and be intelligent, loving, and careful nurses of
I'emuuerative profession. young children; to be skillful seamstresses and
Let woman's profession be thns honored and mantua-makers, and yet prepared so to aid in
its disgrace would speedily be ended. Let en- the active family work as not to injure their
loAved institutions be provided to sustain Avomen health by exclusive sedentary employments.
)f high culture to study, practice, and teach all So, too, there should be institutions to edu-
;he branches included in Avoman's profession cate AA'omen not only as physicians for their own
properly. Let each of our large cities and sex, but to be skillful and tender nurses of the
;oAvns have at least one institution so endowed, sick. And when all these important offices of
uid then there would be created a liberal pro- Avomen are filled, and our school-rooms well
fession for highly-cultivated Avomen suited to supplied, there will be few women remaining to
;heir nature, and meeting the Avaiits of those urge into the professions of men.
ivho are unmarried or widowed; such a profes- This project Avill, of course, be met with the
iion as their brothers and fathers now enjoy inquiry. How can this kind of training be car-
is college professors in educating men. ried on in schools ? Is it not the part that be-
Woman's business being thus honored and longs to mothers in the family, and not to the
:aught in the higher institutions the loAver school ?
ichools would follow, and thus women of the To this it is replied that mothers have not
joorer classes also Avould be properly trained been trained themseh-es, and so can not teach
or their proper business. And AA'hen thus properly. Moreover, Avitli poor servants, feeble
Tained they would find abundant and compen- health, and multiplied cares, they can not do it.
lating employment; for the universal complaint If a honse is built for servants, nnd servants
)f all Avho try to find employment for poor wo- employed, it is as much as a Avoman can do to
[uen is, that they are not trained to do any kind superintend all the complicated duties of Avife,
of Avoman's Avork properly, and that this is the mother, and housekeeper, without attempting
fatal difficulty.* to teach what she herself never was properly
There is as much need for training vfovacn. for taught to do. Moreover, when there are serv-
the distinctiA'C duties of the family as there is of ants enough to do the Avork, the daughters of a
training boys for their different trades. A family can not be made to take their places.
liousekeeper or a cook, who has been taught How can the parents turn off the servants and
to economize jn using and preserving family put the daughters in their places? Ei'ery mo-
stores and fuel, can supply a table at half the ther who superintends a family of children and
expense incurred by an untrained, inexperi- servants in the present style of living in the more
Qnced hand. Avealthy classes, Avill say it is impossible for her
A properly trained nurse for young children to train her daughters properly in all branches
would relieve a mother of half her care as to the of woman's business.
health and training of her children; while an But Avhatever otujht to be can be done, and
ignorant, unfaithful one rather adds to her re- American women, if they undertake, can dis-
sponsibilities. coA'er the best way.
A well-educated, gentle, and faithful nurse Queen Victoria set up schools for young wo-
for the sick is a treasure in any community as men to bo trained not only to read and write,
rare as it is A-aluable. but to perform all the work of Avoman in n thor-
A woman of education and refinement Avho ough and proper manner. Her nobility follow-
can cut and fit dresses, make bonnets, make ed her example, and Avith success.
and mend all household stuffs econohiically, and American Avomen can do the same, and in a
at the same time help in cooking, and in keep- Avay adapted to our democratic system, as the
ing chambers and parlors in tasteful order, is a Queen's is adapted to the aristocratic. In an
treasure that Avealth rarely can command at any aristocracy it is assumed that one class is to
price. work for tho benefit and enjoyment of an upper
Women of good sense and culture, if highly class. In a democracy it is assumed that every
class is to work for their OAVU welfare and en-
* A lady at the head of one of the largest mantua-niak-
ing establishments in New York, employing over one hun- joyment. In an aristocracy work is dishonor-
dred nnd fifty women and girls, informed the writer that ed, in a democracy it is honored. In an aris-
her greatest difliculty is In finding women taught to work tocracy it is assumed as a distinctive mark of
properly; nnd that, in her finishing-room, of twenty-five rank not to work, but to live to be waited on
of her best hands not more than fottr could be trusted to
complete and send off a dress without her standing by to
and Avorked for by a subordinate class. In a
oversee. democracy it is assumed that both rich and poor
arc to uork, and that to UA-O a life of idle pleas- by simply educating them properlyfor their j)ropa'
ure is disgraceful. business.
When, therefore, the attempt is made to in- IMany wealthy ladies would as readily endoAv
troduce industrial training into our schools, we institutions for their OAvn sex as for men, Avere
arc simply aiming to carry out practically the they aware of Avhat might thus be aecom]ilished.
true democratic principle. FoAV knoAv what woman has done to aid men in
But there is a still higher aim. It Avill be elcA-ating their professions. To gain authentic
found that the democratic principle is no other information on this point, the writer Avrote to
than the grand laAV of Christianity, Avhich requires the Treasurers of only six colleges and profes-
work andself-sacrijice/or the public good, to Avhich sional schools, and gained these facts:
all private interests are to be subordinate. Miss Pluramer, to Cambridge Uuivei'sity, to en-
Children are to.be trained to live not for dow one professorship, gave. $25,000
themselves but for others; not to be waited on Mary 'fownsend, for the same 25,000
and taken care of, but to wait on and take care Sarah Jackson, ditto 10,000
of others; to loork for the good of others as the Otherover ladies, iu sums over $1000, to the same,
30,000
first thing, and amusement and self-enjoyment To Andovor Frofessioual School of Theology la-
as necessary but subordinate to the highest pub- dies have given over 65,000
lic good. The family is the first commouAvealth And of this $30,000 by one lady.
where this training is to be carried on, and only In Illinois, Mrs. Garretson has given to one Pro-
fessional School 800,000
as a preparation for a more enlarged sphere of In Albany, Mrs. Dudley has given for a Scientific
action. Institution for men 105,000
Jesus Christ came to set the example of self- To Beloit College, Wisconsin, property has been
sacvificing labor for the good of our race; nnd given by one lady valued at 80,000
family training and school training are demo- Thus half a million has been given by women
cratic and Christian only when the great prin- to these six Colleges and Professional Schools,
ciple of living for others more than for self is fully and all in the present century. The reports of
recognized and carried out. similar institutions for men all OAcr the nation
It is clear that great changes aro to be made Avould shoAV similar liberal benefactions of AA'O-
in all the customs and habits of our nation, es- mcn to endoAV institutions for tho other sex,
jtccially among the Aveahhy, beforp the true Avhile for their OAvn no such records appear.
democratic and Christiun principle Avill triumph Where is there a single endowment from a wo-
over the aristocratic and unchristian. man to secure a salary to a woman teaching her
One of these changes Avill be in the sfyle of own proper profession ?
house buihUiig. But a time will come Avhen women Avill give
When bouses are built on Ctirislian principles as liberally to elevate tbe true profession of
women of wealth and culture will work them- Avomeii as the ministers of home, as they have to.
selves, and train their children to icork, instead elevate the professions of men.
of having ignorant foreigners to ruin their food The remainder of this article will give draw-
in a filthy kitchen, and ruin their children in ings and descriptions to illustrate one house
the nursery. constracted on democratic and Christian prin-
When houses are built to honor Avoman'a pro- ciples. It is designed fur persons in easy cir-
fession, and to secure the beauty, order, and cumstances, Avho begin housekeeping Avith the
comfort of a perfected house, the kitchen, as it true Christian idea of. training a young family
usually exists, will be banished. Instead of the to ivork as Avell as to practice all the other social
dark and comfortless room for family Avork, there and domestic virtues.
will be one provided with sunlight and pure air, EA-ery family, as tbe general rule, includes
and Avell supplied Avith utensils and comforts tho parents as the educators, and the children
in tasteful and couA'cnient foiTus. So Avoman's to be trained to Christian life. To these arc
dress Avill be not only neat and convenient but added aged parents or infirm and homeless rela-
tasteful, as much so in the Avorking-room as in tives. These aro preseiTcd in life after their
the parlor. > actJA'e usefulness ceases, and often AA'hen they
Woman's work will be honorable and taste- would gladly depart, for the special benefit of
ful and agreeable when cultivated women un- the young, as the only mode in which, in early
dertake to make it so. life, they cnh be trained to self-sacrificing benev-
And when women of refinement and culture olence, to reverence for the aged, and to tender
build houses on the Christian and democratic s}''mpathy for the sick and unfortunate. In-
plan, Avork themselves, and train their children stead of regarding such members of a family as
to Avork, they Avill ncA-er suffer for Avant of do- a burden and annoyance, tbe wise and Chris-
mestic helpers. Instead of coarse and A'ulgar tian parents Avill welcome them as suffering help-
serA'ants, Avho live in the cellar and sleep in the ers aiding to develop the highest Christian vir-
p^rret, they will have refined and sympathizing tues in their children.
friends to train their children, nurse their sick, This house is planned for a family of ten or
and share in all their comforts, joys, and sor- twelve, Avhich may be regarded as the averoge
rows. number in healthy families.
American Avomen have abundant power to The site is a dry spot with a cellar AVOII
remedy all the Avrongs and miseries of their sex, drained, in an open sjiace, Avhere tho health-
 the like. Small Avindows open
on one side to the conservato-
ry, and on the other to the ve-
randa. A close staircase, and
under it a large closet for over-
garments.
When the house has bath-
rooms and water-closets in the
second story there is no need of
back stairs. But if they are de-
sired, a narrow flight can de-
scend from the broad stair to
the back entry by giving up the
recess and the closet of the Fam-
ily Boom.
The East Boom, called the
Family Boom, is for the fiimily
eating and sitting room. A
Avorking room should uhA-ays
have the pleasant morning sun.
It is 18 feet square, and opens
with sliding-doors to the cooking-
stove A, cooking closet B, Avith
the cooking-form. In the draw-
VVAH OF F I S S T TLOOB.
ing of the cooking-closet, given
below, is an illustration .of the
giving sun falls on every part, and the house so elj} e packing qf convanences.
placed that the rooms in common use shall have In front of the Avindow is the cooking-form.
the sun all day. The door, F, admits a barrel cf flour, and a lid on
A form nearest a square best secures sun- the top, G, is to raise when using flour. In the
light, perfect ventilation, and economical ar- barrel a scoop and sieve. On the left of this is
rangement. Every projection increases expense the mouldiug-board C, where bread is made, and
and diminishes tho chances of sunlight, proper other articles for baking prepared on a board
Avarming, and ventilation. Avhich may be turned on one side for cooking,
The close packing of conveniences, so as to saveand the other side for other uses. Next to the
time and steps, and contrivances to avoid the flour closet are large draAvers, the under ones
multiplication of rooms to be furnished, cleaned, running on rollers, in which are stored the In-
nnd kept in order, is indispensable to economy dian and Graham flour, the rj'C, tapioca, rice,
of time, labor, and expense. In many large etc., and tivo kinds of sugar used in cooking.
kitchens, Avith A-arious closets?, half the time of a On front and at the side are shelA'cs, on Avbich
cook is employed in Avalking to collect her uten- are stored every utensil and every article used
sils and materials, which all might be placed in cooking.
together. Still farther to the left hand of the flour
The plan given above is rather a hint to be closet is the form, x, for preparing meats and veg-
farther Avrought out than a completed effort. etables, on the top a board turned on one side to
Tho houso is fifty by
thirty on the outside (ex-
cluding the projections of
the back and front entrance).
It faces south, giving to the
two large rooms the sun all
day.
The entrance hall is fin-
ished with oiled chcstnnt
and black Avalnut mould-
ings, being handsomer,
cheaper, and easier to keep
in order than painted Avood.
All the inner doors of the
hall finished Avith Gothic
arches to correspond with
the outside door. Niches
for busts and flowers, each
side of the front-door, AAdth
small closets under the
niches for over-shoes and COOKINO FOBM.
cut meat an<i vegetables, and the other side for Other matters. By such arrangements many
other uses. On shclA-cs in front are stored all steps are saved and order promoted. The
tlie utensils nnd articles used in cooking meats covers of the sofa, ottdmans, and table, and the
and vegetables, and in preparing them for the wall-paper should match in color and design
table. In this cooking closet, by an economic with the carpet, as also the window-shades.
arrangement, is stored all tbe family stores nnd Such arrangements as these save the labor and
supplies, and all the utensils for cooking and expense of separate kitchen nnd dining-room,
taking care of food. The shelves should reach and also the expense of wasteful domestics. In
to the ceiling, and the highest have small closets such a house parents could train their children
to hold articles not often wanted. to be their happy associates in both work and
In the dish closet, D, is the sink, near both to
the stove and the eating-room. Over it, and The West Boom is specially for parents and
each side, are stored all the dishes. Thus two children, and is named the Home Boom. On
or three steps bring the dishes to the table, and the north is a bed recess concealed by folding-
from it to the sink and shelves. The sink to be doors or curtains. On one side is the parents'
of marble, with plated cocks to furnish hot and dressing-room, Avith drawers on one side to the
cold Avater. Nice small mops for washing dishes ceiling, and a clothes-press. The other side is
hung over the sink, and a convenient contriv- the children's room, with drawers and clothes-
ance for drying towels over the stove. press, close to the bath and water-closet and
The stove is placed between the dish and back outside door, so that children can run out
cooking closet, inclosed by partitions to the and in without using'other parts of the house.
wall, Avitli rising or sliding doors. A sliding On one side of the back-door is a closet for
closet, D W, to raise wood and coal from the garden tools and shoes, and on tbe other side
cellar. Thus the stove can be entirely open in a Avash-bowl and towel, with a towel closet at
cold Aveather, and in the warm season closed hand, near both to this and to the bath-room.
tight with a contrivance to carry off^ the hot air The Home Boom opens to a south conserva-
and the smells of cooking into a ventilating tory and small fountain. Here parents can
flue.* 'In warm weather the stove is used for train their children to love and rearflowers,not
baking by moving the sliding-door, to be imme- for themselves alone, bnt for those who aie less
diately closed after using the oven.. These slid- favored. Every child can not only give flow-
ing partitions or doors, hung like windows, are ers to friends, but save seeds to give to some
made of wood, and lined with tin next the stove. poor children, and teach them how to adorn their
By this arrangement when the folding-doors of own homes with such blossoms of love and
the Family Boom are open there is a largo and beauty. A sofa recess is in this room, and tAvo
airy room for work-hours, and every article niches in tbe opposite comers with work-closets
and utensil close at hand. When work is over under, while the centre-table and ottomans are
and the folding-doors closed the room is a cheer- provided Aivith hidden places for storing conven-
ful sitting-room for the family^ Itas furnished iences. The bed recess and dressing-rooms arc
with a cheerful green carpet, and the appended BO provided with drawers and closets, reaching
work-closets are covered with a light green to ihe wall, that every article needed by parents
oil-cloth to match the carpet. On one side is and children may be stored close at hand. Win-
a closet, for china, glass, and silver, Airith a doAvs in each division, and openings over parti-
small sink for washing them. In tivo comers tions, secure ventilation.
are niches for busts and flowers, Avith small At night, the parents and two little ones have
closets under them for Avorking conveniences. a large and airy bedroom. In the day, these
A fire-place and mantle ornaments tempt the doors being closed, the same room is a nursery
family gathering around the social hearth. The or a parlor at pleasure.
room opens to the piazza by sliding-doors. Glass The carpet, wall-paper, covers of furniture,
roof and partitions in winter can turn this into and window-shades, all are in harmony—blue
a green-house, warmed by a register. On one and bufi^, or white and green, or gray and pink,
side is a recess for a piano. This and the ad- as tbe taste may lead.
jacent room to have deadened walls, so that tbe
The drawing on the top of page 715 gives the
mother, if Aveary or ill, can find perfect quiet in
second-floor, with its dormer-windows and balco-
the Homo Boom below or the Library above.
nies, the roof being so contrived that a current of
The wearisome practicing of children on a piano
air passes between the walls of the chambers and
will be thus escaped.
the roof, prcA-enting excessive heat in summer.
The stationary dining-table has appendages There are five good sized bedrooms, each Avith
and conveniences under it, as do the ottomans a closet. The largest can be finished Avith an
with lids, which serve to store ncAnrspapers and arched ceiling, and furnished as a drawing-
r5om and library, where parents and guests can
* In these drawings there are no arrangements to secure retire from the work and children below. A
perfect ventilation^ besides the open fire-places in every
ixwm, except the two small chambers. The securing per-' method of deadening the walls also is provided,
fectly pnre air In all rooms in a house, at all seasons, ia so that the noise of one room will not pass to
the most difAciilt problem of the family state. A separate the others.
article will be devoted to this object hereafter, in which
drawiitgs to illustrate this method of escaping the beat A ventilating flne may be made, with a cur-
and BmellB of cooking will appear. rent of warm air from the stove in summer, and
 close to the stove, filled
once a day, and easily raised
(like a dumb-waiter), sup-
plies fuel with little labor.
A room is parted off for
vegetables that should be
shut out from the light and
warmth of the fumace, a
safe being close to the cellar
stairs, and a form raised
close by these stairs to hold
articles to be kept in a cellar,
which save steps and Avaste.
All tke inner wood-work
to be combinations of chest-
nut, walnut, white wood,
black walnut, or pine—oiled
or A'araished.
The engraving which
heads this,;article gives a
perspective Ariew of the house
and grounds, with trees, etc.
TI.AN o r BEOONO FI.OOB.
The trees are in a thick
clump, to make a dense
the furnace and stove in Avinter, and connected shade near the honse, but not so as to shut out
Avith every room, securing perfect ventilation, the sun from all parts of the roof.
without care and in spite of false notions, in all A house on this plan will accommodate a
seasons, and by day and night. Fire-places in family of ten, and afford also a guest-chamber,
every room but two give these sources of comfort and it ofifers all the conveniences and comforts
and health. and most of the elegances of houses that cost four
There is only one stair-case, with a broad times the amount and require three or four serv-
stair and two landings; to which, by giving np ants.
a closet below, may be added a narroAv stair If a new-married pair con^ence honsekeep-
from the broad stair to the back-door, under the ing in it, the young wife, aided by a girl of ten
narrow stairway to the garret. There nro two or twelve, could easily perform all the labor ex-
bath-rooms and a Avator-closet, with easy access cept the washing and ironing, Avhich could be
from the chambers. In the country Avater can be done by hired labor in the basement. The first
gathered on the roof, or raised by a forcing-pump months of housekeeping could be spent in per-
to a reservoir in tho garret, for the use of the fecting herself and her assistant, whom she
water-closet. could train to do all kinds of family work, and
The annexed drawing
gives the cellar, with its
white plastered walls and
hard water-cement floor.
The south front portion is
fitted up Avith tubs for a
laundry and drying-room,
having windows admit-
ting sun and air. Should
it be Avanted for a kitchen,
tho cellar should be ex-
tended nnder the veran-
da, arches being used to
support the wall of the
room above. The win-
dows of thick glass placed
in the floor of the veran-
da would admit sunlight,
and if made to rise would
also admit air. The out-
side door to this room
also could bc^made of
glass to admit light.
The north part receives
the Avood and coal, and
a sliding closet, D W, rUiJ* o r UELLAB.
also to bo iuir intelligent and sympathizing help- Avith its simple and natural duties, Avhere two,
er wiicn children come. united in IOA'O, or sometimes the AvidoAved one
While it should be the aim to render woman's alone, has an independent home and a small
jirofcssion so honorable that persons of the high- flock all under her own control, Avith none biit
est position and culture will seek it, ns men seek God and her own conscience to rule.
their most honored professions, there must still There have b(^n various attempts made to
be the class of servants, to carry out a style of form communities on various modifications of the
living nnd expenditure both lawful and useful, Fonrierite plan, which brings individuals of all
Avhero large fortunes abound. For this class ages, tastes, and habits into one family, Avith no
the aim should be to secure their thorough parents or superior or bishop to control. Such
preparation and to increase their advantages. are, and ever must be, failures.
Should both aims be achieved, then a woman So the boarding-school system, which takes
Avho prefers a style of living demanding servants, children from parental love and close Avatcli of
will be so trained herself as not to be dependent the family state, giving them to strangers amidst
on hirelings at the sacrifice of self-respect. On new and multiplied temptations, this is, and
the other hand, a woman Avho chooses another ever must be, a failure.
stylo of living, so as to Avork herself and train The tme Protestant system, yet to be devel-
her children to Avork, can do so Avithout fear of oped and tried by Avomen of Avealth and benev-
losing any social adA'antagcs. Or, in case more olence, is the one here suggested; based not on
helpers aro needed, she can secure highly culti- the conventual, nor on tbe Fonrierite, nor ou
A-atcd and xcRncilfriends to sfmrc all her family the boarding-school systems, but on the HeaA'cn-
enjoyments, instead of depending on a class in- devised plan of the family state.
ferior in cultivation and less qualified to form One aim of this article is to attract the no-
the habits and tastes of her children. tice of conscientious persons commencing the
But it is not the married alone who are priA'- family state Avith means sufficient for a much
ileged to become ministers in the home church of more expensive establishment.
Jesus Christ. A woman Avithout children, and Many such really bclicA'C themselves the fol-
Avith means of her own, could provide such a lowers of Christ Avho have seldom practiced that
house as this, and take one child and a well- economy which denies self to increase the ad-
qualified goA'erness to aid in training it. Then, A'antagcs of the poor, especially in deciding on
after success inspires confidence, a second child the style of living they adopt. Most wealthy
might be adopted till the extent of her means persons provide houses, equipage, servants, and
and benevolence i | reached. expenditures that demand most of their income,
There are multitudes of benevolent Avomen, while the waste in their kitchens alone would,
Avhose cultiA'ated energies are now spent in a by careful economy, such as we see in France,
round of selfish indulgence, Avho Avould wake up feed another whole family.
to a new life if they thus met Avoman's highest When houses are built on Christian and dem-
calling as Heaven-appointed ministers of Christ, ocratic ijrincijiles, and young girls in every con-
to train his neglected little ones for that king- dition of life arc trained to a Aviso economy,
dom of self-denying labor and love of which he thousands of young men, Avho can not aflbrd to
is the model and head. muriy young ladies trained in the common
Thousands and thousands of orphans are noAV boarding-school fashion, Avill find the chief im-
dcpriA'ed of a father's home and support. Thou- liedinient removed; and thus healthful aud
sands of Avomen, widowed in the dearest hojies of happy homes Avill multiply Avith our increasing
this life, are seeking for consolation in the only Avealth and culture.
true avenues.
A great emergency in our nation has occur- COST OF A HOME.
red, in Avhich thousands of Avomeii are forcA-er
cut off from any homes of their OAvn by marriage.
Of these many are Avomen of wealth and influ- I T is all very Avell to talk about the opportuni-
ties—tho enjoyments Avliich young unmarried
ence among Protestants, who in hospitals nnd men have Avithin their reach. But libraries
battle-fields have been learning the highest les- and model coffee-shops don't sew on buttons,
sons of self-sacrificing bencA-olence. Such will nor is it Avithout the help of the most lively im-
not return home to be idle, but Avill press toward agination that a clerk, or indeed any other sensi-
those avenues that offer the most aid and sym- ble person, can perceive his bcau-idcal of a lit-
pathy ; and if it is not provided by Protestants tle household angel in the green spectacled fe-
they Avill seek it in the Catholic fold. males Avho preside at the dingy lecture-room just
Catholic convents provide their inmates Avith around the corner. As a]iplicd to unmarried
a comfortable home and opportunities of be- men in general, and to clerks in particular, to
nevolence toward neglected children, the sick, all the associations and societies Avhich have for
and the poor. But they are burdened Avitb a their aim the amelioration of the condition of
round of observances and rules involving the such people—to all such societies that fail to
sacrifice of reason and conscience, and of per- furnish a home for a man, wc have one grand
sonal indeixn lence. For complete submission objection to ofler : It don't pay. As far as ex-
to the Superior is tbe first duty. Moreover, pression goes, the term is A'cry vulgar; but it is
tliis is not the family state designed by God, telling—it is true. To be informed that one
A PAPER rOR EVERY FIRESIDE.
FBANK LESLIE'S
Tliis is undoubtedly the roost successful Family Papbr
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Families that welcome this guest will prove, by their
enlightened conversation, the charm and solidity of tho
paper which is their companion and friend.
The CmMNET CoKMEB is Issued every Tuesday In New
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by ordering the same of any News-A gent, so that persons
^vishing to subscribe at any time, by taking the back num-
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gant presentation plate of President Lincoln receiving the
Notabilities of tho Nation at tho White Honse.
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TWO copies, one year, to one address, in one wrapper T
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One copy of Frank Leslie's Chimney Corner, and
one copy of Frank Leslie's Lady's Magazine
(the most complete Lady's Book published), for
one year 7 00
Address FKAMK LESLIE,
637 Pearl Street, New York.
Palmer's Vegetable Cosmetic Lotion.
NEW YOKE, July 31,18C3L
A. J. DAY, ESQ., S. W . Agent Erie Bailway, Cincinnati, O.
Mv DEAB Stn,—^Inclosed find three dollan, Uncle S.im
currency, with which please purchase roe *^^ Palmer's Cos-
metic Lotion," and send by express. Dr. Solon,Palmer
can congratulate himself upon having discovered an artido
that cores a difficalty that in my-case has bafiied the skiQ
of the best physitsians I could find, of dififerenfc schools^ for
nearly threo years. I am now nearly relieved of that
mortifying eruption, and am looking quite like a man.
If he wonld make the fuaa that hundreds of our New York
qnacka do, the merits of hia preparation would become
known and its repntation established. I am, very truly,
yours, CHAS. £ . NOBLE,
Qeaeral Agentt Michigan Contra! Railroad,
173 Broadway, Now York.
Prepared by 8.ilAn Palmer, Cincinnati. For snlo by
Druggists. Deraas Barnes & Co., Agents, Now York.
never misses fhat which one has never possessed
is small consolation for a homeless man, lie-
cause, in his ca.se, tho assertion is false every
time that he is impressed Avith the companitiA'e
conditions of life; and such impressions are of
hourly occurrence. And if this Avero not the
case, it would require the liveliest imagination
conceivable in order to discover home life in tbe
fashionable arrangement whicli determines his
l)irtb, marriage, and death to take place Avithin
tiic Avails of a boarding-house.
The problem to be solved, is to ascertain the
pecuniary minimum that will serve as an assured
basis of a priA'ate household, or home ; or, in oth-
er Avords, to enumerate the items commauding
our attention, and Avith the synthesis to present
the reader Avitli a form not only i^tional but
comprehensiA'o as a treatment of the most reme-
diable ills of the class of men and ivomeu whose
cause we are advocating.
Gi\ing our observations a direct application,
let us assume ^2000 to be tbe income of a man
desirous of enjoying life in the true sense of the
Avord, and let us likewise suppose him, through
rigid economy, to have laid up that amount dur-
ing the eighteen months jtrcAnous to his mar-
riage. He Avill then desire to invest his money
ill a manner calculated to render him, in time,
independent of the precarious condition of house-
holders in general, to say nothing of the vujyro-
ducfivc demands Avhicli are annually made upon
his income in the form of house rent. The pos-
session of CA'Cii a modest bnilding site in a city
giA'cs a man the air of substantialness that just-
ly belongs to OAvners of real estate; and jiossess-
ing a lot in a respectable neighborhood, free
from all liabilities, the proprietor Avill experience
OO no difliculty in finding persons Avilling to ad-
00 vance 5!2500 ou a mortgage npon the-lot aud
50 npon the house which is to be built. Along
00 some of the car routes of Brooklyn, Avithiu an
00
hour's ride of the city of New York, lots of
2.5 X100 feet can be purchased for the cash price
of irSOO per lot; and granting the house oiA-ncr
to spend $:]500 on furniture (such as is de-
nominated " cottage furniture"), the following
statement Avould be an exhibit of the outlay of
his !i:2000 and of the money raised for building
purposes:
Cash paid for building lot $S00
K u It furniture 1500
Moi-tgngo on house nnd lot for K yk&ra, renewable
for 3 years 2500
This Statement shows the entire property to
be worth $1500 more than the mortgage calls
for, should the furniture be included; and inas-
much as $400 per annum is regarded as a rent
so loAV that many persons are anxions to take a
lease for a considerable number of years upon a
dwelling at this figure, it is most reasonable to
apply the same amoimt toward the canceling
of the mortgage suggested—^A\-hich, indeed, can
be A'cry nearly accomplished Avithin the time
aboA'O specified. The schedule of payments on
the following page iuA'olves the principle sug-
gested.
According to the rule there employed it is evi-
dent that the canceling figure Avill be $191 5G
in excess of the prcA'ious yearly sum of )j400, or,
in other words, $591 56 Avill be tbe amount of
the final payment upon the mortgage.
To a foreigner newly arrived in tho city of
New York, and ignorant of the domestic evils
that reign in this land of plenty, it must appear
highly absurd that a man enjoying an income
of $2000 per annum should be forced to ap]ily
extraordinary ingenuity iu the decent maintc-
nance of his family. In London, in a healthy
and respectable neighborhood within thirty or
forty minutes' Avalk of the commercial portion
of the city, .$H00 per annum is regarded as a
A'cry respectable rental. Living in general is
not high; so that a man Avith a yearly salary
of 4,*u00 can afford to keep honse and to enjoy
Eomc of the luxuries even of life. But in the
city of NcAV York, under the incscnt system of
management, the equivalent sum of $1500 goes
no distance at all tOAA'ard the sujiport of an es-
tablishment. But this condition of affairs cau
not exist forever. The yearly increase of build-
ings in the city of London, even relatively con-
sidered, is quite equal to that of the city of Neiv
York—a fact that goes to show that, Avhile there
appears to be no ordinaiy prescription to the
groAvth of a city, the maximum valuation of
real estate, in a given locality, is speedily reach-
ed, and that a subsequent infl.ation in its rate
of value is but a temporar}' CA'ii. The fact like-
Avise shows that the magnitude of a city depends
not upon a positive and absorbent AA'calth of its
denizens, but upon enterprise founded on a
partidl money basis. Leaving the present ex-
treme inflation of prices entirely out of the ques-
tion, it is fair to presume that, eventually, the
A'aluation of real estate in New York Avill be
coincident Avith that of London to-day, and con-
sequently the average of every description of
rates Avill correspondingly decrease.
To have a home AAithout a majority of un-
necessary luxuries is called, noAA'adays, a sort
of offense against society. And yet AVC do not
think a man Avill gi'eatly err in braving Mrs.
Grundy and seeking his terrestrial heaven in a
neat, substantial frame dwelling tAventy-fiA'C feet
front by thirty-five or forty feet in depth. The
honse Avould be small, but large enough to fall
under the title of being respectable; and the
fact of its being of Avood does not prevent its
being the abode of refined people, Avho, rather
than to let Hajipiness shiver on the broad stairs
of ideality, are sensible enough to seek, in a
Chri-stian spirit, a reasonable amelionition of
their condition, aud to suiTound themselves
with the blessings of domestic life.
Whatever care children may require, until
they shall have reached a considerable age, they
demand but a small figure of the domestic ex-
pense. Thus, for the first few years, the reason-
able annual outlay for the necessaries and the
comforts of life can be rated at an aggregate
sum of $1500 per three jicrsons, and about $500
per each extra coujile of adults that might be
added to the family circle. As regards food,
fuel, and a moderate indulgence in the luxuries
of life, the military tables of subsistence furnish
us an excellent guide to the rule of quantity;
and if to these AVC add an acknoAA'ledged judicious
outlay upon Avearing apparel, AVC can not great-
ly err in onr estimate of cost of the entire re-
sponsibilities entailed upon domestic life. \Yc
here oft'cr the reader a fairly estimated table of
the quantity of proA'isions (and their prices) nec-
essary for the sustenance of three persons during
a single Aveck. The rule of quantity is founded
upon " T h e KcA'ised Kcgnlations of the Army
of the United States (pages 277, 279, 280)';
Philadelphia, 1861." We have based the ])rices
upon what tradesmen tenu " a Avholesalc pur-
chase" of all imperishable articles of food, and
the perishablo articles aro rated at the retail
prices demanded for first-class proA-ision.
Lia,smuch as prices arc variable, Avhilc the
oflicial titles of gi\-en quantities arc invarinbl,
the nilcs of relative quantity, and consequently
of price, can always be predetermined by the
folloAving table, Avliich AA'C giAC from The licviscd
I'rguluiions, etc. The only precaution to be
taken in calculating the various quantities is to
deduct one-tenth the Aveight or measure from
each item, as the military excess alloAvcd for
wastage.
Rations for one Person for a single Portion of any given
common Article of Food.
Peiicription.
Pork) 12 ,,
Becfr cither 4
Flour ^J
I
l.tf
,.
('offoe f
Tea i
Sugar o
..
Vinegar i
.Salt ,j«.
1*1)1
liiviceated polutoes. U
Mi.red ^'egt.'tiibl'.w... 1 ..
The results here obtained shoiv the average
of table expenses for three adults to be about
$2 41 per day, if the provision be properly pur-

00, dating from Jfoj/, 1307, to May., 1875.

180S..-.. $175 00
Payment, May, 1303... . 225 00 225 00 equal to a rent of.... $400
2275 00 ISOO.... 15915
i( May, ISCO... . 240 76
240 75 " " . . . . 400
2034 26 1370.... 142 40
i4' May, 1S70... . 257 CO 267 60 " " . . . . 400
1770 05 1S71.... 124 37
U
May, 1371... . 275 63 275 03 " " . . . . 400:
May, 1872...
isui oa 1S72.... 105 07
. 294 93 294 03 " • »'.,"..,;," 400
12(10 65 1373.... 8143
May, 1S73... 015 57 " ' • /,•. ?'••'' •••• 400
. SOU
815 {)'^
C7
1ST4.... O'J 1(4
11 atay, 1S74... . 337 CO IJ37 00 V, '''•'., " . . . . -KiO
B62 88 1S75.... 38 70
May,lS75... . 801 BO 3iU 80 " , " 4O0
lai 60
 eyed and not intrusted to servants. The total
early expenditure Avould therefore be set down
LS>beloAV.
The excess aboA'c alluded to Avill frequently
le found to be far greater than one-tenth ; as for
nstance, in the case of flour, Avhicli is not com-
nonly used for domestic ]iurposes exce]it for tbo
aaking of pies and other luxuries, bread being
lurchased as a general rule. If there exists
ny doubt regarding the quantity or number of
aliens contained in a bushel of the solid vege-
ables, Ave may again quote the same authorities
ly. stating, that.
A bushel of beans weighs CO pounds.
" " potatoes weighs CO pounds.
" '' onions weighs 57 pounds.
" " dried poaches weighs S3 pounds,
tl 11 dried apples weighs 22 pounds.
" " salt weighs BO pounds.
The price of a given vegetable known, we can
thence arriA'O at the value of a single ration.
These facts, Avbich Ave have brought together
from reliable sources, show conclusively that it
lies Avithin the poAver of clerks to materially
lessen the ills Avith which their lives are tm-
bittcred. But though tho mere possession of a
home is a matter for self-congratulation, this is

- I'able and Household Expenses.

Three Meals. Sunday. Roasting Beef. 5 Us., @ S5 cents per lb., $176
Mackerel. 1 R>., @ 15 cents per lb. ; 15
[Potatoes. 1)^ lb., @ .$1 60 per bushel ' 04
Vegetables-i Onions, i lb., @ $ 1 2 5 per bushel 02
I Vegetable luxuries i 15
^Bread. 2 i loaves, ® 10 cents 22
Milk. 1 quart, @ 10 cents 10
Keccasaries J, ^^^^^ (Sfuart's A). 121 ozi., @ 15 cenU per Ib , 12
i Coffee.'" i"tb!.'.*.'.".".'.".*.'.'.'.'.*.'.'.'.'.**'.'.'.'.*.*.".'.'.".'.*.'.'.'.'.".'.*.*.'.'.'.*.*.''.'.'.'.'. 10
flutter, i lb,, @ 0 0 c e n t ? . . . . . . . N , 45
Dessert. Flour, rice, eggs, and spices : 26
$3 40
TlireeMeals. Monday. Cold ronat beef 00
Freahfiah. 1 Jib., ® 12 cents IS
A'^egetablcs in general > 21
Necessaries 1 04
DcsHert and spices 25
1C3
Three Meals. Tuesday. Soup from bone? of bocf (with mixed vegetable?) 06
Beof-stcak. 1J 1> »•, ® ">5 cents per lb 53
Vegetablca in general 21
Necessaries 1 04
Dessert 25
9 09
Tliree Meals. Wednssddy. Corned Beef. 6 lis., ® 23J cents per lb. 1 17
Cabbage. <'0
• - . , Vegetables in general .,.; , 21
Necessaries 1 04
Dessert £5
Mackerel ;........;..;............;; 15
2 S3,
Three Meals. Thursday, Itound of beef. 5 ttr., ® 22} cents per lb. 112
Coined beef lia«li 04
Vegetables in general 21
Necessaries 1 04
Dessert 25
2 CO
TlireeMeals. Friday. Fish. 5 lbs., @ 12 cents CO
Vegetable, split pea, or bean soup 10
Vegetables in general (in less quantity) 10
Necessaries 104
Dessert 25
215
TlireeMeals. Saturday. Stowed beef (from round) 00
Vegetables, necessaries, dessert, and IJ 11). beef stcnk or mutton... 2 02
$10 S9

Table expenses for 305 days, ® $2 41 per dav $STO C5

Clothing for " S.-lf" per each 18 months, .$160) 200 00
«i 4i "AVife" " " jjjQJ-per auniini
Physician's sei-vlcc 60 00
Pew-rent for two persons, @ $5 per annum • It) 00
riiilhiirnionio subici'iption (including car fare) ^o nn
Library subscripliou ^P or
Car and Ferry fare to and from busineiw (309 days) . XlJ
Servant hire, @ $3 per month ^'i^
Two cords of split wood, @ $18 00 30 00
Coal for kitchen range (305 days), 9 tons, @ $8 50 76 60
" " portable fiiiTiaco In basement, etc. (182 days), 41 tons r i-K
Kcro-aene oil," If pints per day (305 days) o An
AVater rates (on two-story dwelling) io 2n
Insurance on house (* of 1 percent, on $2500) n SA
" " fiUTilturo (three-fifths of 1 p e r c e n t on $1.500) ^ O*
Taxes on assessed.value of property (.1 per cent, on $3000) ••^ J™
Pajnucnts on principal and interest of mortgage ^"'''"'
$20i;7 00

• The abHunl ratca (leiimiulcd liv thf- ritv fras cmponUioii.s bus led lis to piibi'tltiito the nuich-vlliflcd bunilng fluid.
It is not the use, but the abu^c of this article that has cuu.-^cd no iiiucli dcdtnictiou to life aud property.
 not in itself the vhinuUum that is Avithin their sensible men and AA'omen have not called a con-
rcacli. To tin's class of beings ajqiears to be in- vention and tumbled tho betinselcd deity down
trusted tlic duty, the ])iivilegc, of maintaining the back stairs of society. Aud especially Avhen
;iii iutJltcUial home. Pofiscs.-^iui^ nil the suscep- liimibu^' is iuA-olvcd in the subject under con-
tibility to refinement tlmt cliaracteiizes the iiia- sideration, in nine cases out of ten, if a m a n
jdrity of people born in a more fortunate condi- aud woman have just cause for mutual love,
tion of life, and yet fliui;^', ns it were, upon the tbey arc fools not to be hapjiy together under
very eilj^c of a class that has want ami vulgar merely tolerable circuinstances, instead of liviiijj
]ji)verty fur its comi>auioiis, the ])Coj>lc AVIIOSO separate in the tinsel of a condition not far rc-
ciuiye we arc advocating stare tlio misfortunes inoA'ed from that \\liieh they appear so heartily
of tlie latter class in tlic Acry face, and arc to dread. And if it Avill superinduce the OA'cr-
thoroii;i;lily .ilive to the benefits, the sor.ial edu- throw of the god IIUMUUG from his pedestal in
cation, which tlieir more fortunate fellow-creat- the hearts of such men nnd Avomeii, AVC assure
ures are able to buy. But if one is to borrow them that their determined status in the domes-
troublo, is it necessary that the children of pa- tic condition will bo immeasurably more r c -
rents in narrow circumstances should receive sjicctablc than the flimsincss Avith Avhich they
luit a wictclied primary education ; or because envelop their stilted, unreal course of life, tbe
it i.-^ a rule followed by the greater portion of the veil of which is penetrated by CA'cry body except
wealthy classes, is it obligatory upon clerks to themselves. The fiat of a self-constituted OPIK-
trust an cxjicnsive scliool Avitli the inculcation lON has jiromulgatcd laws as groundless in just-
of those moral and icsthctic refinements ivliich ness as the claim by Avhicli it SAvays the silly
arc most properly acquired at the mother's multitude. A false and irresponsible order of
kucc ? The instant AVC make home influence and society brands us with a peculiar term of its OAA'U
(even a partial) home education the foundation invention, and Ave tremble as though the thun-
of family government, the question of domestic ders of Truth had been burled against ns. W e
life assumes a light AvhoUy dilTering from that irill not be ha]ij)y because AVC can not afibrd to
ill Avhich it is commonly viewed. And wilh re- torture ourselves Avith the criticisms of envious
gard to people so iiiiinediatcly connected Avith neighbors. I t is the old story of " the man, the
the extremes of tho AVIIOIC communitj-, so con- boy, and the ass," rehearsed in broadcloth a n d
siderable in number, and so impressible as the cheap finery; but Avith " T h e Moral" left out.
class to which we haA'c dcdiciitod our article, It is so comme il/hut to smother " T h e JMoral"
tlicir establishment in the domestic scale of life, under gingham and home-spun; to say nothing
and tho infusion of such principles throughout of lugging into the presence of i-ejined society
the body, must unquestionably affect in a bene- such vulgarities as the being Avho travels night-
ficial manner the entire chain of society. For ly to his haven of rest, tho Avelcome voices that
the present AVC must conclude Avith the remark, greet his return, the conviction that the Avord
that while something rctnains to be done for this ho)ne sounds no longer like a mockery iu the ear
numerous class of individuals, much rtfniains to —the quaint adage, that " h o m o . i s home, be it
be undone. I t onght to be an cmjity regret for CA'cr so homely."
us, if the sister of our belle idi^ule chooses to Life is but an imperfect labor if it does not
maiTv tlie rich Siuiih, or if I^Iiss Jones, Avho is involve the highest duties of its state. Like a
" such a perfect lady," di.sdains to IIA'C in a cot- butterfly, Ave may flutter along the surface of the
tage, or indeed in any thing short of a boarding- social state, and paint our AAings Avith a thou-
house, " a large one, Avhere there is plenty of sand h u e s ; but AVC gather no treasure in our
society." There is no dearth of sensible Miss summer day, and an after-season Avill sweep us
Smiths, and la belle idc'ale Avill find that all the beneath the dead leaA-cs, an unsightly, nameless
men are not geese. The-truth is, that there is Avorm. The man who can be happy at a cheap
so much real misery in humbug, and such price is a fool to pay roundly for the certainty
thorough humbug at the bottom of our little ' of being miserable; and those Avho will be fools
miseries, that it is a subject for Avonder Avliy [must siifTcr the penalty.

STRANDED.
FLITSO out, a poor waif, on the Stream of Time—
Tlie rushing river of Might and MimI—
Slie re.^tn where Old Trinity's sweet Iwlla chime:
A young girl, helpless, poor, aud blind.
A cpray of bcad-work her fingers hold,
AVhich Bhe fashions to trinkets fine and em.all:
Oil wild shall guenH what prayeiM are told
Aa she counts her beads by the church-yard wall I
Si.t pretty globelcts of pearly white,
AVith one of gold—aud the nieisli is made;
In the De.nd-Sea waves of her endless night,
Netting—how vainly!—for daily bread.
Wan thoughts, like birds o'er a sunset pool,
Dimple her features, thin and Bnmll,
While the Imnian tide whirls on to its goal,
ISliud to the woo by tho church-yard wall.

Littlo by little, and tier on tier,
.Slio build.s as a wild-bird builds her nest;
AYhilo unllO'lgCd hopes and naiiielei<s fears
Flutter out from hor brooJing bren.^t.
O'er her cheeks the flickcriiif: sunlight plows;
Hot tears on her thin hands ^parkliug fall;
Wliile the throbbing city ebbs and flows
r.i.it t!»e inaitltn that weuvei by the church-yarJ wall.
Alas! for the Blind that will not sec!—
Alas! for the Deaf that will not hear!—
While want aud woo and niieicry
Darken the daylight and stun the ear.
More hope for the lluathcu, with never a creed,
Who basks iu God's siiiilii^ht, that shines o'er nil,
Tli:in tho Chrisli.ans that pass in the hour of need
Tho poor that starves by the church-yard wall.
 A OHEISTIAN HOUSE.

IN the Divine Word it is written, " The wise woman build-

eth'her house." To be "wise," is "to choose the best
means for accomplishing the best end." It has been sho^vn
that the best end for a woman to seek is the training of
God's children for their eternal home, by guiding them to
intelligence, virtue, and true happiness. Wlien, therefore,
the wise woman seeks a home in which to exercise this
ministry, she will aim to secm'e a house so planned that it
will provide in the best manner for health, industry, and
econoni}'', tliose cardinal requisites of domestic enjoyment
and success. To aid in this, is tlie object of the following
drawings and descriptions, w'liich will illustrate a style of
living more conformed to the great design for which the
family is instituted than that which ordinarily prevails
among tliose classes which take the lead in forming the
customs of society. The aim will be to exhibit modes of
economizing labor, time, and expenses, so as to secure
health, thrift, and domestic happiness to persons of limited
means, in a measure rai-ely attained even by those who
possess wealth.
At the head of this chapter is a sketch of what may be
properly called a Christian house; that is, a house con-
trived for the express purpose of enabling every member
of a family to labor with the hands for the common good,
and by modes at once healthful, economical, and tasteful.
Of course, much of the instruction conveyed in the fol-
lowing pages is chiefly applicable to the wants and habits
of those living either in the country or in such suburban
vicinities as give space of ground for healthful outdoor
occujiation in the family service, although the general
principles of house-building and house-keeping are of ne-
cessity universal in their application—as true in the busy
confines of the city as in the freer and purer quietude of
the country. So far as circumstances can. be made to
yield the opportunity, it will be assumed that the ftimily
state demands some outdoor labor for all. The cultiva-
tion of flowers to ornament the table and house, of fi'uita
and vegetables for food, of silk and cotton for clothing,
and the care of horse, cow, and dairy, can be so divided
that each and all of the family, some part of the day,
can take exercise in the pure air, under the magnetic and
healthful rays of the sun. Every head of a family should
seek a soil and climate which will afford such opportuni-
 ties. Haih'oads, enabling men toiling in cities to rear
families in the country, are on this account a special bless-
ing. So, also, is the opening of the South to free labor,
where, in the pure and xiiild climate of the uplands, open-
air labor can proceed most of the year, and women and
children labor out of doors as well as w.' thin.
In the following drawings are presented modes of econ-
omizing time, labor, and expense by the close packing of
conveniences. By such methods, small and economical
houses can be made to secure most of the comforts and
many of the refinements of lafge and expensive ones.
The cottage at tlie head of this chapter is projected on a
plan which can be adapted to a warm or cold climate with
little change. By adding another story, it would serve a
large family.
Fig. 1 shows the gi'ound-plan of the first floor. On the
inside it is forty-three feet long and twenty-five wide, ex-
cluding conservatories and front and back projections. Its
inside height fi*om floor to ceiling is ten feet. The piazzas
each* side of the front projection have sliding-windows to
the floor, and can, by glazed sashes, be made green-houses
in A?7inter. I n a warm climate, piazzas can be made at the
back side also.
In the description and arrangement, the leading aim is
to show how time, labor, and expense are saved, not only
in the building but in fmrniture and its aiTangement.
With this aim, the ground-floor and its fm'niture will first
be shown, then the second story and its furniture, and
then the basement and its conveniences. The conserva-
tories are appendages not necessary to housekeeping, but
useful in many ways pointed out more at large in other
chapters.
The entry has arched recesses behind the-front doors,
(Fig. 2,) furnished with hooks for over-clothes in both—a
box for over-shoes in one, and a stand for umbrellas in the
other. The roof of the recess is for statuettes, busts, or
 Fig. 1.

43 X 25 10 FEET
INSIDE FROM FLOOR TO CEILING
flowers. The stairs turn twice with broad steps, making
a recess at the lower landing, where a table is set with a
Fig. 2. ^ yase of flowers, (Fig. 3.) On one side
of the recess is a closet, arched to cor-
respond with the arch over the stairs.
A bracket, over the first broad stair,
with flowers or statuettes, is visible
from the entrance, and pictures can
be hung as in the illustration.
The large room on the left can be
made to serve the pm'pose of several
•rooms by means of a movable screen.
By shifting this rolling screen from one
part of the room to another, two apart-
ments aa*e always, available, of any de-
sired size within the limits of the large
- room. One side of the screen fronts
what may be used as the parlor or sitting-room; the other
side is arranged for ^-ig. a.
bedroom conveni-
ences. Of this. Fig,
4 shows the front
side; covered first
with strong canvas,
stretched and nailed
on. Over this is
pasted panel-paper,
and the upper part
is made to resemble
an ornamental cor-
nice by fresco-paper.
Pictures can be
hung in the panels,
or be pasted on and
varnished with
wMte ramisl,. To <='-°®^^ ' ' " ^ = = = LA^&I^B
prevent the absoi-ption of the varnish, a wash of gum
isinglass (fish-glue) must be applied twice.

Pig. 4.
crfLfUfo

ROLLERS B.aLL£RS

Fig. 5 shows the back or inside of the movable screen,

toward the part of the room iised as the bedroom. On
one side, and at the top and bottom, it has shelves with
shelf-hoxes, which are cheaper and better than drawers,
and much preferred by those using them. Handles are
cut in the front and back side, as seen in Fig. 6. Half an
inch space .must be between the box arid the shelf over it,
and as much each side, so that it can be taken out and
put in easily. The central part of the screen's interior is
a wardi'obe.
This screen must be so high-as neai-ly to reach the
ceiling, in order to prevent it from overturning. It is to
fill the width of the room, except two feet on each ^ e .
A projecting cleat or strip, r,eaching nearly to the top of
the screen, three inches wide, is to be screwed to the front
sides, on which light frame doors are to be hung, covered

aOiM£/}S

with canvas and panel-paper like the front of the screen.

The inside of these doors is furnished with hooks for cloth-
ing, for which the projection makes room.^ The whole
screen is to be eighteen inches deep at the top and two
feet deep at the'base, giving a
Fisr. 6.
solid foundation. It is moved
^ . on four wooden rollers, one
' foot long and four inches in
diameter. The pivots of the
rollers and the parts where
there is friction must be rubbed with hard soap, and then
a child can move the whole easily.
A curtain is to be hung across the whole interior of the
screen by rings, on a strong wire. The curtain should be
iu three parts, with lend or Itirge nails in the lieiiis to
keep it in place. Tlio wood-work niurft be put together
with scre^^•s, as the screen is too large to pass tlirough a
door.
At the end of the room, behind the screen, are two
couches, to be run one under-the other, as in Fig. 7. The

Fig, 7.

upper one is made with four posts, each three feet high
and three inches square, set on casters two inches high.
JEhe frame is to be foiu'teen inches fr'om the floor, seven
feet long, two feet four inches wide, and three inches in
thickness. A t the head, and at the foot, is to be screwed
a notched two-inch board, three inches Wide, as in Fig. 8.
The mortises are to be one inch
^^'^' wide and deep, and one inch ffipart,
I — '—' '—' I to receive slats made of ash, oak,
or spruce, one inch, square, placed
lengthwise of the couch. The slats being small, and so
near together, and running lengthwise, make a better
spring frame than wire coils. If they w;arp, they can be
tiirned. They must not be fastened at the ends, exqppt
by insertion in the notches. Across the posts, a,nd of equal
height with them, are to be screwed head and foot-boards.
 The under couch is like the upper, except these dimen-
sions : posts, nine inches high, including castors; fi-ame,
six feet two inches long, two feet four inches wide. The
frame should be as near the floor as possible, resting on
the casters.
The most healthful and comfortable mattress is made
by a case, open in
Fijr. 9.
the centre and
fiistened ti>gether
with buttons, as
in Fig. 9 ; to be
filled with oat
straw, w^hich is softer than wheat or rye. This ctin be
adjusted to the figure, and often I'cnewed.
Fig. 10 represents the upper couch when covered, with
the under couch put beneath it. The coverlid should
match the curtainof the screen; and the pillows, by day,
should have a case of the same.
Fig. 10. FlR. 11.

./^r^T^^

Fig. 11 is an ottoman, made as a box, witli a lid on

hinges. A cushion is fastened to this lid by strings at
each corner, pa.ssing through holes in the box lid and tied
inside. The cushion to be cut square, Avith side pieces;
stuffed with hair, and stitched through like a mattress.
Side handles are made by cords fa.stened inside with knots.
The box must be two inches larger at the bottom than
at the top, and the lid and cushion the same size as the
bottom, to give it. a tasteful sha])e. This ottoman is set
on caster.s, jind is a great convenience for holding articles,
while serving also as a seat.
 The expense of the screen, where Imnber averages $1 a
lumdi'ed, and carpenter labor $3 a day, would be about
$30, and the two couches about $6. The material for
covering might be cheap and yet pretty. A w'oman w'th
these dii-ections, and a son or husband who would use plane
and sawj could thus secure much additional room, and
also what amounts to two bureaus, two large trunks, one
large wardrobe, and a wash-stand, for less than $20—the
mere cost of materials. The screen and couches can be
so arranged as to have one room serve first as a large and
airy sleeping-room ; then, in the morning, it may be used
as sitting-room one side of the screen, and breakfast-room
the other; and lastly, through the day it can be made a
large parlor on the front side, and a sewing or retfring-
room the other side. The needless spaces usually devoted
to kitchen, entries, halls, back-stairs, j)antries, store-rooms,
and closets, by this method would be used in adding to
the size of the large room, so variously used by day and
by night.
Fig. 12 is an enlarged plan of Ihe kitchen and stove-
room. The chimney and stove-room are contrived to
ventilate the whole house, by a mode exhibited in another
chapter.
Between the two rooms glazed sliding-doors, passing
each other, serve to shut out heat and smells from the
kitchen. The sides of the stove-room must be lined •with.
shelves; those on the side by the cellar stairs, to be one
foot wide, and eighteen inches apart; on the other side,
shelves may be narrower, eight inches wide and nine
inches apart. Boxes with lids, to receive stove utensils,
must be placed near the stove.
On these shelves, and.in the closet and boxes, can be
placed every material used for cooking, all the table and
cooking utensils, and all the articles used in house work,
and yet much spare room will be left. The cook's galley
in a steamship has every article and utensil used in cook-
 Pig. 12.

[FLOUR\ COOK DRAIN SINK I

5-

KITCHEN
9X9
 ing fur two hundred persons, in a space not larger than
this stove-room, and so arranged that with one or two
steps the cook can reach all he uses.
In contrast to this, in most large houses, the table
furniture, the cooking materials and utensils, the sink, and
the eating-room, are at such distances apart, that half the
time and strength is employed in walking back and forth
to collect and return the articles used.

Fig. 13.

Fig. 13 is an enlarged plan of the sink and cooking-

form. Two windows make a better circulation of air in
warm weather, by having one open at top and the other
 at the bottom, while the liglit is better adjusted for work-
iiiff, in case of weak eves.
The flour-barrel just fills the closet, wliich has a door
for admission, and a lid to raise when used. Beside it, is
the form for cooking, with a moulding-board laid on i t ;
one side used for preparing vegetables and meat, and the
other for moulding bread. The sink has two pumps, for
well and for rain-water—one having a forcing power to
throw water into the reservoir in the garret, which sup-
plies the water-closet and bath-room. On the other side
of the sink is the dish-drainer, with a ledge on the edge
next the sink, to hold the dishes, and grooves cut to let
the water drain into the sink. I t has hinges, so that it
can either rest on the cook-form or be tm*ned over and
coyer the sink. Under the sink are shelf-boxes placed on
two shelves run into gi'ooves, with other grooves above
and below, so that one may move the shelves and increase
or diminish the spaces between. The shelf-boxes can be
used for scouring-materials, di.sh-towels, and dish-cloths;
also to Ifold bowls for bits of butter, fats, etc. Under
tliese two shelves is room for two pails, and a jar for
soap-grease.
Under the cook-form are shelves and shelf-boxes for un-
bolted wheat, corn-meal, rye, etc. Beneath these, for
white and bro^vn sugar, are wooden can-pails, which are
the best articles in which to keep these constant neces-
sities. Beside them is the tin molasses-can w^ith a tight,
movable cover, and a cork in the spout. This is much
better than a jug for molasses, and also for vinegar and
oil, being easier to clean and to handle. Other articles
and implements for cooking can be arranged on or under
the shelves at the side and front.
. Fig. 14.
A small cooking-tray, holding
pepper, salt, dredging-box, knife
and spoon, should stand close at
hand by the stove, (Fig. 14.)
 The articles used for setting Fig. 15.
tables are to be placed on the
shelves at the front and side of
the sink. Two tumbler-trays,
made of pasteboard, covered
with varnished fancy papers and
divided by wires, (as shown in Fig. 15,) save many steps
in setting and clearing table. Shnilar trays, (Fig. IC,) for
knives and forks and spoons, serve
the same purpose.
The sink should be three feet
long and three inches deej), its
width matching the cook-form.
Fig. 17 is the second or attic story. The main objection
to attic rooms is their warmth in summer, owing to the
heated roof. This is prevented by so enlarging the closets
each side that theii* walls meet Fig. 18.
the ceiling under the garret
floor, thus excluding nil the
roof. In the bed-chambers,
corner dressing-tables, as Fig.
18, instciad of projecting bu-
reaus, save much space for
use, and give a handsome
form and finish to the room.
In the bath-room must be
the opening to the-garret, and
a step-ladder to reach it. A
reservoir in the garret, sup-
plied by a forcing-pump in ^
the cellar or at the sink, must
be w^ell supported by timbers, and the plumbing must be
well done, or much annoyance will ensue.
The large chambers are to be lighted by large windows
or glazed sliding-dooi-s, opening upon the balcony. A roof
can be put over the balcony and its sides inclosed by win-
 dows, and the chamber extend into it, and be thus much
enlarged.
The water-closets must have the latest improvements
for safe discharge, and there will be no trouble. Tliey
cost no more than an out-door building, and save from tho
most disagreeable house-labor.
A gretit improvement, called earth-closets, w^ill probably
take the place of water-closets to some extent; though at
present the water is the more convenient. A descrii)tioii of
the earth-closet will be given in another chapter rehiting to
tenement-houses for the poor in large cities.
The method of vciitilatins: all the chambers, and also
the cellar, wdll be described in another chapter.
Fig. 19 represents a shoe-bag, j-ig, jg^
that can be fastened to the side
of a clo-set or closet-door.
Fig. 20 represents a piece-bag,
and is a very great labor and space-
saving inventi'oji. I t is made of
calico, and fastened to the side of
a closet or a door, to hold all the
bundles that are usually stowed
in trunks and drawers. India-
rubber or elastic tape drawn into
hems to hold the contents of the
bag is better than tape-strings.
Each bag should be labeled with
the name of its contents, written
with indelible ink on wdiite tape sewed on to the bag.
Such systeintitic arrangement saves much tune and annoy-
ance. Drawers or trunks to hold tliese articles can not be
kept so easily in good order, and moreover, occupy spaces
saved by this contrivance.
Fig. 21 is the basement. I t has the floor and sides plas-
tered, and is lighted with glazed doors. A form is raised
close by the cellar stairs, for baskets, pails, and tubs.
Here, also, the refrigerator can be placed, or, wdiat is
better, an ice-closet can be made, as designated in the
illustration. The floor of the btiseinent must be an in-
clined plane toward a drain, and be plastered with water-
lime. The wash-tubs have plugs in the bottom to let off
Fig. 17.
 water, and cocks and i)ipes over them bringing cold water
from the reservoir in the garret and hot water from the
laundry stove. This saves much heavy lubor of emptying
tubs and carrying avater.
The laundry closet has a stove for heating irons, and
also a kettle on top for heating water. Slides or clothes-
frames are made to di-aw out to receive wet clothes, and
then run into the closet to dry. This saves health as well
as time and money, and the clothes are as white as when
dried outdoors.
The wood-work of the house, for doors, windows, etc.,
ehould be oiled chestnut, butternut, whitewood, and pine.
This is cheaper, handsomer, and more easy to keep clean
than painted wood.
Fig. 20.
 Fig. 21.

In Fig. 1 are planned two conservatories, and few under-

stand their value in the training of the young. They pro-
vide soil, in which children, through the winter months,
can be starting seeds and plants for their gardens and rais-
ing valuable, tender plants. Every child should cultivate
flowers and fruits to sell and to gjve away, and thus be
taught to learn the value of money and to practice both
economy and benevolence.
According to the calculation of a house-carpenter, in a
place where the average price of lumber is $4 a hundred,
and carpenter work $3 a day, such a house can be built
for $1G00. For those practicing the closest economy, two
small families could occupy it, by dividing the kitchen,
and yet have room enough. Or one large room and the
chamber over it can be left till increase of family and
means require enlargement.
A strong horse and carryall, with a cow, garden, vine-
yard, and orchard, on a few acres, w^ould secure all the
substantial comforts found in greflt establishments, with-
out the trouble of ill-qualified servants.
And if the parents and children, were united in the
daily labors of the house, garden, aha fruit culture, such
thrift, health, and happiness would be secured as is but
rarely found among the rich.
Let us suppose a colony of cultivated and Christian peo-
ple, having abundant wealth, who now are living as the
wealthy usually do, emigrating to some of the beauti-
ful Southern uplands, where are rocks, hills, valleys, and
mountains as picturesque as those of lS"ew-England, where
the thermometer but rarely reaches 90° in summer, and
in winter as rarely sinks below freezing-point, so that out-
door labor goes on all the year, where the fertile soil is
easily worked, where rich tropical fruits and flowers
abound, where cotton and silk can be raised by children
around their home, where the produce of vineyards and
orchards flnds steady markets by railroads ready made;
suppose such a colony, with a central church and school-
room, library, hall for sports, and a common laundry, (tak-
ing the most trying part of domestic labor from each
house,)—suppose each ftimily to train the children to
labor with the hands as a healthful and honorable duty;
suppose all this, which is perfectly practicable, would not
the enjoyment of this life be increased, and also abundant
treasures be laid up in heaven, by using the wealth thus
economized in diffusing similar enjoyments and culture
among the poor, ignorant, and neglected ones in desolated
sections where many now are perishing for want of such
Christian example and influences?
 1870s
• House Plans....1874
4 Hints on Housebuilding....1872
• Dust in Cities....1872
• Aunf s New House....1872
• "Door Steps"....1875
• Comfort Below Stairs....1875
• The Piazza....l875
• Color in Houses....1875
• Frameless Houses....1875
• House & Home Building....1877
• ANewFlooring....l879
• Plans for Tenement Houses....1879
 MODEL RESIDENCE.
Droton expressly/or Qodeifs Lady's Book, by ISAAO H. HOBBS & SON, Architects, 809 and 811 Cffiestnut Street
formerly of 436 Walnttt Street, Philadelphia.
THE above desi{;n was drawn for and built by Mrs.
Esliioniiin. It is situated on Duke Street, Lancaster,
aud liua given entire satisfaction. It Is the most
ImHtlsomo lionseintlie cltv,and iiasacarriage-housa
ill the lear which is in good ch.aracter with the dwelU
ing. The honse and stable cost about 918,000, wUh
iliiely laid-oiit grounds. The house is uainted in imi-
tation of the Berea stone of Ohio, wltii no change ot
color between the cornices and the walls, which In
almost all cases is done in a vulgar manner, aud de-
i'lUST STOttT. SECOND STORT.
stroys the rays of light that good proportion always
throws upon the surfaces it not marred by contrast-
int; colors. No one is willing to put a broxm stone
cornice upon a white marble buildine, for the tastes
of .ill would decide for a white marble cornice to a
marble lioii.sc. The garden in front 14 all gr:iss and
walk.s except llower.s placed in vases. The stories of
the house arc 12 feet first story, 11 feet second, and
12 feet third, or French roof.
First Story.—Y vestibule 6 by 8 feet wide; H hall,
8 feet wide; P parlor, 29 by 19 feet; L library, 15 by
31 feet: DR dining-room, U by 21 feet; K kitchen,
12 by 17 feet.
Second Story.—n hall, 8 feet; PC principal cham-
ber, 19 by Zi feet; C chamber, 1-5 by 1.5 feet; C cliam-
her, 12 by 15 feet: 0 chamber, 14 by 17 feet; C cham-
ber, 12 by 21 feet 6 inchea
"MODEL."—The word model Is composed of the
Initial letters of the choicest features of a true home,
namely, ilfethod. Obedience, Dllipronce. £?conomy,
aud iove. Method puts every duty In Its right
lace, and assigns to the dillerent members of tho
Eouschold their approprUite p.art, so that each one
may work to proflt and advantage. Obedience.—
There must be government to secure order aud effi-
ciency. The obedience rendered should be willing,
cheerful, and cordial, else the loval element is want-
ing, and it becomes the service of a slave, and not o(
a child. Dttifircnce.—"Not slotliful in business."
There is Just so much to be done in every household,
or its interests suffer. Economy.—"Gather up the
fragments, that nothing be lost." By economizing
time, you vrtll have leisure for culture, and for labors
of love. Economize your means. Distineuish care-
fully between vour wishes and your wants. This
will keep debt from your dwelling. Lom binds the
home circle together in bonds softer than silk, yet
stronger than steeL
THE STRONGEST WOMAN IN EUROFR—Madame
Pattl has made her d&mt in Moscow with such a c
ceptatlon that she was called before the curtain
thirty times. The bouquet of camelias thrown by
the Pilncess Dolgoroukl was so large as to require
two men to carry it across the stage, and the v.ilue
of the flowers showered upon the famous cautatrlce
amounted to STiOO. Hero Is a woman stronoc enough
to throw a bouquet some distance that took two men
to carry!
 MODEL RESIDENCE.
Drawn expressly for Oodcy'a Lady's Book, by ISAJ.O H. lionns & SON, Architects, 809 and 811 C7ie»tnut Street,
formerly of i3fi Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
TUB abovo rtcslpn, In f!io American G'lthio stylo,
is now iK'iiKi built for William M. L'"Vd, bankci, at
Altooiiii, I'a., a flourlshlii? town on the liiio of tlio
Cnitnil IJallroait. Tlio Inilldlu':; Is well situated,
with a largo plantation upon a sliiplii.u liltl, the lawn
iu front of the house bein.ii nearly -si.x hundred feet,
and when llnlsliod it v^lll be ono of princely elTect.
It is being (inished with black walnut In the finest
style. The elev.ation Is ot pointed lubblo masonry,
ofmountainfreestonc of alight color. The dressings
FIRST BTOnT.
are of Berea stone from Ohio. Its cost will be be-
tween 635,000 and $^10,000. We hsivo many other
buildings in Altonnn, as well as many of the other
towns along the ilile of this road. .
First Story.—y vestibule, 5 feet 4 Inches by 10
feet; L library, 12 feet by 14 feet 6 inches; P parlor.
1.5 feet by 2G foct 0 Indies; DB (Hiilng-room, Vi by lf»
feet: G eoiisurvatorv, 3 foct 6 inches by 10 feet 8
inclios: r pautry. C feet by 10 feet 6 Inches; L lava-
torv, 4 feet G iiidirs by 6 feet 4 Indies; K kitchen, 14
by 14 fe"t; SR storo-room, 3 feet 9 inches by 10 feet
two inches; S scullery, IU feet by U feet 6 inches; II
h;Ul, 10 feet wide.
Si'cond Story.—DK dressing-room, 7 feet 3 inches
by 10 feet4 Inches: C chamber, 12 feet 4 Inches Inr
14 feet 6 inches; C chamber, 15 feet by 20 feet W
SECOND STORT.
inches; 0 chamber, 13 feet7 Inches by 17 feet 8 Inches;
BR bath-room, 7 feet 4 Inches by 10 feet; DR
dressing-room, 5 feet 3 inches by 9 feet 7 Inches; (J
chamber, 15 feet by 13 feet 3 Inches; C chamber, a
by 12 feet; C chamber, 8 feet by 11 feet 7 inches; 0
closets.
 AMERICAN ORNAMENTAL VILLA.
Drawn expressly for Godey^g Lady's Book, by Isxiuo H. UOBBS & SON, Architects, 809 and 811 Chestnut Street,
formerly of i36 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

Tnis ornamental villa was designed for and built
by A. D. Gyger, Esq., at Bird-In-Hand, a station on
the rennsvlvanla Itall Road, about six miles east of
Lanca.ster. It has given groat satisfaction, and Is a
grand success, both In appearance externally and In-
side arrangements. It is commodious, free, and ca-
pable of being furnished with great elegance. The
windows are fitted with our patent blinds, and the
architraves are of a new design, used extensively by
our firm. The heavy part is placed next to the door
or "window, and the washboard moulding swoops
or sash beads. The pulleys and sash cords are hid-
den from view. The sash can be taken ont and
placed back without dlsflgurlng the paint or marring
the window in the least. They cost about the same
as the old method, and are so tight that they exclude
all air, and do not rattle. A full model frame can be
seen at the office. After the first of July, our ofllce
will be at 804 North Eighth Street A cut of the
same will appear in the next Issue.
. First Story.—V vestibule, 7 feet 3 inches by 7 feet 3
Inches; P parlor, 20 feet by 27 feet 10 Inches; L 11-

FIRST STORT. SECOND STORT. ,

around them by having a small ring turned of their
shape, and cut In four quarters; each quarter being
placed iu the corners of each top, and ono on the
uuttom, so that by an easy sweep the mouldings p.oss
from the washboard around the door. This building
is of bricks, laid Hush, joints rubbed down and paint-
ed. Its cost was 820,000, with all conveniences.
We liave recently invented a new mode of making
sash, requiring no putty; also a windoifr frame, with
an improved pulley stile, requiring no parting strips
brarr, 14 by It feet: DR dining-room, 14 by 22 feet;
K kitchen, 15 by 17 feet; SB itore-room, 4 feet 8
Inches bv 10 feet; S scullery, 10 feet by U feet 6
Inches; H hall, 8 feet \VIde. ., . ^
Secondfi:to»*y.—DRdressing-room, 7 feet 3 inches
by 10 feet 9 Inches; PC principal chamber, 20 feet by
27 feet 10 iiiches; C chamber, 14 feet by 15 feet 3
Inches; C cliamber, 12 feet 9 Inches by 18 feet 9
Inches; C chamber, 15 by 17 feet; With a bath-room,
6 feet by 10 feet 4 inches.
 MODEL RESIDENCE.
Drawn expressly for Oodey's Lady^s Book, by IaJi.KO H. HOBBS SI SON, Architects, 809 anif 811 CSiestnut Street,
formerly of iS6 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
TUB above design was drawn for and built by Mr.
O. S. Ilubbell, the well-known druggist of this city,
at IJivfrclIlIe, near Norwalk, Cuhnecticut. He i.s
the owner of the celebrated bird Arial, the carrier
iiigeoii that has taken the premium as the best bird
in Mic world. This building has met with his entire
approbation, and he stated to us that all who see it
do not dilfcr from the Dally Oraphtc's account of it,
as the handsomest house in the United States of
equal oosr.. It is plain and beautiful, and cost about
$15,000, with the interior well finished.
FIRST STORT.
Wo have recently made an invention of an entirely
new style of finish for the Inside of a house, that pos-
sesses the ;uivantage of enabling persons to use wal-
nut and other hard woods in the entire finish, with
comparatively little or no addition in the cost over
painted woodwork of best quality white pine. We
ive onr patrons the ndv.antage ot our invention.
f hose who are building under other architects, <ie-
siring to save money and obtain rich and beautiful
aiiariments, can be supplied with details and draw-
ings ot tho same at tho rate of one per cent, upon
their cost as per agreement.
First Story.-H hall, 8 feet wide; P parlor, 16 bv
IG feet; DR dlnlns-rooni, 1« by 16 feet: L library, 12
by 20 feet; DR drawing-room. Ifi by 11 fert; K kitcli-
en, 1.1 feet by 19feet9Inches; i; witli a larder, 8 by 10
feet; and a store closet, 5 feet 6 inches by 8 feet 3
inches.
SECOND STORT.
fiiscorKf story.—C chamber, 16 by 16 feet; 0 cham-
ber, 8 feet 4 inches by 12 feet; C cliamber, 16 by W
feet; C cliamber, 12 feet 6 inches by 13 feet 6 inches:
BR bath-room, 5 feet6inches by 16 feet; DR dress-
ing-room, 5 feet by 8 feet 6 inches; C chamber, 15 by
Ki feet: C cii.tmber, 13 by 16feet; DR dressing-room,
5 by 8 feet; DR dressing-room, 5 by 8 feet; with a
linen closet, 6 feet 6 inches by 7 feet.
UsEFui, AND NEAT.—Winter, the season for frac-
tnred limbs, is upon us, and it behooves those who
desire to preserve their an.itomies intact to make all
liosstble preparations in advance. In this connec-
tion we would state fhat a want long felt has been
supplied bv Mr. Abi-nm HeulIntTs, of the American
Hotel of Philadelphia. Mr. H. has invented a neat,
serviceable, and most excellent style ot " creeper,"
which can easily be attached to the shoes or boots ot
either ladies or gents, nnd can be worn either in
street or parlor. It is both cheap and durable, and
when worn, slipping on icy sidewalks will .simply
bo an ImiHissibnlty. This invention has been se-
cured by letters p.ttent, and City and County righte*
can only be obtained bv application to Mr. A.. Heii-
lings, atthe American Hotel, Philadelphia, where the
"creepers" are for sale.
 PICTURESQUE ITALIAN VILLA.
Drawn expressly for Oodey^t Lady's Book, by ISAAC H. Hoiina & SON, Architects, 809 and 311 Cheslniit Street
formerly qr i^a Walnut Stre't, Philndi'lphia.

THE above design is intended as a country house. Fir»t Story.—B hall; F parlor, 12 by 14 feet 6 Inches:
Its detail parts are simple and direct It is not the DR dining-room, 11 by 12 feet; K kitchen, 12 by 12
kind of house to build in prime uniform lines, as is feet; S sink-room, 4 by 6 feet: C conservatory, 7 by
common in villages. It will harmonize well with 12 feet; aud a store-room, 4 by 6 feet.
natural sccnei-y. aud cau be constructed ot frame,
weather-boarded, at a cost ot about $1000. It has
four fine porches, but no mouldings must be used in
the design. The roof Is covered with iron or tin. As
we are continually receiving letters from persons
who have attempted to build without an architect,
and often those who have no experience get into
ditllculties, sometimes placing the liouse too high at
otiiei's too low; we will state to those persons that
we are willing at all times to give them the advan-
tage of our experience for a small fee, and it Is rarely
ever Impossible to remedy the evil to a great extent.
Many hundreds of houses are spoiled by the painter

SECOND STORT.
Second Story.-H hall; PC principal chamber, 12
by 14feet; C chamber, 11 by 12 feet: R bed-room, 6
by 9 feet; B bed-room, 6 by 9 feet; C closets.

FREEDOM OF THE PRESS.—In St Petersburgh, re-

cently, the editor of a dally newspaper, being much
Impressed with the prevalence of drunkenness, de-
termined to Instruct the public mind on the subject,
and, with this view, took an excursion into the coun-
try to collect facts on tlie subject. There lie found
tvro tvpical villages, one, where there was no tavern,
FIRST STORT.
all order and thrift, the other, where the tavern wiu
a conspicuous object all poverty, misery, disease,
alone, and we always advise to paint a honse of one and dirt On this he wrote a powerful article, mak-
simple tone of color, avoiding tlie color ot dust and ingthey
an appeal to right-minded persons to do what
could to mitigate this evil, but he unfortunately
ilirt of lliu violultv, but it of the same tone, must be brought It t^ a close by asking, "AVhere are tlie
brighter and have a cleanlier appearance. We offer clergv', and why do they not preach npiinst dnuik-
our rights of Hobbs's patent double pivot blind for enuess?" The police authorities, being unable to
sale In all the Eastern, Middle, and Southern States. answer this home qnestlou, gave it up, and set tied
Ir works without the middle rod. Orders will be re-
ceived to I'xccuto all kituls ot drawings, landscape the ot
difficulty suiuinarily by suppressing the eilltlon
tlie paper \a which the article was to appear.
gardening, church illuminations, etc.
 SUBURBAN RESIDENCE.
Draum expressly for Godey's Lady's Book, by U.K KG H.HOBHS&SON, ^l rc/tffccfs, 809 and 8UC?»€«tnwf street,
formerly of 436 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
THE above suburban residence was drawn for B. C.
Taylor, Esq., ot the B. C. Taylor Manufacturing Co.,
Davton, Ohloi and is being built on one ot the five
wide avenues of that beautiful and healthy city.
It will be constnicted ot brick, with Berea stoiio
trimmings, and contains all the modern Improve-
ments, viz., Hobbs's new and beautiful style of finish,
a vast Improvement over the old-fashloucd Archl-
FIRST STOUT.
trave, which was also Invented by Mr. Hobbs. This
new RMO ot moulding ciilircly leversi's the old
iiicthou; the heavy slue Is next tho door, and the
M ash board moukUngs are lotatcd around tlicin.
AlsD Hobbs's double pivot blinds, which do away
with tho clunisy stick down tlulr centre, bv tho sub.
stitutloii of a silver plated .strip nlongslilo ot the
stiles. Thoy aro a(l]ust:ible up and down, and clo.sc,
tierfectly tlijht, when v.cll nailed, and are not moved
ly the wind. Care aud new invention is brought to
bciir iu every part of this structure. Its whole cost
wlll not exceed S20,000, elegantly flniahed, with but-
ternut wood rubbed down in oil. Persons deslrhm
information and our opinion upon works they have
in jirocess, designed by other architects, must In-
close a fee of $5 to insure attention.
First Story.—\ vestibule, 6 feet by 7 feet 6 inches;
H hall. 7 feet 6 Inches wide.; P iiarlor, 15 by 20 feet:
SR slttlng-roouis, 14 feet by 14 feet 6 inches; Dli
dining-rooiu, 14 feet 6 inches by 16 feet 3 Inches; BK
bath-room. 5 feet 6 inches by 8 feet 6 iuclics; C clrani-
lier, 10feet 6inches by 14feet 6 inches; Iv kitclien,
15 feet 8 inches by 17 feet; PR pump-room. 7 by 7
fret; a ])aiitry .'» feet 6 liu>h(!S by 11 feet Q inches;
and a large number of closets.
SECOND BTORT.
Second Story.—C cliambei-, 1-5 by 20 feet; C cham-
bcr. 13 feet 6 Inches bv 14 feet; C dianil)f;r, 1.1 feet 9
inches bv 14 feet; C chamber, 14 feet by 14 fert 6
Indies; B R bath-room, 5 feet 6 Indies by 8 feet 6
inclics: C chamber, 10 feet G inches by 14 feet Giiicli-
es; Sit l)cil-nionis,10 by 14 feet; and ndressiug-rooin,
7 Icct 6 Inches by 7 feet 0 inches.
 SUBURBAN RESIDENCE.
Drawn expressly for Godey's Lady's Book, by ISAAC U. HoBoa & SON, Architects, 809 and 811 Clieslnut Street
fotmerly of ^iid Walnut f«.rcet, Philadelphia.

TnE above is a cheap French suburban residence.
The interior Is wdl arraujied for comfort and con-
venience, :ind can be well built Iu the viclnltv ot
Philadelphia for $4000. We will .supplv full drawings
aud spccillcations drawn out to fidly explain the
whole so that any intelligent builder In the country
can build It without difliculty, giving all the detail
parts their full size. Onr price Is uniformly 2li |ier
cent upon our published estimate; tor this design the
charge would be $100. Everywhere in the United
pav; and as we also make, a portion of our business
landscape gardening, when grounds are to be placed
In artistic association, we must have the grades
marked distinctly and a map sent to us showing the
plantation, which can always be executed by a SUK
veyor. This saves money. In grading .and forming
the same into line eflect, as many persons have fine
plantations requiring but little to render them truly
picturesque with very little outlay, yet for the want
ot the pnictlcal knowledge only obtained by experl-

8EC05D STORY.
ence and cultiuv, they fail to obtain the .same, a*id
often destroy what would iiave been their greanst
beauty. Our charges for«thc same will lie found r<M-
FIRST STORT. sonable, and estimates are always freely given wlien
required. For large iiarks we always have pi-actlcal
states ajid Canada residents are availing themselves ganleners at our command, who personally superin-
of our services. Any person ordering drawings for tend tlie work of the same, that we can recomnientL
a house should always fully describe the location, First Story.—K hall, 8 feet wide; P parlor, 1?. by IB
and size of the lot, the distance back from the road, feet: DR dInlng-r(Him, 12 by IS feet; K kitchen, 12
width ot its front and tbe kind ot building th.tt will by 16 feet; S shed, 3 by 12 feet; C conservatory.
l>o In .tssodatlon with it, al.so the grade of the gi-onnds. Second Stonf.—G cliamber, 12 by 10 feet: C ch.atn-
Wc know this Is troublesome, but it will be found to ber, 12 by IS feet: C chamber, 10 by 16 feet; H UalL
 ORNAMENTAL OOTTAQR
Droton expressly for Oodey's Lady'sSook, by ISAAC H. HOBBS & SON, Architects, 809 OTid 811 Chestnut Street,
formerly of 436 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
THE above design is an organization between tlie
French and cottage style of treatment It Is conve-
nient and commodious for a small family, and can
be built fur $4000 In frame, and in brick for £5000, the
second story almost containing a full perpendicular
6ne, a small angular slope near the ceiling caused
by the roof, which'makes a very fine internal effect
The roof Is slate, with the top of tin. These designs
are all original and well considered. We are makTug
great improvements in internal finish In houses that
renders them more beautiful and cheaper. We tin-
Isb most of them without stucco cornices; plain
" ^
. WB8T fTORT.
Straight walls, which are painted one coat with oil
and white lead and two coats or oil and turpentine;
the third and fourth coat with acoustic varnish,
tinted to any desirable color.^ This acoustic varnish
costs $2.50 per gallon, and two gallons will paint a
parlor two coats 15 by SO feet walls and ceilings.
It becomes verj* hard, and can be ea-Mly scrubbed.
Any turpentine or other material'Mrill cause lead to
turn yellow in a darkened room with great rapidity,
and yon ot necessity must use French zino, which
has not the solidity or durability as the best lead,
and if pure. Is very expensive, and so the imitation
article is resorted ta The picture moulding is not
expensive, being made in such a way that hooks can
be placed In a groove which It contains, and all the
pictures can be hung, without driving a single nail,
with silvered wire or'copper and brass made for the
{mrpose. This mode ot finish makes the ceilings
ook higher than tliey do wltli plaster cornices.
First Story.-K hall, 7 feet 6 inches wide; P par-
SBCOMD 8T0RT.
lor, 15 by IT Iset 6 inches; SR sittfnc-room, 12 by 15
feet; DB dining-room, 13 by 14 feet; C5 chamber, 9 by
15 feet; K kitclien, 10 by 13 feet; L library, 9 by 13
feet
Second Story.—n hall; C chamber, 14 feet 6 inches
by 15 feetftInches: C chamber. It fleet 6 Inches by 1.1
feet: Cchamber, 10 by 15 feet ^"itli a large number
of closets.
 AN AMERICAN COTTAGK
Drawnexprea^y for Oodey's Lady'sBook,by laxAC H. HOBBS&SON, Architects, S09 and Sil Chestnut Street
formerly o/486 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

THE above design is a beautiful tyne of an Ameri- loft above the second floor. An open commnnieiu
can home. We have many orders for drawings of tion from below the conilce must be made to com-
such style of houses, but scarcely two of them meet municate with it all around, and there must be two
the wants of dilterent families. Some people persist flues—one open at the bottom of this loft, and pass*
In filling their lunises with closets, and, when in ex- ing through the roof; and the other open at top ot
cess, they bucome hiding places. Things are often the loft, nnd opening out high above. This insures
pill: away that are vory difilcult to find. Thero a constant change of air in the vault, and renders
should be a coinmodiuus closet and clothes-press in' the upper rooms cool and comfortable at all times.
every cliaml>er; the kitchen should have ample First Story.—HAW, 10 feet wide: P parior, 16 by 22
places f<M' its necessary articles; the store-room, leet: 8R sitting-room, 16 by 18 feet: DR dining-room.
butler's pitntry, are all necessary, and requirements 14 by 22 feet: C chamber, 14 by 18 feet; K kitchen,
of different families. Persons looking over these 14 by 18 feet
designs must uot always credit tbelr conveniences second Story.—G chamber, 16 by 22 feet; C cham*

^ ^
VIRST 8T0RT. SECOND 8TOBT.
so mnch to us ns the party who has ordered the ber, 10 by 10 feet; C chamber, 16 by 18 feet; C cham-
drawings tliat the cut represents. This building ber, 14 by 18 feet; G chamber, 14 by 22 feet; C chain-
can be built for $2500 vory complete, by good super- ber, 14 by 18 feet
intendence on the jpart of the owner in purchasing
materials, and seeing that thev are used economi-
cally. The house is of frame, covered with felt A MAN courting a young womaD was Interrogated
weatlier tioarded. This felt is now manufactured as to his occupation. "I am a paper-banger on a
quite thick, and nailed upon the studding. The largo scale," he replied. He was accejited :isa suitor,
riMit may b« shingles or slate: a double layer ot pa- and after marriage it was found that he was a bill-
per slioiild bo under them. Thoi'o is au air space ur sticker.
 MODEL RESIDENCE.
Drawn expressly for Oodey's Lady's Book, by ISAAC H. HOBBS & SON, Architects, 809 and 811 Oiestnut Street
formerly of 43'3 Walnut Street, Philadelphia,
THE above buildinp: was designed for P. K. Boyd,
Esq., of tiarilsburg, I'ciinsvlvaiila, and is being built
opposite to the front entrance of tlie State capItoI.
The base of the building and the window and door
dressings arc of Berea stone from Ohio, and the su-
perstructure Is of brick; tbo porches, cornicesi etc.,
arc of wood, with the roof of slates aud tin. Tlie In-
terior IsfinelyIhilslied In polished walnut; the Inside
shutters iiiid finisli are ilobbs's Improved stj'le; giv-
ing massive and artistic effect upon entering. The
FIRST STORT.
house is very eommodlous, and supplied with all the
new Imiirovements, at a cost of about 8*20,000. It was
built uiuier the system of giving each mechanic an
opportunity to estimate for his own; work, making
the bricklayer, carpenter, plasterer, etc, each re-
sponsible to the owner, and also supplying each
branch of mechanics with an opportunity to receive
the merit of Ms particular branch ot work, a mode
which is giiining rapidly In favor. It Insures tbe
owner against lions, by having every cent paid, and
saves all the trouble and vexation in obtaining re-
lenses, as all who have had contract work done can
apnipulaf0. The de.sign is original with us, and Is an
evolution ot the ovo law of proportion.
Hall & Garrison of this city are the agents tor our
patent window blind, which does away with the
woollen rod that moves the slats, by the substitution
of a brass rod acting against the stllo of the shutter.
Tliev are eaailycle.aned, and are not moved by winds,
and'close up tight when properly made.
8ECOND BTORT.
First Storn.—V vestibule, 6 by 8feet; H hall, 8 feet
wide; P parlor, 15 by 30 feet; L library, 15 feet by
26 feet 5 Inches; DR dining-room, 15 by 24 feet; K
kitchen, 13 feet 9 inches by 18 feet 4 Inches; 0 china-
closet 6 fpet 2 inches by 8 feet 6 inches; P pantry, 5
feet 2 Inches by 8 feet 6 loclies.
Second Storj/.-V dressing-room, 8 feet by 9 feet 6
Inches: Cchamber, 15feet4inches by2.1 feet8Indies;
C chamber, 15 feet 4 inches by 23 feet 1 inch; B bath-
room, 6 feet by 10 ffct 2 inches; C chamber, 15 by 24
feet: C chamber, 10 feet 6 inches by 24 feet
 SUBURBiU* RESIDENCE.
Drawn expressly for Godey's Lady's nook, by ISAAC IL HOBWS & SON, Architects, 809 and 811 C/iestnjit Street,
formerly of 43/6 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
THE above design was drawn for a gentleman Iu
Lancaster, Pa., and has tour rooms on tiie first floor,
four chamliers on the second, and four ou the third
floor. The building can be reailUy placed ou a fifty
feet front lot. The nroiioitions are good and conve-
niently arranged. The house can be constructed ot
bricks tor $<5<KM) and of frame for $5000. It will be
found to contain elegance and conveulcuco adapta-
ble to any situation.
We win SHud full drawing .and specifications to
fully-construct in frame for $li5, and iu brb-ks for
91.50, suiting it to the wants of the owner and adiuit-
iug it to the location. Hobbs's Arctiltectural De-
FIRST STORT.
signs, a book of Suburban and Rural Residences will
be sent by mall to any address upon the rccelptof ?.i
First Story.—U li.all; f> feet wide; P parlor. 13 bv
21 feet 6 inches; SR sltting-rooin, 12 by 12 feet '6
inches, with a bay-wlndow,4.feetC Indies bv9feet;
DR dining-room, 13 by 17 feet; K kitclien, 11 by 12
feet
Second Story.—C eliambsr, 13 by 21 feet 6 inches;
C chamber, 12 by 12 feet; C chamber, 13 by 17 feet;
B bed-rouin, 11 by 12 feet.
L"^lPllll'MU.
I« ^ I—CH> w J
"^t c
SECOND STORT.
ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS.
UNDER this head will be found all Information
connected with MSS., and answers from tho Fashion
Editress. , , .,, ,, ^ • •
Upon all matters connected with the Fashions,
address " Fashion Editress, care L. A. Godey, Phila-
delplda." Mrs. Hale Is not the Fashion hditress.
In sending an order to the Fashion hditress, the
cash mast always accompany i t or it will not be at-
tended to. . . M i l
All persons requiring answers by mall iiuist send
a post-oflice stamp; and for all articles that are to
be sent by mall, stamps must be sent to pay return
Be lisiitlcular, when writing, to mention the towai,
county, aud Stite you reside in. Nothing can be
made out of postmarks. . . ^ . , ,„
Any iieisoH making inquiries to be answered in
any particular number must send their re.quest at
least two months previous to the date of publication
ot thakuumber.
 SUBURBAN RESIDENCE.
Draum expressly for Godey's Lady's Boob, hy l3,VAC H. Houus & SON, Arekitects, 809 and 811 Oiestnut Street,
formerly of 4!iti Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
TUB above design Is a cheap suburban residence
of simple character. The kitchen wing Is one story
liigli. The house has four rooms on first floor, three
ou second, and three on third; the stories eleven
feet, ten feet, and nine feet respectively; built in
good style. It will cost ot frame, weatherboarded,
SoOOO: and of bricks, painted, $3500L Pei-sons approv-
ing of this style of architecture, cannot fail to like
this sample, as Its proportions are carefully adjusted.
We have for s.ile "Hobbs' Architectural Designs,"
j»nce $3; also Hobbs'double pivot blinds, that are
being largely manufactured in this city and else-
where. Patent rights for sale lor all Stsites except
the Northwestern States.
Sdiediilo of charges for Architectural Designs,
spedtlcjitlous, etc.:—
tor drawing elevation ot four sides and
plans of stories, 1}^ per cent
For full size details throughout 1 per cent
..,'. specifications and bills of quan-
t"ie3, 3^ per cenj.
Makinc a total of 3 percent
I«or full superintendence, 2 per cent
Charge ot the expenses ot travel over twenty-flve
mliea are added to the above.
FIRST STORT.
jRr«t Sforw.-II hall, 8 feet wide: P parior, 12 by
16 feet; DR dining-room, 15 by 16 feet; L library, lo
by lo fcct; 1£ kitchen, 15 by 16 feet
SECOND STORT.
Secm^ Story.—C ch.amber, 12by 16feet; C cham-
ber lo by 15 feet a C chamber, 10 by 16 feet; H hall,
and a number ol closets.
M. LOUIS LAQABD, of the Cburrier Municipal,
Paris, has Just published .an essay, showing how iier-
sons who sold tainted meat used to be punished. He
writes th.at In June, 1351, Jaques Touriiebru, nick-
named the Shearer, seized .some suspected meat on
tlie stall ot Pierre Bardel. A report was instantly
drawn up and transmitted to ihe syndic of the
butchers, Michel Saint-Yon. An inquiry was or-
tiered, and It was found that the accused was au old
offender. A sccoml report was addressed to the
Provost ot Paris, comiiaringthe culprit to a poisoner,
and demanding, iu the name of a corporation out-
raged by the Infamy ot one of Its members, the des-
radatiou and then tlio death of Pierre Bardel. The
first magistrate of the police approved the conclu-
sions of the repoi-t and the dellnqiient was con-
deiiined to pass through three lioure In the pillory,
and then to perish by the liands of the public execu-
tioner. On the day of the execution, one liiiudred
and twenty-seven butchers of the city of Paris re-
paired to the market and drew tliemselvi-a up annuid
the pillory. At the end ot three hours, the tipslall
announced to the people that the iirlsoiier was about
to be executed. All the butchers, with Latu olf.
bowed their heads, and Justice was done.
 ITALIAN VILLA.
Draion expresAyfor Godey'a Lady's Book, by ISAAC H. HOBBS & SON, Architects, 809 and 811 Oiestnut Street
formerly of ^36 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.
THE above villa, constructed of bricks, rubbed
down and painted, will cost between $4500 and $5000,
and it built of frame considerably less. The roof Is
ot tin. The arrangement ot the steps to the princi-
pal floor lias a good effect. Tbe basement shonld be
rubble m.asourv, pointed. The design shows the
garden front, the principal front not being seen.
Tho arrangement of tlie terr.aoes with flowering bor-
ders will be most beautiful and unique. Tlie situa-
tion of tiie fountain, both frout and rear, has a good
eQect The terrace stejis can be of wood. This de-
FIRST STORT.
sign is most admirably adapted for a .summer seat
of much reilnement. The placing nf Ta.sRS and
statues ill the front wilt be in beautiful harmony
with tlie building. Tlie front lawn should be kept
broad and not chopped up by foliage and with very
few plants in the ground. A line ot Jardlneres on
e.ach side of the principal walls with a few solitaire
evergreens, properly situated, would carry out tbe
elTect. We supply plans for landscape gardening,
but charge extra for them. Parties desiring Infor-
mation, receive attention for a small fee, as many
persons build without an architect, and aie continu-
ally getting into difficulties^for want of experleuce.
We send our book of designs, contaiuinu nearly 100
buildings, with their plans, ui>on the receipt of S3.
First Story.—H hall; P parlor, 14 by 20 feet; L
SECOND STOKT.
library, 15 by 15 feet: DR dining-room, 12 by 18 feet;
SR sitting-room, 12 by 14 feet; DWdumb-waiter; 00
chbia closet
iSfecond Story.—n hall; PC principal chamber, 14
by 21) feet; C chamber, 15 by la feet; C chamber, 12
by 18 feet; N nursery, 12 by U feet
 SWISS COTTAGE.
Drawn expressly for Godey's Lady's Book, by ISAAC IL HOBBS & SON, Architects, 809 and 8U Chestnut Street
formerly of 436 WiUnut Street, Philadelphia.

THE above Is a design of a Swiss cottage organized tastes ot those who inhabit these localities. Porches,
to suit the American needs In some of our mountain .bays, etc., can be added to such a structure, ana
glens and canons ot California. In such a situation the whole being omam^tai in its shapes, the best
u will have a very pictiuresque eilect. It is one ot architecture is possible. The above buildiug win
those kind ot designs that are capable of being built cost about $3000 well built in most sections of the
of unplaned lumber, simply planed on the edges and country. Fvdl drawings, spedflcations, etc., will be

FmST STORT. B B O O N D STORT.

ditto definite shapes according to the design, and
covered with shingles. It has a balcony halt way
around the whole building, which screens the first
story from sun nnd rain and renders the rooms com-
fortable, and acts as a wind sail, inducing air through
the rooms in the summer time. It is designed to be
built of stone for first stoiy and brick for the second,
vdth stone dresidngs, and will cost about $5000. It is
necessary that full drawings should bo secured with
.all the parts clearly siieclfled, that no more material
shall be secured than the amount required, .as the
transportation in some localities costs more than the
material. Terra cotta chimneys can be substitnted
for brick, as their weight is less nnd cost less than
bricks. A rough hou.se bidlt in this manner can have
all the comforts, and In their sltnatlons be more bean-
tlful than smooth finished structures, and suit the
made for $75 for tbe abofg, or 2M per cent upon our
estimate of the cost as stated.
Our blanks for specifications and bills ot quanti-
ties will be sent on receipt ot S2.
Our book of designs for houses we send on receipt
of $3, which will facilitate persons to decide npun a
design, shonld they wish to build.
FirstStoty.—^hall,8feet; Pparlor, 18by 14feet;
8 sitting-room, 11 by 14 feet; DB dining-room, 20 tw
14feet: L library. 11 by 14 feet; E kitchen, 11 by 14
feet; W woodshed, 9 by 14 teet
Second Story.—C chamber, 16 feet 6 inches by 14
feet; O chamber, 11 by 14 feet; 0 chamber, 12 by 14
feet; G chamber, 8 by 14 feet; O chamber, 11 by 14
feet; O chamber, 10 feet 6 inches by 11 feet with a
bath-room 6 by 8 feet, and a large number of closets.
 SUBURBAN RESIDENCK
Drawn expressly for Godey's Lady's Book,by laxAO H. HOBBS&SON, .<lrc/i«ecte, 809 and 811 aieslnut Street,
formerly qfiZH Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

T H E above suburban residence was designed and tistic forms. Dl-scord and harmony are ns definable
built near Pittsburg for Mr. Albert Dilwurth. It is in lines as they are iu music. The work will be five
very much admired, aud is a comfortable residence. dollars a copy.
It stands npon low ground, and had we known i t We have ready our book of designs which we
we could have improved its eilects. We should al- will send to any point In the United States or Cana-
ways liave u clear knowledge ot the situation that I das per mail upon the receipt of $3. It contains
nearly a hundred dllferent
buildings.
The .above building is built
ot frame. It cost about ten
thousand doUai-s, and is
nicely finished, and consid-
ered a success. The lower
story Is twelve feet: tlic sec-
ond Is eleven, with comfort-
able servants' rooms above.
Flmt Floor.—V vestibule;
H hall, 6 feet: P parlor, 14
by 21 feet; L librao', 14 by
14 feet; D dining-room, 14 by
21 feet; K kitchen, 10 feet 5
Inches by 21 feet; A porch.
Second Floor.—FC prlncl-
lal ohamber. 12 feet Oincbes
t; y 21 feet: C chamber, 10
feet S Inches by 23 feet; 0
chamlwr 11 feet two inches
by 13 feet; H hall; C cham-
ber, 17 feet 8 inches by 14
feet 2 inches; C chamber, 13
feet 5 inches by 11 feet 10
„ ^^^ „_^«„ inches; BR bath-room.
FIRST STORT. SECOND STORT. .—
the bnilding is to occupy, that we mav adjust its A SMART G I B L , but her action not to bo com-
l>i-ouortious and insure the beauty resident in the mended :—
design. We nre preparing for the pivss a grammar " The sharpest so far this month is the Troy girl
of aiD and ardiiteoture which we cad the American who makes her unsus|iectfng father the dally liearer
Ovo law. It is a system ot lines from harmony and
contrast, quantity, nnd character. The work will ot the sweet missives to a clerk in his office who has
bu very valu.able ti'i nil |>ersons—the arohitcct, artist, tieen forbidden to visit Ids employers house. She
carpenter, and builder. Unerring laws governing pins the letter in tbo old man's cloak, and when he
these prindp'es are as emphatlcal proven as are the reaches the offlee and throws off tho garment the
laws i'ov(»niiii'C music, sculpture, oratory, etc., and clerk gets it and responds by the same can lor."
nntliin;; will be taken for grnnteil, but nil positions
will be proven bv geometry and m.athematios. Jt is A WOMAN is genorolly more economical than a
a law ot evolution, and M trees grow, so should ar- man, because her " waist* is sniallur.
 SUBURBAN RESIDENCE.
Drawn expressly for Godey's Lady's Book, by ISAAC H. HOBBS & SON, Architects, 809 ond 811 Chestnut Street,
formerly qf -136 Walnut Street, Philadelphia.

THE above is a design ot a Gothic villa, Ameriisah- hall: Ddlningrr6om£l5by24feet6inclies; Sslttlug-

Ized. It contains all the requisites of a first-class room, 15 by 15 te6t; OP carriage porch.'
American home. As a suburban residence, or coun-
try m-ansioii, it has a reiliuMl. dlgnllied, and snbstan-,
tlal appearance, the plan having all the nobleness of
eticct required. The jiarlor Is commodious and ele-
gant, of the finest decorations, and lighted as it is by
windows, tlie light will be thrown upon the walls,
tliat paintings and stairways may have the full ef-
fect. By the uso of sliding doors the m.aln hall be-
comes a part ot the parlor. It is lutftiido.d to have a
dumb waiter iu tlic rear, so as to render the kitchen
apartment.s perfect as thevare^ iu the rear of the
liouse. Tlie slofie of the uroiind at the back of tlie
building affordn fine ventU-atloii aiul light To tlio.se
(leslrluc to build, we would state that we have a
book ol our own designs that will aid matcrLatly in
tlieir selection, wtdch we will send to their address
on receipt of 63.

SECOND STORT.
Second iSffory.—DRudressing-room, 10 by 13 feet:
PC principal cliamber, 16 by 2Sfeet; 0 chamber, 15
byldfeet: H hall; A!Oonsei!vatory: C chamber, 15
by 24feet 6Inches; 0'chamber, 15 by 15 feet.
TECBRB w.a3 a yoimg lady of Tenby,
Who wrote to her conjiflrtn/e, "N.B.
I don't Want to wed,
No such thoughts in my head.
But—where can the eyes of the men be?"
WEDDtNQ cards are now Issued with the notice,
"No plated ware,'' printed in ono comer. Would it
not be as well to add, "No presents from the Dollar
stores put up in Caldwell's or Bailey's boxes?"
n U S T BTORT.
First story.—A porch; P parlor, 19 by 29 feet: L CANNniALisTia—"Girls for cooking wanted." We
library, 15 by 17 feet; H hall, 10 feet wide; SII stair presume some ono wants cooks.
 Dust in Cities.
PROFESSOR TVNDAI.I. states tliat almost tlie wiiolc
of tiie dust ill rooms tj of organic origin, and pro-
minent among tliese organic liodics is liorsc manure.
The rcmov.ai of this ofTcusive cont.ainin.a(ion from llic
air of infected lucnlitics lias liccn tiic sulijcct of care-
ful experiment and investigation by the London Board
of Health. Not only have tlie droppings been re-
moved from tlie streets, but the surfaces of the pave-
ments have .also iieen purified Ijy jets of water tlirown
l>y steam-jxiwdr, wliercliy all tlie crevices between tlic
stones forming tlie pavements liave liecn c1ean.scd.
In some districts tlie practice has been adopted of
covering all surfaces tli.at are soaked with foul organic
materials -witii a layer of fresh earth. This has ixHjn
attcndal witli the most satisfactory rcsnits. Tiie Val
de Travers a.s]dia1l {xivemcnt is liowcver regarde*! liy
Sir Jcsepli Wliitworth, the great Engiisli aulliority
on ail questions connected with street economy, as
oflering the most promising relief from sucli organic
dust, ance its introduction will tend to hasten tlic
cmploj'mcnt of liot-ur engines witli India ruiiber
tires for all tlic piuriioscs of street traffic, and the
source or cause of the contamination will of necessity
disappear.

AUNT'S NEW HOUSE.

iHint^ iqn House Building.
A Pyft;EER on tliiasiibjectj read, by Edward Roberts,
[''.S.A., before the Royal Institute of Britisli Archi-
ects,, closes as follows:—
1. Neyer allo^v pervious drain.s in pervious soils.
2. Never allow,a cesspool or drain near a well.
3. Never select gravel as a buikling-site if well-
Irained qlay can be obtained.
4. Never allow drinking water to lie drawn from a
:istern supplying a water-closet.
5. Never allow waste-pipes, to be inserted into
ivater-closet traps.
6. Never allow rain-water to run to the ground if
t is required aboye.
7. Never allow Avater Xq stand in pipes exposed to
frost
8. Never allow pipes to be fixed so that they cai^not
smpty themselves.
9. Never ventilate except by pipes or tubes; inlets
ind outlets being of equal size.
10. Never use glazed earthenware pipes for up-
ward flue^
11. Neyer allow chandeliers to be the exclusive
light merely because,it has been customary.
M OTHEIi alwaya doubled my pleasure by
tbe beartiness with wbicb she enter-
ed iuto it, as wben, j u s t before the holidays,
t b e welcome letter came from Aunt Dale
claiming my usual visit, and inclosing tbe
money for my traveliug expenses. Any <le-
ficiency iu my waidrobe wMch she noticed
she always quietly supplied on my arrival.
At first, father's sturdy independence re-
belled a little at this, bnt she was so pained
t h a t " h e , with so many children, shonld
deny ber the pleasinre of once a year ' mak-
ing believe' she had one," that he was
obliged to let her have her own way. Aunt
Dale always did have her own way with
every body. So I used to go aud spend six
happy, restfid. weeks there, that were jnst
one perfect dream of beauty aud pleasure
irom beginning to end, aud thou come home
to live on tho memory of it for tho rest of the
year. For life was no summer holiday to
me, as yon may imagine—tho oldest daugh-
ter in a family containing eight noisy boys,
whoso " chief end" was, as far as I could see,
to keep tbe houso aud mother aud me in a
hurly-burly from morning till night. Such
a little house too! For father is a minister,
and we do not roll iu wealth. Country min-
isters are not apt to.
At Aimt Dale's all was different and de-
lightful. To begin with, she lived in New
York. That, to my girlish imagination,
meant every thing enchanting; it meant
music and pictures and books and jieople,
and opportunities for seeing and doing what-
ever is most worth seeing and doing on this
side of tlio water. Tlieii Uncle iiud Aunt
Dale were a cheerful, kind-hearted, lovable
couple, with littlo peculiarities that amused shall give you only tbo outliues, leaving you
ono but never ofleiided, and a most com- to do all the shading and the filling in your-
fortable way of living. There never seemed self.
to bo either hurry or worry in that house. Ono snowy afternoon, just before Christ-
Yet my inicle was by no means rich: only mas, I had agreed to meet my uncle at the
the coulideniial clerk of a wealthy linn, Academy of Design. While waiting for him
wliom he had been with for years; but bis I devoted myself to the pictm-es, which I
salary was large, and enabled him to live knew little about critically, only loved with
just as he liked, being of quiet, unpreten- a blind, unquestioning enthusiasm. Pres-
tious tastes. Their siumy, old-fashioned ently I discover t h a t in my absorption I
house was charming in its way, and had not have dropped my water-proof somewhere.
iu tho least the prim look that houses usu- As I look about for it anxiously, a gentleman
ally have where there are no children. But asks me, in a very Mnd, respectful way, if
that was because children had been there I have lost any thing, and when I tell him
once, for it had belonged to Dr. Dale, un- what, is sure he has seen it in one of the
cle's father. He was a widower, and when rooms. As he goes with me to find it, he
his son married, he h a d insisted ou his bring- throws out a remark about a lovely land-
ing his wife home, which he gladly did, and scape—my favorite in the whole exhibi-
they had lived there ever since, without tion—which makes me look np at him,
making any material change in any thing, with a flash of surprise and pleasure in my
though it was nearly a dozen years now eyes, because i t is my own thought he has
since the father's death. I think it was expressed, but far more cleverly, aud going
really the air which the genial, artistic old deeper than I could. I answer back with a
physician hiid given to tho place which brightening face, and in a way that pleases
made it tho singularly attractive homo it him, for thei*e is a smile under his brown
was. I t was filled with odd and beautiful mustache. We fall into an animated dis-
kuickknacks which he had brought from cussion of the pictures. I express my opin-
abroad, and rare engravings, delightful old ions with great confidence and vivacity at
books, and contrivances for comfort. Not first, but begin to grow sUent and humble;
a chair in the house but it rested yoa to sit for he is pointing ont merits aud fitults I
on, or a color iu the carpets or furnitiure— never dreamed of before, and unconsciously
though somewhat faded now—^that was not gives me a glimpse into a new world of
rich and warm. Tho back parlor, which ideas in art. Still, notwithstanding his su-
was also the dining-room—for the old doc- perior culture, we aro perfectly en rapport,
tor was fond of giving little dinner-parties, for he is most magnetic and fascinating to-
and could never say enough against the me. I am having an enchanting time. Sud-
modern fashion of basement dining-rooms, denly I remember that we are looking for
or "going down cellar to.eat," as be scorn- my cloak! I t is now storming furiously,
fully termed it—^was my special delight. I t and I can not go without it. Also, I have
had low window-seats with crimson cushions. a vague sense t h a t my most proper aud
I used to ciu-l up in them to read, aud when circumspect aunt would bo inexpressibly
it grew too dark to see, and the room was shocked if she could see me walking abont
lighted only by the rosy glow of the open fire in this joyous manner with an unknown
glimmering on the tall dark mahogany book- yoiuig man! The water-jiroof is not to be
cases and their wliite busts, on the pictures, seen, so the gentleman goes down to the
on the handsome old furnitiu'e, with books, desk to inquire for it. He is gone a long
magazines, and newspapers lying about in time, b u t at last makes his appearauce hold-
pleasant disorder, and one window a bower ing up my cloak with a smile of triumph.
with aunt's flowers and ivie^—then I used Uncle Dale comes for me then. As ho and I
to gaze round me with a sense of thorough march cozily along under the umbrella, I tell
enjoyment, as at a pleasant picture. And I him what a captivating talk I had. He
thought, as girls always will, that if my smiles good-humoredly, but says, "You'd
hero, the " Prince Charming," of whom we better not tell your aunt about it, dear." At
all di'cam, and of whose ai>pear.ance, at some Christmas there comes for me a superb bon-
not distant period, we are at eighteen quite bonnifere, giver unknown; but one of the
certain, were only sitting there with me in chocolate bonbons certainly resembles a
t h a t dreamy, picturesque fire-light, saying cloak! Then ticke'ts come by mail for the
lovely things with his low, rich voice—^his artists' reception. I have always been
voice is always " l o w " and "rich"—why, longing to go to one. Aunt pnzzles her
then the room would be perfect. I bad my brains as to who could have sent them, but
wish, too, one night. I keep my OAVU counsel. We go. I spend
This isn't going to be a love-story. I give an unheard-of time over my toilet, I remem-
you lair warning of tliat now. So I may as ber. There is a great crowd, and it is very
well tell you at once about the afiair wliich brilliant. I discover my friend in the dis-
niado my last visit iu the dear old house tance, and he makes me a charming bow, so
memorable, and then have done with it. I charming that aunt stares and says, quickly^
" Wlio is that f I stammer out, blushing,
" I don't know." Thcroupon she looks much
displeased, while a young lady with us ex-
claims to mo, enviously, " Why, do you know
Mr. Van Neff, tho painter whose pictures are
so much sought after now by connoisseurs ?
Charming man too, they say; so exeeed-
uigly clever." I secretly echo the verdict
of Mrs. Grundy, and watch him as he talks
animatedly to a beautiful, distinguished-
looking girl on his arm, and I wish I were
beautiful and distinguished-looking, for I
am having a very dull time. After a while
I see him coming straight toward us with a
friend of my uncle's. He is presented to us
iu due form, and the rest of the evening we
are walking throttgli the rooms together,
and I am not having a dull time.
After that I see my new friend almost
every day for a month. He brings me flow-
ers, he lends me books, we go to see pictures
together. Life is perfectly delightful to me,
and New York just the new Garden of Eden.
All at once, however, he ceases to come. I
wonder and ponder as to the cause; think
each morning when I wake, " To-day he will
come," and go to bed disappointed each
night. I see in the paper a little paragraph,
"Mr. Van Neff, the distinguished young
painter, is about going abroad." I hear also
of his engagement to the beautiful girl he
was witli at tho reception. I grow very
homesick, and write mother that I am glad
my visit is done. Tho niglit before I go I
am sitting before tlie fire disconsolately,
Aunt and Uncle Dale at church. I have
tinned the gas down, and am imlulging in a
littlo quiet cry, when Mr. Van Neff suddenly
comes in. " lie has been out of town," he is
not engaged, and he is not going abroad until
I will go with him as his wife. I can never
spend a happier hour than th<it I spent with
my lover before the fire that night, because
a cup can not be more than full. Mr. Van
Nefl' went home with me, father and mother
consented, and we were engaged. Wo were
not married, however, for varioas reasons,
for more than a year.
If this visit was memoraVle, the next one
was also, though in a very different way.
I n fact, it was to tell you about this, which
•was my last visit at Aunt Dale's, that I set
out in the beginning. There is nothing in
the least romantic or exciting abont it, any
more than in my engagement, beginning (of
all things!) witJi a water-proof. But I had
somo hard, uncomfortable lessons beaten
into me that winter that may possibly be of
uso to somebody else.
I was beginning already to look forward
with redoubled eagerness to my New York
visit when, in the fall, a startling letter ctime
from Aunt Dale. They had had a fortime
left them! One of tho partners in the firm
wliere uncle was clerk had died—an old
bachelor without near relatives—and left
his property, which was very large, entirely
to Uncle Dale. The next letter did not siu-
prise ns so much, for we knew aunt's ambi-
tious tendencies, which her want of means
had hitherto kept in the background. They
had sold their old house, and purchased a
largo and handsome ono on Fifth Avenne.
I t was not finished yet, so they would board
until it was ready for them. That would
be in January. " You must come then, and
make^us your accustomed visit, dear Lucy"
—so the letter ran—" for we shall want you
to enjoy our beautiful new homo with us.
I t is to hav^e new furniture throughout, and
every modem improvement. Your tmcle
has kindly given up the management of the
whole thing to me."
" Of course h e has 1" said my father, with
a laugh, in which we aH joined, for Uncle
Dale is—to tell the honest truth-—decidedly
under petticoat government. The contrast
between them was comical. Uncle very
short and very stout, being fond of good
cheer, with the mildest of faces and of dis-
positions. Aunt more than a head taller,
and rather imposing in figure, with a quick,
imperious, energetic manner. She was de-
votedly fond of her husband; but, for all that,
it was tacitly understood between them that
her wDl was law. There never was tho lea.st
clashing, though, for he had entire fiiith in
her judgment and ability. " Your aunt is a
very superior woman," he was fond of say-
ing to me, admiringly.
Every letter fi-om New York was now fuU
of the delights of the new house, till I was
myself quite dazzled at the thought of the
luxury and the splendor that were before me.
I was actually going to be for a while a den-
izen of Fifth Avenue—in one of those splen-
did houses at whose stately and impressive
fl-onts I had so often gazed, wondering as
to the festive, brilliant scenes that must be
passing within. I am afraid I unconscious-
ly held up my head a trifle higher the next
time I walked up the narrow, uncarpeted
aisles of our littlo church, forgetting that I
had there renounced " tlie pomps and vani-
ties of this wicked world." I would picture
often to myself the elegant drawing-room,
which wjis to be in the Louis Quatorzo style;
the library, rich and luxurious, where Ishould
write aU my letters home; the beautiful con-
servatory aud pretty boudoir, cozy and sun-
ny—these last two being wholly di'awn from
imagination, as aunt mentioned nothing of
the kind—and so on up to the bedrooms,
tasteful aud full of every comfort;; and then I
would say to mother," Oh, why, why doesn't
somebody die and leave ns a fortune I"
-At last January came, and I went to New
York. Uncle Dale, as usual, was at the d6-
l)Ot to meet me with a hearty welcome. He
looked a little care-worn, I thought.
" We have only been in the house a couple
of weeks," said he. " You have no idea how
the workmen and upliolsterers have plagued "Oh, Lucy, don't, don't!" exclaimed my
US by putting us off. You'll find your aunt aunt, darting forward; " you will tear them.
n little tired and nervous to-night, my dear. It makes them gape so to keep separating
There's a world of care in such a houso as them, so I have pinned them together in the
onrs; I see that already;" and what a sigh middle. Besides, on Fifth Avenue one mustn't
;is he said this! " Oh, here we are!" be seen staring through the Avindows, you
The carriage stopped before a large brown- know."
stone mansion with wide steps and massive I said nothing, but I sighed, because to
carved doors. It was in a handsome block. watch this splendid liAring panorama from
" I've always ' dreamt I dAvelt in marble my windows had been one of the great pleas-
halls,' but it's grand to really do it!" I ex- ures that I had looked forward to in our duU
claimed, joyously, t o uncle, as we entered the country village.
spacious hall, with a beautiful tessellated Every thing seemed t h a t first night to
floor and rich wainscoting. Still I was dis- shoAV me t h a t this visit Avas not going to be
appointed not to find Aunt Dale there, smil- " all that my fancy painted it." I was too
ing her welcome as she used t o ; she was not disappointed to see the ludicrous side of it,
even in the drawing-room, where I waited as I do now. For one thing, dinner was a
while imcle went to find her, and improved faihu'O. This was touching my uncle on a
the time by looking around. My absurd tender point. Aunt tried to smooth it over.
fancy that drawing-rooms in Fifth Avenue "You knoAV the cook hasn't got used to
Avere always gay and brilliant and fascina- tho new range yet." I thought I heai'd some-
ting underwent a grievous change at once. thing like " Confoimd that range!" from my
The superb glass chandeliers were not light- uncle as Ave went up stairs, for the dining-
ed, only a little side bracket, and by its dim room—oh, shade of Dr. Dale!—^was below.
light I saw an immense dreary apartment, Tbe library, like all tho other rooms, was
elegantly upholstered, with draperies of blue formidably impressiA'e, like a state apart-
satin and lace; furniture, shrouded in white ment, somehow. I found myself thinking
coverings, stauding like ghosts round the of the dear, jolly old sitting-room in the
sides of the room, in a way that was meant other house, where every body felt at ease,
to be stately, but was only stiff and forbid- aud the air was redolent of "good times,"
ding. Thcro were some costly bronzes ranged and I wondered that they had no cheerful
on tlie mantel, a few ornaments on the tables, open fire here to "glorify" the room, aud
and ormolu cal^iuets with a touch-me-not air; make a focus that Avould draw ns near to
no books, no signs of life or occupancy; not each other sociably. Moreover, it was cold,
.a chair out of its apiiointed place; no indi- for the heat from the registers was not siifli-
viduality whatever about the whole room; cicnt to kecji us from jiositively shivering.
uothing to suggest any idea of Uncle or Aunt "Wliy in tlie world don't thoy keep up a
Dale except their wealth—and their uphol- better fire ?" cried my aunt, giving tbo bell
sterer! I was thinking this when in came an angry pull.
Aunt Maria, out of breath, and arrayed in a " I'm afraid yoii are going to find that the
de laine wrapper. She kissed me affection- furnace yon selected is entirely too small.
ately, while apologizing for her delay and Suppose we have a fire made np in the grate,
her appearance. my dear," suggested Uncle D<ale.
" Positively, Lucy, I was too tired to. dress " Mr. Dale," said she, sharply, " you seem
myself, and I knew no one would call yet. to forgot that we did not propose, when that
Every thing in this honse is so costly and thousand-dollar mantel was put in, to ruin it
rich that I feel t h a t I must oversee every Avith a fire. J u s t fancy, too, having coal
thing myself, and not trust to the servants, bi'onght over this delicate carpet, to say
as I could in the other house. There two nothing about tbe dust on these books and
were enough, here it takes six; and I declare costly ornaments!"
sometimes I think they will drive mo wild Of all things he hated a fuss, so he sub-
with their carelessness." sided into silence over his newspaper. As
As we Avent up stairs, she exhibited with for mo, I remembered no more that I was
undisguised satisfaction tho various rooms, cold; for at that moment Mr. Van Neff's tall,
beautifully furnished, and all so spick-span square-shouldered form appeared in the door,
new and nice that one felt almost afraid to vrith his brown, bearded face all lighted np
look into them. My room was lovely; all with smiles, as I sprang toward him iu a
was delicate blue, and m.atchcd to perfec- glow of delight that Greenland itself could
tion. Aunt looked gratified when I cried, not have chilled. Of course tho rest of the
" Oh,this is so exquisite, auntie! my favor- evening to me, while my lover staid, Avas
ite color too! It was kind of you to think lovely. I Avish I could say as much for the
of that!" I Avent round descanting on its A'a- night. I had heard of gilded misery, but
rions beauties. " A n d how delightful that noAV I began to havo a realizing sense of it,
it looks out on gay Fifth AA'CUUC!" eagerly as ministers used to say. I fell iisleop ad-
!ittem]iting to draw apart tho lace curtains miring my pretty blue bedroom, and listen-
that fell gracefully to tho floor. ing to the distant roar of cai-s and omnibuses,
tlirilling me with the cousciousness that I winter! I positively doubt if any Irish fam-
Avas in New York. But I aAvoke soon after ily in a miserable tenement-house were more
midnight, half fiozen Avith the cold breeze Avretchod than we. There were t h e serv-
bloAving over my head from the ventilator, ants ! One stole the spoons, another broke
which is very large. Aunt Maria had point- the dishes, a thii'd had "followers" Avho
ed it out Avith pride. " Every thing is ac- smoked clay pipes in the kitchen, and OA''ery
cording to tbe most modern ideals, you see." chamber-maid we had would flirt Avith tho
I like to be modern too, but as my teeth aro coachman. Aunt divided her time about
oliattering, I got up to close it. I discover equally between the intelligence-olfico and
that it can't be done, for the cord and tassels holding Irish receptions at homo Avhon sho
have been forgotten. I stare up at it in de- advertised. Not a cook would stay more
spair, entertain a Avild project of climbing than a week on account of " that noAV-fan-
tip on the mantel, decide that I should break gled range;" so it Avas taken out at last, and
my neck—and the vases—and go back to bed. another put in, a dreadful job, that for two
I am too cold to sleep. Presently a low, days converted aunt's beautiful kitchen into
piercing, fearful sound is'heard through the a horrible chaos of bricks and mortar, from
liouse. I start up, trembling with terror, for which it never quite recoA'orcd. Uncle's
it ceases not for a moment, but grows louder state of mind inay be imagined when I state
and shriller. I dart out into the hall. Aunt that he had to take Ins mcids at a restaui-ant
Dale's portly foim looms np Avhite in the during these changes. After this it seemed a
darkness, Avhile my uncle and the servants mere bagatelle that the fumace mnst also be
are rushing down the stairs. taken out and a larger one substituted. To
" It is the steam-whistle of the furnace! be sure, we had been freezing all Avinter—an
We are all going to be blown u p ! " aunt calls unusually severe one—^and we Avere all tirotl,
to them fi-antically, while I cling to her mass- too, of the litter andthe thumx)ing and pound-
ive shoulders. Then foUoAVs a moment of ing of masons and carpenters. Also during
terrible suspense, till James, who takes care the process Ave Avere fireless except in the lit-
of the furnace—tho house is heated by steam tle seAving-room u p stairs, Avhich had, thank
—flies into the cellar and regulates the Heaven I a plain mantel; bnt we had airived
valves. The warning Avhistlo ceases, we find at that state where Ave could stand any thing.
there was no real danger, aud at last silence A sublime despair was the habitual expres-
reigns through tho halls. As I havo not slept sion now on my uncle's once jolly, rosy face;
a Avink since midnight, I am thankful when and aunt grew nervous and thin and neural-
it is time to rise and dress. gic. I should have been dreadfully home-
There is a beautiful dressing-room con- sick, which was an unheard-of thing for mo
nected with my room, which had rejoiced at Aunt Dale's, if it had not been for Mr. Van
my eyes last night with its toilet and bath- Noft*. His resources for diverting and inter-
ing conveniences when I contrasted it with esting me seemed incxhiiustible. At tho
my little pine wash-stand and earthen pitch- same time, in sjiite of his sympathy with
er at home. " A warm bath is so refreshing me, my accounts of our various misfortunes
when one has not slept," I said to myself, invariably seemed to touch his keen sense
springing eagerly out of bed for the purpose. of the ludicrous. One evening in particu-
How I jumped! for I felt something cold on lar I almost got vexed with him because he
my feet. A stream was trickling across tho would rojir, when I thought it more a case
floor from under the dressing-room door. I for tears.
opened it, and beheld my best boots, my " B u t it's no laughing matter, Bicbai-d,"
traveling-bag—^yes, even my new morning said I , " when almost every day somctbiug
dress, which had slipped off the hook—afloat splits or bursts, and there's no comfort any
in a little pond of water which was pouring where. And you know how happy wo were,
Irom the marble basin I I n a moment every and how free, iu t h e other house. Nbtv this
thing in the room would be m i n e d ; so, with is the way it is. Yesterday, as the Avhole
a most rueful countenance, I just fished up house was cold and dreary, and Aunt Maria
my dress, which looked now like any wet was out, I took refuge in my own room, de-
rng—^I had spent ten days in making it— termined to have a good time there. Yon
then rushed to my aunt's door, only to find know the draAving-room wasn't meant for
her in the same consternation. Something the family to sit in, of course—^I wonder
had choked up the waste-pipe, and the wa- what it was meant for, for annt never gave
ter used in the rooms abo\'e, deprived of a large party in her life, and never will!—
other outlet, had gushed up through onr neither, evidently, was the library, it is kept
basins and overflowed. You can imagine so d a r k ; so I rolled np my shades, but didn't
the cheerful scene that followed—^tho spoil- disturb those laoe curtains; then I placed a
ed carpets, servants running about with pails rocking-chair right in tbe sun—^the blessed
and mops,plumbers ripping up tho floors, and sun, that doesn't dare to show his face in
Aunt Maria in despair. here for one moment!—and, with the * Mar-
Oh, the annoyances, the disasters, great ble Faun,' I was in Rome, and happy, when
and small, the general disconiftirt of that in comes Aunt Maria. Kichard, you should
luiA'o scon her face! She never said one the shortest time possible, and so stop that
word at first, only marched straight to the horrible ringing. Wo reduced the thing to
windows and pulled tho shades doAvn with a science. When .all our sweet, last words
a jerk; then, in an impressive tone, that had been spoken, Bichard, with h a t and cane
made me feel that I was a felon, she spoke: in his hand, stood close to the vestibule door.
' Lucy, this is not the old house, you know!' " Beady!" I would say, with my hand on the
and left me." knob, then turn it quickly; instantly clash I
EA'ery day I saw more and more that, clash! the beU was clanging in a perfect
Avbilo many of onr trials aro always incident fury, while he, laughing, shot out, aud I
to a noAV house, the main trouble was that closed the door with a clap. My uncle used
we were plain people, unused to wealth and to rub his hands and chuckle with merri-
its accessories. This great, costly, brown- ment when I naiTated these annoyances of
stone mansion A\'as plainly going to be too tho alarm at the breakfast-t.able, while aunt
much for my uncle and aunt Dale; j u s t a demurely said she thought it " was a very
dead Aveight on their shoulders, like tbo Old good thing, that alarm—answered for more
Man of tlie Sea on Siudbad's, destroying all purposes than one!"
their peace .and comfort OA'crmore. This it " Mr. Van Neff is the only person it eA'cr
Avas that took away all look of real elegance will catch, in my opinion," remarks my un-
and ciise, and gaA'o sucli a p.ainfully new air, cle, with twinkling eyes.
and oppressed one with a continual sense However, my aunt's hour of triumph camo
that ono mnst be careful not to injure or dis- at last. Uncle Dalo went to Boston on busi-
place .any t h i n g ; and making the house, in ness. I slept with her. About two o'clock
spite of its tastefnlness, seem parvenu, even we were both awaked by the A'iolent ring-
vidgar. I felt this, and I hated it all. ing of the alarm. We started up and look-
The electric burglar-alarm finally brought ed at each other, Avith beating hearts. Then
things to a crisis, and ended my A'isit. Aunt she got up bravely, and touched the indica-
D.ale since living on Fifth Avenue had had tor. I t was the scuttle door t h a t gave the
a mania on the subject of burglars, Avith w.aniing.
which Uncle Dalo had ceased to sympathize. "They always get in over the roofs," whis-
She had Avaked him so many times at dead pered my aunt, and snatched my uncle's pis-
of night, Avhisperiug fearfully t h a t " some- tol from a drawer. She knew it wasn't load-
liody Avas getting iuto the house," t h a t now ed, and she didn't know how to fiie it if it had
he only answered, calmly," Who do you snp- been, but I think it was splendid in her, all
jKiso it is?" thereby exasperating her be- the same. All the while the bell was going
yond endurance, while he turned over for louder and faster, with .an incessant, impor-
another nap. But one night the houso next tunate, jienetrating clamor, as if it woidd
(Idor was entered, and a clean sweep made driA'e us to madness. There were sounds
<if all tho silver; then tho one opposite was of hni-rying feet .and A'oices np stairs. Aunt
attempted, but tho " alarm" waked tbe in- dashed out, with the jiistol in her hand, like
niuti's, and frightened off the thicA^es. After a hero, I after her, like a coward, exiioctmg
this my uncle conld make no opposition to to I'un against the burglars iu tho haU-
any plan of defense. So the burglar-alaiin " U p to the scuttle!" she cries, daringly,
Avas jmt i n ; .and invisible wires connecting Avhile I and the maid-serA'ants follow, like
doors and AvindoAVS Avith the galvanic b a t - a jiack of hounds, and James takes the lead.
tery lay in ambush, ready'to ring out their Still that bell rings on. We find the scuttle
warniug on the ear of night with the clash door open, but not tho scuttle itself, and no
aud cl.ang of beUs. The index of the won- signs of a burglar. So we grow bolder, and
derful machine, and tho "alarm,'- Avere in investigate; so does the cat, who is rubbing
aunt's room, near tbe bed. Ftir a while .all against us. We go searching the whole
was " quiet along tbe Potomac," uncle sleep- house; every thing is right, and we are
ing in i)eace CA^ery night, and laughing .at forced to tho ignominious conclusion that
aunt CA'-ery morning for her needless fears. the door had been left unfastened, and the
Thero Avero littlo draAvljacks from which / cat pushed it open. Aunt Maria, as wo all
princip.ally suffered. Tho alarm Avas gener- go trooping down stairs again, laughing,
ally sot jibout ten, Avhen uncle .and aunt re- 8.ays she is relieved. In reality I think she
tired ; tlicn Mr. Van Neff and I had a quiet, is disappointed that it Avas not a burglar,
cozy hour or so by oui*selvos in the library. for she knows IIOAA' Uncle Dalo will crow
Ho never staid late—I protest against any when ho hears tho story. As tho servants
snch idea; still it Avasn't pleasant to haA'e grow more careless, such aharms become quite
tho exact moment of his departure proclaim- frequent, till my imcle becomes furious; for
ed to the whole household, as it Avas by that wheneA'cr they occur liis wife always insists
oar-piercing din of the alai-m tho in.^itant ho upon his getting out of bed and tramping
opened the hall door. No more lingering through the house, from garret to cellar,
farewells iu the vestilmhi, or ou the stops, if pistol in hand. He declares that if such
it was moonlight. On tho contrary, our one a thing happens again he Avill discharge the-
idea came to be, how to keeji tho door open servant who is to blame on the spot.
 It does haiipen the very next night. As I
licar the alarni, I laugh, thinking of uncle's
Avrath. Ho, "detenuined mit to bo made a
fool of again," refuses to stir; so aunt goes
to hor door, aud calls to the sorA'ants " to
.see that thsit scuttle door is closed insiant-
hjP and tho boll coa.scs its ringing. As I
go <iff to sloop again I Avoiidor Avliich one
will get u dismissal for the fault. But in
the morning, when the serA'.ants come doAvn,
there is a gretit excitement, .antl AVO discoA'er
that the silver is gone, tho houso ransacked,
Jill valuables of small size t a k e n ! Wo all
g.aze at the haA'oc they havo made, hoiTor-
struck; my uncle in particidar, I notice, is
speecldess when Ave discoA'^er that tho bur-
glars had secreted thennsolA'CS in tho honse
iu the d.aytinio, and AVO h.ad disregarded
the alarm Avhen thoy fled Avith their booty
at night. Aunt Dale Avas, alas! the A'ciy
one Avho snflered most in the end by this
calamity. H.astily roused by tho servants
ui tho early, chUl morning, she had only
stopped to throAv on her <b"o.ssing-goAvn and
Blippors, and so, in going through tho A'ari-
ous rooms, took a severe cold, wlxicJi, as h«'r
system was quite run down by the wear and
tear of tho winter, ended in a long and ter-
rible foA'cr. Wlien she recovered, she was
but the shadow of herself. Her i»hysician
was imperative. "Nothing but rest and
travel will restore hor," he said. It was
decided th.at the house should be closed,
and thsit nnclc should take ber to Europe.
I doubt if thoy OAcr occupy the Fifth AA*-
ciiuo mansion ag.ain. Uncle Dalo hates it
with a bitter hatred, and, before they sail-
ed, confided to me that bo had entered into
negotiations for their old home, Avhen they
ndiini. I think CA'OU aunt herself will be
glad to go bsick to it. I staid Avith thom
till thoy left tbe house in May, for I could
bo of great service during aunt's sickness,
aud I was hajqiy to be able to repsiy somo
of her kindness to me. Then I went homo,
glad enough to see father suid mother, and
even " those staring boys," again. In June
Richard aud I were married, and Avent to
Italy. I romembor well a littlo talk we
had—^he and I—^the day I left Aunt Dale's.
We were sitting comfortably on tho library
carpet, Avhich was rolled np prep.aratory to
taking aAvay. Tho room Avas dismantled,
furniture piled uj), curt.ains doAvn, and tho
sun streaming cheerily in on the bare floor.
" Richard," said I, " do you know of any
body Avho will bo likely to die and leave y<.>u
a fortune, and tempt yon into having a great,
splendid house you don't need ? Because if
you do, I won't marry you."
Ho laughed. "There's not the faintest
probability of it, Lucy." Tlien, ns ho gaA'o
a gLance at the drawing-room, looking Lar-
ger aud drearier than ever UOAV, " I've been
thinking the same thing as you. What a
Avretchod faUuro as a homo this houso has
been! It was sham th.at did i t ; it spoils
every thing it gets into. A picture has no
more charai for you Avhen you x>erceive t h a t
the figures aro not really doing Avhat they
l>retond, but aro only posing for efl'ect; and
it is tbe same with a house. When it is
built, not for Avhat it protends to be—a home,
to Avork and rest and bo happy in—but for
display of any soit, its charm is gone, and
its valuo .as .a home, and you will never
cheat any one into believhig in it." Then
he put his arms round me, and drcAv mo
nearer to him on the carpet. " There shall
be no shams in our house—shall there,
Lucyf"
"Door-steps."
T H E following warm-wcathcr suggestion comes
to u.s from the country:
A country-house iu summer i.s delightful in
proportion to its piazzas and its shade-trees. The
shade-trees are for noonday heats, but the piazzas
belong especially to the " golden hour," the gloam-
ing and the moonlight. The hou.se itself has to be,
but when one can make the compromise between
the pastoral simplicity of living altogether out of
doors and the civilized necessity of architecture, it
is fair to suppose that the happy medium is attained.
And just at the door-steps there is this combination
of security and freedom, of unconstraint and the
proprieties, which satisfies at the same time the nat-
ural proclivities and the artificial tastes. Certainly
the suiiinier breezes and odors have something to
do with one's enjoyment, but the ascetic value of
the surroundings is a large unknown quantity.
One docs not often sit solitary on one's door-step
to watch the stars. There is a sort of sociahility
that is of the summer. Perhaps it comes more per-
ceptibly to us who have just escaped the rigors
of winter; at any rate, it belongs especially to the
summer time, and takes tone and color from the
surroundings. It is a part of the twilight in the
country, and has a prominent place in everybody's
"vine and fig-tree" ideal.
At first the family is attracted to the one person
sitdng on the door-steps. The modern pia7<.a i.s a
mere expansion of the primitive door-steps, and is
the same significant border country. The cares
and anxieties of life are " t o be continued" another
day, like a serial story in the next number of the
magazine." In the meantime, there ir the border
country, where there is neitlier house work nor gar-
den labor. After the family are assembled, friends
drop in, and neighbors stop at the gate. They have
something sensible to say, a s , " What beautiful roses
you have!" or, " I ' v e brought you some harvest
apples." Then tliey come up the gravel-w.alk; you
extend to them the hospitalities of your door-steps,
and sociability is accomplished. There are no elab-
orate toilets to prepare, no "fnss and feathers."
And to be social Avithout the aid of "the butcher,
the baker, the candleslick-ituoker," is beyond belief;
one accepts it as certain spiritual manifestations
are accepted—as a matter of experience. It was in
this way that our Sociables originated, and we called
them, significantly, "Door-steps." It is a good
name. Gradually we found out the morale that I've
already attempted to indicate. It does not limit us
to the outside or the inside of the house, but only
means a homely, home-like, hearty hospitality, better
than mere sa»s stmci.
But what do we do ? Are the Sociables literary
or dancing Societies, or devoted to sentiment ? It's
so hard to know what to do wilh people when you
get them together. Almost any tivo or three per-
sons may make themselves interesting to each other;
but when you put these same people in a group of
twenty or thirty, they often prove uncommonly dull,
with such a dullness Uiat is drearier than that of
"Mariana in the Moated Grange." Dancing or
literature, according to the predominating tastes,
takes care of that number of people in the evening.
We intuitively avoid sentiment The conventional
"lovely evening" is as pleasant as if the remark"
were the direct result of inspiration. And it is well
that it is so, for the inspiration doesn't come often.
The silver moon rolls on to our faint praises, and
we talk commonplaces to its accompaniment Does
anybody suppose that on this account we don't
know how beautifiil it all is? The light falling
softly on the tree-tops and in silvery shafts among
the branches; the dim, hazy shadows on the lawn;
the lake or river glittering in the valley, and the
pale gray mountains beyond. Of course we know
all about it, but we don't encroach on the domains
of the poets and essayists. So we talk our common-
places, and find ourselves refiresbed and cheered
thereby. I can't pretend to tell why this is so, but which render the roads impassable to d^licatej
the knowledge is drawn from observation. We are
literary chiefly in the Avay of reminiscences. Our
dramatic recitatives are often tbe well-remembered
treasures of om- school-days. We rescue " Sir John
Moore" and "Marco Bozzaris" from oblivion.
Somebody remembers a little of Shakespeare or has
learned a little of Tennyson, and that satisfies our pleasant Country views, with wide spaces,and soft
modest ambition.
Our "Door-steps" don't supply a perfect social
system. It's a sort of a warm weather compromise
to our winter sociability. But it gives us a
firiendly interest in our neighbors, and takes us out glories, sweetbriu-,' 6r floweriWg vines' bvfer the sup-
of that circle of self-interest in which one's sympa- ports and walls. But whether the piazza, look c^t
thies are apt to revolve; and last, not least, it is a upon Arcadia or the chickenMxiop, its best.charm
pleasant reality to the "vine and fig-tree" ideal.
Comfort Below Stairs.
OLD clocks, cliairs, and china command very
nearly their weight in money nowadays j but it ' within.
would be better, it seems to us, to import into our
houses a few of the customs of our ancestors in-
stead of so much of their old furniture; for ex-
ample, the careful details of comfort in arrange-
ments for the servants' department. In old times,
when the Avife of a gentieman took her place, not as
"lady of the house," but the house-keeper, her eye
overlooked kitehen, pantry, and cellars, as well as
boudoir or drawing-room. She felt as keen delight
in the plentiful shining tin-ware, the store of snowy
linen, the neat chambers for the maids, as the leader
of Eashion does nowadays in her Persian rugs and
cinquecento furniture. In the city houses, where
Persian rugs are to be found in the library, and
rarest of Sevres in the china-closet, the maids, too
often, sleep in bare stifling rooms in the attic, and
John, the coachman, in a den over the stable. How
can a woman of culture and refinement fill her mind
with such unclean detail ?
An hour or two of overdght daily, and the outlay
of a few dollars, would remove the unclean detail^
and make of her house a perfect whole. We should
like to lead one of these butterfly women over cer-
tain Quaker houses we know o£ We are sure that
the exquisite order, the plenty, the shrewd sense of
arrangement, would seem to them every whit as ad-
mirable and beautiful in its way as their own iesthetic
tables and tea-sets.
Housekeeping, as a fine art, requires, more than
bric-il-br<ac, or any fiarlor luxuries, comfortable
beds for servants, who drag their weary way up
seven flights of stairs at night, and great diests,.
where clothes, shoes, and bedding can be neatiy
stored, instead of littering the closets. But, unfor-
tunately, homely comforts such as these have been
overlooked by the very housekeepers who welcome
with delight Chinese cabinets and Italian fire-screens.
This ought they to have done, no doubt, but not
surely to have left the other undone.
.Tbe-,Piaxsa..
. I N this country, with its;perpetual cpntradictipn
of icy winters and brief torrid summers, one can
hardly live in the country without a piazza. , In hot
weather it supplies a shaded out-dopr restingrplace
for the family; after stonns of wind and.drifted snow,
walkers, it furnishes a sheltered and easjily swept
promenade. It is, or should be, wide enough to
accommodate a tea party on .ocqusion. It should
be sheltered firom the wind, and from the sun, so far
OS to provide a shady comer for all hours of the
day. If possible it should look out on,something
horizons, are not always possible; but almost every
country dweller can secure a tree, a few flowers, a
reach of sky, perhaps even a glimpse of the sunset,
while the less fortunate may at least drape morning-
and adornment piust be thjC vihes'with which its
pillars are clothed. Vines thus planted pliiy an
important psut. They adorn the house by wliich
they grow,firameit in, and with leafy arches make
it more beautiful for those without and those
A s a hint to those having real estate in the
country to di.spose of in tliese hard tiine.s, we
are favored with the following extract from a
"party" living in one of the most attractive vil-
lages on Long Island: " If you wish to escape
sickness and peace of mind, come here to tlie
countiy. My iduce is a beautiful conntry-seat,
and ono of the healthiest jdnces in the United
States. Come nnd judge for yourself. Here is
pure spring and well waters, tlio old oaken
bucket, the iron-bound bucket, the moss-covered
bucket that hangs iu the well." By all means
let us escape to wliere there are three varieties
of bucket, bnt neither sickness nor pence of
mind.
 A Crmte for AVood Pires. pale grays, browns, yellows, may give him a hint of
la base of color for his walls ; and for their reUef, the
INSERT a broad strong iron bar securely from darker shades of the moss, or weeds, which he may
side lo side of thefire-place^'anddurecUy In front, study on any damp stone or fence-rail. The pccu-
about six inches above the hearth. From this liar gratification to the eye given by the priceless
bar let others of less diameter, and about four or work of Turkish and Persian looms is caused by
five inches apart, extend at right angles to the back precisely the same combination of colors as lliose of
of thefire-place,where they may be fastened in the lichen in October on the bark of an old tree. It is a
wall, or to a tnmsverse bar, or secured properly upon popular rule, too, with housekeepers, more ambitious
bricks. No andirons are needed with a grate of this than aesthetic in their tastes, to buy a carpet or wall-
kind; the wood bilrhs well; and the ashes fall down, paper, which of itself " furnishes " a room. Nature,
and are easily removed. as they may see by looking out of the window, has
If a second bar is fixed a few inches above the 'chosen her carpet and drapery of quiet monotonous
large front bar, the danger of the wood rolling for- .tints, to serve as a background for small and fine
ward and out of the fire-place will be averted. effects. We can do little more than suggest this
subject to our readers, with the remark Uiat a room
wiUiout a well-marked meaning is a body without
a soul; but that the slightest intrusion of pretension
Color in Houses. or assertion of wealth into that meaning only gives
Am foreigner traveling through the countless in- vulgarity as a soul to the body, and makes it ofiTen-
land towns and villages between New York and Son sive when it might have been mily dulk
Francisco would he ready to declare that Americans
were bom witliout any sense of color. He sees one
long panorama of red brick, or white woodep houses, Frameless Houaas.
with green shutters, and is hurried past large crops
of pasteboard villas, with Greek stables and GotUc WHILE many changes have been made in interior
hencoops, the favorite hue for which.appears to be decoration and convenience widiin the last few years,
a pale, aguish yellow. In fact it, is our lack of train- house-building itself has not materially departed from
ing in thia matter of color which gives to the whole the "balloon-frame " idea for a long time. Recently,
face of the country its look of crudeness, of glar- a method of construction that dispenses with fram-
ing newness. A farmer, or villager, builds his new ing, boarding, lathing, and plastering, lias been
house with two leading ideas as far as beauty is con- patented, and is already attracting some attention.
cerned: cleanliness and "the fashion." He satis- By this method, the substructure up to the sill is
fies 'the first acquirement by daubing zinc paint or prepared as for an ordinary Avooden house. Tlie
whitewash Avith an unsparing brush on the walls sill is then placed, and firmly liolted down lo the
outside and inside, on gates, fences, even the trunks masonry. Solid, wooilen staves, 2/^x4 inches, and
of the trees. Then he piles a Mansard roof on the of different lengths, are then prepared, and in each
wooden fabric, because the squire tells him it is is cut a groove lj4xl}i inch the whole length on
"the style;" spreads a hideous Brussels carpet, eacli side. One-inch holes arc then bored through
with wreaths of impossible flowers, over the parlor the sides at intervals of eighteen niches. These,
floor, for the same reason; htmgs some glaring witii a number of iron rods, bolts, nuts, and tongues,
chromos on the wall, and sits dovm for the rest of
make the entire materials for the house, excepting
his life contented with haying proved his tide to be
considered a man of taste. the ornamental work that may be put on without or
within. Three staves, equal in length to the in-
House decoration has only within the last ten tended height of the house, or the first atory, if it ia
years been studied as an art in even the large cities a high one, arc set up outside of Uic sill, and fimdy
of this country. ' It is no wonder, therefore, that bolted to it. Between each piece is placed the iron
the mass of householders have scarcely as yet learned tongue, reaching the whole length, nnd between the
its alphabet Before they begin to learn it we three are placed iron rods through the horizontal
Avould suggest two or three maxims so apparent as holes. Three more staves, each wilh its iron tongue,
to be pladtudes; the first of which is, that beauty, '.are then set up, and more rods are inserted, while
while it begins in cleanliness, by no means ends those extending through the six staves arc screwed
there; and^ secondly, that it has no inborn relation Aip tight. In this maimer the entire exterior wall is
whatever to the style or fashion; thirdly, that in de-
Iset up. The tongues close the cracks tight, and the
fault of good models, nature is the best teacher, al-
though we confess it requires some culture or a native rods (arranged to break joints) hold everything firm
gift of insight to understand her lessons. The farm- land solid. For doors and windows, spaces are left,
house builder, with his unUmited swash of white 'to be closed and finished afterward in any style de-
paint, could have learned some truths from the jsired. The firsl floor, made of the same materials,
woods, or even the well-tramped road beside him. lis laid in the same way, aud tension-rods, secured to
He will nowhere in nature find permanent, glaring, :the Av.'dls, are placed lielow to give support and
white coloring, in masses. The hue of the earth, jStrcngth. The partitions arc set up in the same*
 manner, and over these the second floor is laid as considerate enough for the New York house-owner
before. The roof (of any pitch) is laid down in the and his wife, who do not visit their kltclicns or
same way, except that each stave is channeled, and cellars twice a year, to make them uninhabitable, but
each crack is covered with a half-round batten to for people to follow their example who are compelled
shed the rain. To secure the roof from spreading, to do their own Avork half of the time is a subser-
tension-rods are placed under each pitch, and fast- vience to fashion only possible to a certain class of
ened together by tic-rods. Balconies, piazzas, and Americans. If any one be in doubt of our meaning
porches, made in any desired style, may be added, let him enter one of the " elegant and commodious
and all the ornamental work, base and weather mansions " built in blocks hi New York and Phila-
bu.-u-ds, etc., are fastened directly to the wall. Tlie delphia and offered at once for sale. It is useless to
iron work is designed to be gal\'anized, and all the hope for reform in houses built frequently eu masse
bolts and nuts are countersunk. When tension- by contract; but practical housekeepers here or in
rods are used under the floors, they may be bronzed, villages in the far West Avho build their own houses
painted, or otherwise ornamented, or may be treated may not despise a few practical suggestions.
as part of the gas fixtures. By tiiis metiiod of con- First, let your cellars be large, well ventilated and
stmcdon it is seen that there is no lathing or plaster" lined wilh stone or cemented above the level of the
ing, no dead spaces in the wall for fire or rats to ground. The breath of life in furnace-heated houses
creep unseen in, no opportunities for die builder to depends literally on the air of the cellar, unless
hide poor work. All the material is visible, and the there be a flue for fresh air extenduig from the fur-
walls arc alike outside and in. Tlie exterior may be nace out-of-doors (never the case in cheap, showy
painted, and the interior oiled, varnished, or p.apered. houses). The tdr of the Avhole house is sucked
The natural wood—spruce, pine, etc.—makes a good through this narrow and often unclean apartment,
interior finish, and for sen-side cottages, railway sta- the care of Avhich is usually intrusted to igno-
tions, and small churches, varnishing would be suffi- rant servants. We have spoken in a previous num-
cient. A building of this character can be erected ber of the malaria engendered by massing quantities
in sixty days after the substructure and cellar are of vegetables in the cellars as is the practice in
ready—thirty days for getting out tiie materials, and farm-houses during the winter. The lining of stone
thirty days for setting up. In cost, a sa^ng of 33 or cement not only prevents dampness but is abso-
per cent is claimed over a frame building of the lutely necessary in streets though which the sewers
same si/e. For sea-side and summer houses, sta- ]>ass, as a protection from rats. Terriers, ferrets,
tions, churches, etc., this method of building presents traps or poison are feeble defenses against the
points of interest nnd value. How such buildings legions which swarm in nightly from a neighboring
will compare with others in point of comfort in win- culvert Next to tlie cellars comes the kitchen,
ter remains to be seen. which should be large, airy and sunny. To take no
higher ground, conveniences in this department are
a politic investment which pays a full interest of
Houaa and Horns BuUding. capita], especially to the housekeeper who does not
Ix building the best class of New York City live in a large dty. Stationary tubs, closets beneath
houses, or even the second class, the housekeeper's the dressers for flour, dry groceries, spices, etc. will
wants are considered with an insight and a minute- be likely to tempt into her household a better class
ness of detail which arc not to be found, perhapis, of servants, and when she is forced to turn cook
anywhere else. Our grandmothers, famous house- and baker herself, will take half the burden from
wives as they were, compared to their degenerate her weary hands. An addition to comfort much
daughters, would be amazed at the appliances for neglected by builders is the lighting of slalr-wavs.
the physical comfort and convenience, not only of doscts, pantries. We have in our mind's eye a
master and mistress, bul of cook and buUer, in modest little house, in a closely built neighborhood
these splendid and honestly built mansions. But of dark dwellings, which gives you a sunny, cheerful
there are thousands of dwellings which spring up welcome in every comer: a result produced not
like mushrooms every year in this and other cities, only by windows wherever a window is practicable,
as splendid outwardly, but by no means as honestly but by a sky-light of plate glass which sends down
built. They are imitated in every provincial town sunshine through three floors of closets, halls and
and Anllagc; the uncomfortable and showy type of pantries. A mistake made also, which resolves
house is considered in fact " the style " by imitative itself into a question of humanity, is the placing the
people. We could name whole towns not two hours servants' chambers on the top of the house, be that
from New York, composed of flamboyant pasteboard three or seven stories above the kitchen. Passing
villas, gorgeously decorated without, mid consisting along a city street at night one cannot look up at
within of a magnificent hall, drawing and dining the dim lights burning in these far skyey attics with-
rooms and show chambers,while kitchen, pantries and out a groan of compassion for the Aveoried wretches
cellars arc small, dark, mid Uirust, as far as may be, dragging themselves to their beds up yonder after
out of sight and existence altogether. Now.it is in- the day's hard labor.
 A New Floorine.
A NEW style of flooring for hospitals, court-houses
and other public buddings has been introduced,
tiiat is reported to be admirably designed to keep
out dampness from cellars or the ground and, in the
case of hospitals, to prevent the passage of bad air
from one floor to another. Strips of oak or other
hard wood from 5 to 10 cm. {2 to 4 in.) wide, 25
mm. (l in.) thick, and from 5o*to 70 cm. (12 tc
20 in.) long, and having a sliglitiy wedged section,
by making the tops wider than the bottom, are pre-
pared at a saw-mill. The floor is then covered with
a layer of asphalt and while this is still hot the
strips of wood are bedded close together in it wilh
the broad side uppermost in a "herring-bone" or
other pattern. The asphalt sets in cooling and
holds the strips firmly in place without the aid of
nails, and the floor may then be planed down
smootii. It would seem as if the strips could be
made in any convenient length and if well bedded
in the asphalt would certainly moke a dry, hard
floor, proof against moisture, vermin and decay.
Plans for Tenement Houses.
IN laying out the city of New York, die blocks
between the .streets were cut up into house lots of
one uniform shape and size, 7.6a m. by 30.50 m.
(25x100 ft.), and upon these lots houses of every
description have been built For business and
manufacturing purposes, and for the dwellings of
the better class of people, the shape and size of
these city lots have not proved specially inconven-
ient. The whole lot need not be occupied by the
building unless the owner is willing to submit to
the inconvenience of the dark rooms in the middle
of the house. In the dwellings of the poorer class
of people space under the roof seemed of more value
than the comfort or even the health of the tenants;
nnd the greediness of the landlords, combined with
the excessive demand for accommodation, led to
the erection of tenement houses occupying all 01
nearly all tiie surface of tiie lots. From this vicious
system of biniding have come so many evils that
much public attention has been drawn to the matter.
Long and narrow buildings, often six stories high,
and with four suites of rooms on a floor, present
every sanitary evil,—want of light and aur, dark-
ness in the halls and interior rooms, want of pri-
vacy, and exposure to danger from fire, disease, and
all the ills that flow from overcrowding, and tiiere is
but one redeeming feature: that such buildings dc
make a gowl return as investments. So great are
the evils flowuig from tiiis mistaken system of land
division and tiiis unhealthy style of bnilding that
many attempts have been made to design and con-
struct improveil forms of tenements that shall be at
once cheap, safe, and profitable. The most notable
of tiiese experiments has already been described in
this department and with this are now presented
plans for improved tenements. These plans are the
outcome of a number of prizes recentiy offered by
the " Plumber and Sanitary Engineer" for the
best designs for improved tenements suitable for
the very poorest class of people, and utilizing
the city lot to the best advantage consistent with
abundance of light and air and safety from fire and
disease. The requirements of the model tenement
house are: security against fire, distribution of
hght, ventilation, good sanitary appointments, se-
clusion for each set of rooms, and ease of access,
convenience, and cheapness.
/ Plan No. I shows the first and second story of a
tenement designed to contain four suites of apart-
ments on each floor. The building is practically
double; two wings, Avith a court in the center and
a yard in tiic rear. By this arrangement, nearly the
whole of the lot is occupied, the dark interior rooms
are reduced to the smallest possible number, and
each suite has light and air both front and rear.
To obtain more air a shaft is left open in the wall
on one side, and the interior room has a window
opening npon i t This seems to be of very littie
value, as such air-wells are merely wells by which
the dead air sinks to the bottom and stagnates.
On the street floor there is, in front, a store, one
tenement of three rooms and a hall leading to
the stair-way. Area steps lead to the cellar, and a
bridge gives access to the mam entrance. In the
court between the two wings is a tower or stair-way
very nearly detached from the buildings aud con-
taining the stairs, water-dosets, and lifts. In th6
rear building, on the first floor are two tenements
of three rooms eadi, entirely detached from all
others, each set having its own private door. The
rooms all open one into another, die first room
having a sink and water, a fire-place and doset, and
one large window, the second room designed to
hold a i>ed, and the third room having two win*
dows, a fire-place and two closets. The second
story, readied by tiie stair-way in the central
tower, is divided into four tenements of three
rooms each, divided as described for those below,
and all the floors above are laid out on die same
plan. This plan received the highest prize, mid
presents several advantages over the common tene-
ment house. The dark and narrow stair-ways
in the interior of the building give place to a broad
stair-way in a separate fire-proof building having
two windows for light and air on each floor. The
sinks .and water faucets are within the tenements
instead of being in the dark halls. Tlie closets are
in the central tower and each is provided with a win-
dow, a change vastly for the better over the present
system. Each suite of rooms has its own private
entrance and private hall, or as may be seen in the
plan, the private door may open directiy upon one-
of the rooms. This plan is evidently carefully
thought out and presents many features of interest
that make it Avorthy of study.
 NO. 1. PLAN o r FIRST AND SSCONO STORIES OF INrROVED TENKMBNT HOUSE.
In plan No. 2, the store on the lower floor gives |
place to one tenement of three rooms and three smaller |
rooms for tbe janitor. The building, by this plan, is;
divided into two wings joined by a central tower ori
stair-way, but the yard in the rear is made longer at
the expense of one room in each of the rear tene-
ments. The secondflooris much the same except that
the two front tenements are of equal size. In com-
paring these two plans it will be observed that each
u4Af/rOftS j^PAKTMCNr
HALL
NO. » . PLAN OF FIRST ANU SHCnND STOKIES OF IMPROVED TENEMRN'T HOUSR.
the stair-way as well as ease of access. In many
respects tliis plan is belter than the first, though
it received orily the third prize. Tlicre are only
two rooms in the rear tenements and as the de-
mand for tAvo-room tenements is limited this may
he a defect, but, on the other hand, there is a great
gnin ofliglit and air. These plans appear to be the
best of a large number exhibited and they offer as good
tenement has its water-worksexdusively to itself and
within its own entrance hall. This is deddedly an
advantage, ns the two things chiefly to be sought in-
this class of dwellings are privacy and separate sani-
tary fixtures. It will be observed that the stairs,
rise in short sti^ight flights. Tliis is accomplished
by making the floors of the two wings on different
levels so that each landing contains two entrance-
doors, instead of four. Ample light is secured to-
a solution of the tenement house question as may be
found consistent Avith the vidous system of dividing
the land that prevails in New York. If now some
one would offer a prize for .an improved system of
laying out city lots, pcrb.ips even the improved tene-
ment house may be improved upon.
[The above diagrams were kindly furnished by
the "Plumber and Saniury Engineer."]
 1880s
• House Plans.... 1888
• Architecture of the Home....1882
• The Problem of Living in
NY...1882
• Recent Building in New
York....1883
• Fireproof Houses....1884
 ..,^:^.J&SS-'

4V,-

I , I cc|.u«l.€r
UI i-KU.- I

5r
i-iAsT r"i.««.n^ gECOMO p-l-uoi^

'OTN erecting a dwelling, the prudent man will consult the best plans to be had, and will build with
^ 1 a view to convenience, permanence and economy. By economy we do not mean stinting the
^ - ^ cost, but a careful outlay of money for the best quality of material and workmanship; poor
material and careless workmanship is never the cheapest even for a party in moderate
circumstances. There is an attractiveness about a house which has a substantial appearance, and it
indicates a substantial character for the owner, showing tliat he avoids loose methods in his work.
The design presents this month economy and convenience; the plan is almost square, the entrance
hall is generous in size and well lighted, the parlor and library are connected through sliding doors,
the back stairs continue to the attic, which contains three good rooms. The construction of the
house is frame covered with siding lo second floor and shingles j b o v e .
Any communications in reference to ihi.s design addressed lo Samuel Milligan, Architect, 708
Chestnut St., Philadelphia, will receive prompt attention.
 •WK-lttur fti^ip-l...

T HIS design, while presenting a finer appearance than many hou.ses costing much more money, has
also what should be the accompanying qnali^es of all desifnis, namely, convenience and comfort
tlioroughly adapted to its owner's needs. Sjiecial features—a well-lighted cellar extends under the
whole house. Large folding doors connect parlor, sitting-room and diuiug-rooni. The addition of the bay
iu sitting-room is a feature that will be greatly appreciated. The parlor and sitting-room are arranged to
be heated in conjunction with furnace and open fireplaces. The hall is provided with stairway of oak, nnd
lighted In' windows on landing provided witli staiiira glass. The attic contaius three bed'-rooms and store-
room. The construction is of stone to second floor, above this of frame covered with shingles. The esti-
mate of this house, without heating or mantels, is JBoiS, erected at Swarthmore, Delaware county. Pa.
Any commuuications addressed to the architect, Samuel Milligan, 70S Chestnnt street, Philadelphia, Pa.,
will receive prompt attentio-i •
Pnr^SSi candor and simplicity of this design, expressed in the breaking of the sky-line, with gables and
I creG
crests, to^etlier with the arrangement of the plans, we think is calculated to impress one with the
1 idea
idet: that it is the abode of those possibly of moderate means, yet possessing education and refine-
ment.
The generous Imll, with its open fire-place, and connecting with parlor and dliiing-room through wide
openings, gives evidence of generous hospitality and large social qualities. " "ug.i.wiuc
The main stairs, while forming a feature in the haU, are so situated as to obviate the necessity of a
^^u "''• ^ ' ^' ^'^^ same time, allow of free access to front door.
The construction of the house is stone to second story; above this it is of frame, covered with sbingles.
A ceuar extends under the whole house, excepting pantry. The third story contains three chambers and
tank room. AVe e.shmate the cost of this house about $4,500.
„,„Prawings and specifications, complete, will be furnished at reasonable rates on application to Samuel
MUhgan, Architect, 508 AValnut street, Philadelphia, i.u o.»»uu
 -vj-'HE design presented this month sets forth the same general features which make our designs
" \ ; \ 9 sought after, and call out many letters of inquiry from all sections of the country. The
r j s ^ plan is simple and convenient; the exterior is plain and, well-proportioned—a combination
'^ which gives it the effect of being designed by a professional hand, and not by the ordinary
house-carpenter, who is disposed to make a combination of anything nearest to hand, without regard
to appearance.
The appearance of a house designed by a master hand, and one designed by the ordinary
carpenter, is very apparent and decidedly in favor of the former. It is a great error to think that
it is unnecessary expense to invest in a set of plans and specifications, and that builders can provide
their own sketches. True economy consists in purchasing plans; even if J.hey cost many times more
than we ask, the appearance of the house is well worth the expense.
A cellar extends under the Avhole house; a good broad verandah extends on three sides; the
principal rooms and hall—first floor—are all communicating. The construction of the house B
frame, weather-boarded lo second floor; .above this covered with shingles.
Address any communications in reference lo the above to Samuel Milligan, Architect, 708
Chestnut Street, Philadelphia, Pa,
 AMTEraiRAL Al O I A I M EDDGAW.
THE ARCHITECTUEE OF THE HOME—HOW TO BUILD HOUSES W I T H ECON-
OMY AZs^D TASTE COMBINED—PLAXS Aif D COST—THE ADOENMENT
A>^D EUENISHING OF THE HOUSE WITH TASTE, SIMPLICITY
AND ECONOMY—HARMONY OF COLORS FOR CUR-
TAINS, WALLS, CARPETS AND FURNITURE.

I N S T R U C T I O N FOR A M A T E U R S — T H E O U T F I T , M E T H O D S AND RESULTS—HOW TO

OBTAIN A GOOD P I C T U R E — A D V I C E TO T H E PATRON'S O F T H E A R T -
COLORS AVHICH P R O D U C E T H E HEST RESULT.S.

Hov/ to Select Type for Printing, with Specimens of Their Size and Style.
THE A M A T E U R TAXIDERMIST'S GUIDE..
P R E S E R V I N G , .STUFFING A N D M O U N T I N G BIRDS.

THE ARCHITECTURE OF THE HOME.

HOW TV BUILD HOUSES WITH ECONOMY AND TASTE COMBINED-
DESIGNS, PLANS AND COST OF BUILDING.
BY R. G. RUSSELL, ARCHITECT, NEW HAVEN, CONN., AND OTHER PRACTICAL ARCHITECTS.

T H E R E has all the houses of a

been of late years a particular street or
display of originality section of a village
in the designs and should follow the
plans of houses never same design, "Like
before equaled in this four and t w e n t y
country. The indi- blackbirds all in a
viduality of the owner row." There should
has been brought out be a proper regard
in any style which he paid t'o the natural
may prefer, and his surroundings a n d
personal tastes re- the effect v / h i c l i
specting the details of they produce.
adornment must thus This design, with
be regarded. There its plans, is intend-
is no reason in the ed to show a .neat
fitness of things why village or country
NO. I. —A DESIKAIU.K HOME I'OK I'llOFESSIONAL OR BUSINESS MEN.

residence of wood, which, with all the modern improvements, would cost about 55,OOo. The
front elevation shows the side to the street, two stories high, with bay window and piazza-
 and dormer window in tlie roof. There is a bay window on the end. This plan was
originally designed for the residence of a clergyman in a Connecticut town, and is espe-
cially well arranged, upon an economical basis, for that purpose.
It is uur design to present plans which will enable any of our readers, who are de-
siring to select such a home as comes within their means and taste, to erect a dwelling
lor themselves.
There has been the same wonderful advancement in the Art of Architecture in this*
country as in all other branches of art. The marked improvement in the condition, cul-
ture and refinement of our people have demanded this. Not only is this advancement
marked as in the case of our churches, halls and public buildings generally, but in the
dwellings of the people as well. In the present time it is comparatively easy
for a frugal, industrious and healthful family to build itself a house, and surround
that house with all the comforts and many of the luxuries of life. The advice of Rev.
Dr. Dcnnen, in the early part of this volume, upon this subject is well worth the candid
perusal of all our readers. The designs and plans which we present will be found ele-
gant, tasteful and at the same time economical, coming within the pecuniary ability of
all classes.
NO. ?.—THE PLAN O F T H E F I R S T F L O O R shows the hall, with .stair-case
and doors opening into the parlor P. 14x18, and the sitting room S. R. 18x14. These
two rooms are connected with sliding doors.
Back of the sitting room is the library, L., with
closet, C , and a window. The dining room, D
R., opens into the hall in front, and the kitchen,
in the rear, of the dining room, is 16x14 and
contains a closet, C. The kitchen, K., is in the
L which extends to the rear of the building-
T h e external appearance of the house speaks of
the refinement and culture of those who dwell
therein, or the want of these qualities. If it
is tasteful and artistic, though humble, the be-
holder concludes that the man who erected that
dwelling was cultivated in his tastes, and pos-
sessed refinement of a high order. If the
dwelling is massive and devoid of architectural
beauty, it will tell of a mind without the grace
of culture, and only intent upon sordid things.
The picturesque homes of Switzerland and Ger-
many are indicators of a national type, far ele-
vated above those who dwell in the hovels ol
some countries. The old style ideas that have
too long been prevalent in our country,
to the exclusion of the aesthetic and orna-
mental, are yielding ground. There is happily " a golden mean " between two opposite
extremes, in which the ornamental and useful harmoniously blend together, to produce
Ko. 4. A Frivate Besidence tor a Family of Means. Cost $9,000.

ZTo. 11. SubvLTbon Besldenoa, to oost $3,500.

the best effect upon the mind, and furnish to the family the means of enjoyment and re-
finement, as well as the shelter of a roof And this is as it should be. There are oppor-
tunities enough for a display of every variety of taste and peculiar personal inclination
without shocking the sense of architectural beauty and propriety, or offending the eye of
the beholder. If there has yet arisen a distinctive school of American architecture, it
has not attained the dignity of recognition ; but instead, the styles of former countries
have prevailed, modified and adapted by the requirements of the case to the demands of
the new country to which they have been transplanted.
T H E PLAN O F NO. 3, SECOND STORY,
exhibits bed-rooms marked B. R., situated re-
spectively over the parlor, sitting room and
dining room, and corresponding in style with
them. Over the vestibule and doorway there is
a bedroom, B. R., with closets. Above the
library is situated the bath room, B. R., and a
closet opening into the chamber over the sitting
room. The arrangement of the second floor of
the L is shown in the plan. These plans dis-
play a convenient and economical disposition
of all the space. We recommend a careful
study of this design and plans to any person
who desires to erect a substantial artistic resi-
dence, at moderate expense, or to ecclesiastical
societies who intend to build a parsonage that
will be ornamental, durable and economical.
NO. 4.—A P R I V A T E D W E L L I N G (SEE
E L E V A T I O N ) S U I T A B L E F O R A FAM-
I L Y O F SOME MEANS, in a city or town.
It was intended to be set back from the street
upon a lot sloping somewhat to the rear. The
front elevation facing the street is shown NO. 3
in the engraving. It is* neat and artistic in design and at the same time rich in
appearance. The size of the entire first floor is 40x48, and is divided into a sitting-room
on the right of hall 15x21, in the rear there is the dining-room, 15x16, from whose rear a
conservatory extends to the right, 7x9, and a pantry to the left, 7^x9. The hall running
through the building, 7J feet wide, has a back entry. 7x10, separated from the front with
a door between, the staircase leading to the second story being in the front hall, a closet,
two leet wide in the back entry. On the left there is a piazza in front. The parlor, 14^
X18, opening from the hall. Back of this is the kitchen, 14x15, wilh a pantry, 6x1 r,
in the rear.
T H E SECOND STORY has a dressing-room, 8x10, over the front hall. A front
chamber, 15x22, over the sitting-room, back chamber, 12x16, over the dining-room. On
the left hall a front chamber over the parlor, 14x15; a back chamber, 141x15. These
chambers have closets from each between the hall. In the rear of these chambers is the
bath-room, 6x11. The roof which covers the piazzas in front and rear, of course, do not
ccwiie into this estimate. A liall eight feet wide extends from the dressing-room over the
front lower hall to stairway. The platform at head of stairs is 21 inches lower than the
floor of the chambers and hall, with three steps leading up. From tlris the baLli-room
extends to the left and the store-room, 6xj, to the right.
The first floor of this house is designed to be finished in ash and walnut; the second
plain. Tiie estimated co.st of this house with all the modern improvements, furnace, gas
and water pij^es, &c., is ^9,000. A house erected upon a hill and one upon an extended
plain should be different in design and adornment to produce a pleasant effect upon the
beholder. The house is not only a habitation for the inmates, but an educator and re-
finer of taste. Proper regard then should be had to the outward appearance and adorn-
ment of the house, no less than to its interior arrangement and furnishing.' The plain
unadorned buildings which one finds in our country towns and our villages are an.offense
to the sense of taste and propriety. There is no reason why the homes of our American
people should not be erected in a style as artistic and picturesque as the honies of other
nationalities. The increase in expense between an unsightly house with four plain walls
and an awkward roof, and one of pleasing style of architecture and design is much less
than at first sight would appear.
D E S I G N F O R A CITY BLOCK O F " s i X HOUSES.—
This design is for the purpose of showing how a group of houses
may be built in the same block, in a small city or large town, and
present at the same time a tasty and inexpensive style of variety.
This is much more preferable than the ordinary method of erect-
ing the separate houses of a block without any reference to a
general plan, or the appearance of the whole. This front
elevation displays si-x dwellings combined, each having a front
of eighteen feet and built three stories high, surmounted by a
mansard roof of another story. The sky line is agreeably
broken by the different breaks in the elevation producing
a pleasing and artistic effect. The face line of the front has no pro-
: ^ j I ( c pl jecting parts more than twelve inches from the part receding. This
divides the block into six compartments, which afford opportunity
for introducing tasteful adornments, thus giving breadth of light
and depth of shadow. Each house has a bay window and porch
for front door. These may be uniform in shape or varied to suit
the individual taste of the different owners. This design presents
the conception of a block, which at moderate expense will meet
the needs of a large class of business men of ordinaiy circum-
stances. This block may be built of pressed brick, relieved with
stone or marble trimmings, and grains on the four corners, as seen
in cut No. 5.
NO. 6—THE GROUND FLOOR.—A is the parlor, 12x28,
with bay window ; B, the main hall, containing stairway and ves-
tibule; c the pantry; D, the dining-room, 12x16; E, the kitchen,
12x14, and F, the private staircase to the story above. The ar-
rangement of tooms in the other stories may be left to the
No. 6. taste of the o c c u p ^ t s and the requirements of the family.
'-"KJKr^
Uo. 7. To Cost $4,000. (See Pago 520.)

Ko.8. TboOx<nmdSlooirfbrNo>7.
 NO. 7—A GOTHIC COTTAGE V I L L A TO COST $4,000.—We present in
this design a cottage of domestic Tudor style of architecture, suited to a person of
moderate financial ability, and at the same time characterized by convenience, propriety
and the utmost simplicity consistent with the requirements of architectural effect, united
with economy of expense.
We notice first the exterior decorations and proportions of the building. There are
the simple gable of two lines, following the slope of the roof and the steeped gable. The
apex of the gable is usually surmounted by a shaft, octagonal in shape, and a pinnacle
enriched with ornamental mouldings. The roof is high and does not permit many or-
naments, but the sameness may be relieved by using tiles, shingles or slating of
different designs. The windows are not pointed but square-headed, having a mould-
ing in wood comparing with the head and ending in an elbow, as seen in the cut. Tlie
• doors of this cottage are made to correspond with the windows.
This villa is to be constructed of brick of fair quality, laid to an even, smooth wall
line, and having the joints flat It will be two stories high, with attic above the eave.
It will look well, painted in F'rench gray or some other neutral tint
NO. 8—THE GROUND FLOOR—Is an explanation of the ground floor of this
dwelling. A, the vestibule, opening into B, the hall, from which there is a return, con-
taining a staircase leading to second story. This return is semi-circular in front and
forms the base of the tower extending above the roof, as shown in the cut of the front
elevation. This produces a most pleasing and striking effect in the architectural design.
Passing through the hall, we enter the parlor. A, 19x14, and contains two bay windows
The one in front is square, with double or twin windows, and projects two and a half
feet, extending to second story. The one on the side forms the three sides of an octa-
gon. To the rear [of the parlor is a dining-room, A, not connected with i t This is
20x15. The kitchen, A, is 15x16. There is a private passage, C, connecting the kitchen
and dining-room, which opens into the front hall, B, the private stairway and the back
hall, D. This plan may be modified by introducing a china chest in the dining-room. A,
and a door from the front hall to the kitchen ; or other simple changes to suit the taste.
The second story may be finished to suit the taste of the owner, and he may modify
the ground floor to suit his personal requirements.
THE ADORNMENT AND FURNISHING OF THE HOUSE
WITH TASTE, SIMPLICITY AND ECONOMY, ADDING TO ITS BEAUTY AND COMFORT.
ARMONY ' O F COLORS F O R C E I L I N G S , W A L L S , C A R P E T S
A N D F U R N I T U R E . — I n connection with the designs and plans for
homes which we furnish our patrons in this work, it is pertinent to give
some general hints in regard to furnishing and decorating the interior of
those homes. There never was a. time when the opportunities to furnish
the homes of our American people with taste and beauty were more ample than the
present or came so completely within the ability of the most humble citizen.
The surroundings of a well-appointed home have much to do with the happiness
and comfort of the inmates who gather beneath its shelter. It is the bounden duty of
every man who would maintain a respectable position among his fellows to provide for
those whom he loves and for whose comfort he is responsible a home whose beauty and
refinement blend with simplicity and convenience. He is derelict in his duty if he fails
to do this when the means for accomplishing this object are easily obtained at so trifling
au expense of time and effort.
T H E DESIGN
O F T H E HOME.—
The lamented Emer-
son has very wisely
and beautifully said in
ilis Chapter on Do-
mestic Life: " Let
us understand that a
h o m e should bear
witness in all its econ-
omy that human cul-
ture is the end to
which it is built and
garnished. It stands
there under the sun
and moon to ends
analagous to theirs—•
and not less noble
than theirs. It is not
for festivity ; it is not NO. 9—GARDEN COTTAGE TO COST $2,2oa—The upper story (plan not
f o r s l e e p ; b u t t h e pine given)con5istsoffour bed-rcxams .ind a bath-room. See No. 10.
and the oak shall gladly descend from the
mountain to uphold the roof of man as
faithful and as necessary as themselves, to
be the shelter—open always to good and
true person.?—of all which shines with sin-
cerity, brows ever tranquil and a demeanor
impossible to disconcert; where inmates
know what they want; who do not ask
your house how theirs should be kept"
That sentinient is the keynote of the
whole scope and design of a home. It is
not merely a place to eat and drink, sleep
and hang up one's garments, but a place
where love and culture unite in building up
the highest type of social life and moulding,
human character after the best models.
Too many homes lack a distinct iu-
dividiiality of their own and are copied
after the same pattern as others have
NO. 10—GROUND FLOOR.—I, Entrance Porch. ^ ,, 1 i-u r • i, 1 T
2, Lobby. 3, Drawing-room. 4. Libr.ary or Bou- Allowed. They are fumishcd and ar-
doir. 5. Outside Porch. 6. Dining rooms. 7, ranged in sucli a manner, because the
Kitchen. 8, Scullerv. No. 5 might be a Oonserva- , . . , -
tor>. - house of .some other person is thus fur--
nished and arranged. The sense of propriety and the fitness of the surroundings
are lost sight of in this desire to follow the leadership of those who have the prestige
of wealth and social position. This is often done at the expense of taste and comfort,
NO. I I — D E S I G N F O R $2,500 S U B U R B A N
R E S I D E N C E . In selection of this plan liiu architect
has avoided all useless and unsuitable ornanicnis, and
chosen cheap but at the same time substantial ma-
terial, so that not a dollar more will be expended in
the execution of this design than the same accommo-
dation would cost in the usual plain modes of build-
ing. The rooms are all large and airy, beinjf ia size
as follows; (See page 524.)

Second F l o o r ; No. 13.

No. 13, second floor, ch.imher, 15x17 ; 3 cham-
bers, 15x14 ; bath room^ 5ix8. The porches on
the front side and the neat-b.ay window in the draw-
ing room preserve tho symmetrical form of tlio
building.
The building is intended to be built of wood,
but brick could be used with some additional ex-
pense, and if finished in good style with cellar N O . 12—FIRST FLOOR.—Parlor, 13x17; Dining-
throughout would cost about *3,ooo[ perhaps a little room, 15x14, exclusive of bay window; Kitchen,
less in some localities, and in others a few hundred 13x14; Pantry, 3x11; H.tll. 8 feet wide; Front Porch,
dollars more, 6 feet 6 inches wide; Back Porch, n feet wide.

and without due regard to the purpose for which they were designed. Culture,
taste and a regard to the effect upon the whole design should lead every one to
avoid the gaudy display and common decorations which cheapen that effect and
offend' the critical sensibilities. Judgment and a nice discrirhination of " the eternal
fitness of things" should govern in all the appointments of the home, so that the
pleasure, convenience and education of every member of the family may result there-
from.
An originality and distinct individuality of character should distinguish all the
arrangements of the home and bespeak the character of its inmates, and breathe an air
of comfort which delights all the senses.
W H A T I S TASTE.—Scott, in his work Decorative Art, has defined taste to be
" that faculty by which we distinguish whatever is graceful, noble, just and lovable, in
the infinitely varied appearances about us, and in the works of the decorative and im-
itative arts. Immediate impulse in the presence of beauty is to feel and admire;
when the-emotion and sentiment are strong, we are compelled to imitate," An ap-
pearance of taste and refinement may be given to the home of moderate means by
Ifo. X4. Country d e r g y m a n ' a Cottage, to coat $1,000 to $1,200.

Ifo. 18. An Ameriotui Oottase. t o ooat $7,000.

 a thousand ana one little adornments, which are inexpensive in themselves, but which
add much to the tasty and elegant appearance of the whole, A cozy chair in a recess,
a bracket against the wall, a gauzy curtain artistically draped, a tiny cabinet with its
simple treasures, a divan, a bit of embroidery, a gracefully arranged stand of flowers,
and many such things easily procured, distil an atmosphere of sweetness about the
home and affect every member of the family for good.
The correctness of taste has more to do with this than an abundance of money.
Costly furniture, rich tapestry, lu.xuriant carpets, and expensive works of art do not
always make an elegant home. Even these surroundings of wealth may have their effect
NO. 14. COUNTRY CLERGYMAN'S destroyed by an utter want of propriety in de-
COTTAGE.—To cost$r,ooo or $1,200, and to
contJiin upon the first floor No. 15 parlor, study,
sign, color or arrangement. The eye is bur-
bed rooms, sitting room, kitchen and pantries. dened with a profuse display and the sensibili-
•f ties shocked by disregard of artistic taste.
Some thing must have been dragged into the
room which destroys all the beauty and ele-
gance of the whole. The quiet refinement of
a simple home, where the intuitive taste and
judgment of a woman of culture has directed
with delicate hands the decoration, is far better
than the gorgeous display devoid of these. T h e
combination of simplicity and taste siiould be
carried out in all the departments of a home.
Each room should be furnished and adorned
with relation to the design for which it was in-
tended. This may be accomplished at a tri-
fling outlay, and yet to the artistic eye be in
proper harmony and correct contrast. A taste-
ful home so far from being, as many think
" a n expensive luxury," is within the moderate
ability of any lady in the possession of ordi-
First Floor ; No. 15. nary strength and average health. By the
The external appearance of this house is neat proper management of the little details • and a
and proper without showing pretension. A door
at D opens on the veranda. In the study are
judicious expenditure of time and skill she may
book-cases with closets for paper atuB. The, make for herself and family a beautiful home,
parlor is 13x16 feet on one side of the hall and a adorned with comparative luxury.
corresponding dining room on the other side,
the latter having two convenient closets so
jjlaced at the end of the room as to form a kind F U R N I T U R E A N D DECORATION.—
of bay window efTcct. There is also a kitchen, a
bed room for the clergyman and his wife, and a
Here are certain essential points to be ob-
child's bed room all in connc.ction. The door A sen'ed in the furnitiu-e and decoration-
should be glazed in order to light the back en- They are these: A regard for beauty in form;
try more completely. If a communication be- a harmonious combination of colors and the
tween the bed room and the entry is thought
more desirable than the closets, a door may be appropriate fitness of each article for the par«
placed there instead of the closets. ticular purpose for which it is designed.
 Utility and ornament ought to be blended, but in the past, especially in the houses-
of our American families, the practical has held the chief place in all its appointments.
While the useful should reign as king in the household domain, the ornamental at least
should bear sway as queen and both reign over a united kingdom of peace and beauty.
With this thought in view, let us fiurnish our homes and make them attractive to child
and parent alike.

No. 16 ; Rear of Country Clergyman's Cottage.

No. 16 is a small sketch showing the rear of
the cottage. The first story being eleven feet in
the clear, the posts for the frame of this cottage No. 17 ; Second Floor.
would be seventeen feet long. The outside is The Second Floor plan, No. 17, shows five bed rooms-
designed to be covered with vertical sidings and with a closet, a, a, a, a, a, to each. The dotted lines
battens. shows the roof of the veranda.
No. 18.—AN AMERICAN COT-
^-'^^^•T^ff K''''r'i?n2r'^r!'uHe^itf WALL PAPER AND CARPETS.—The-
is intended to be of stone. It is design-
ed so as to be adapted particularly as a paper on the "Wall is designed to actas a background
rkrLTdm!;S,°le t'd""ctifortat;i for whatever the room may contain in the way of
home atany
large. season.
'Xlie roof may bsTlie rooms are
of shingles or decoration and lumiture, and the carpet as the
slate, and tho superstructure of rubble groundwork for the same. There should be a happy
masonry painted. Tlie estimate for thia
house is $7,000, blending of harmonious colors and design, alwaya
bearing in mind the natural arrangements of each
While the back-
ground of a pic-
ture is the part
that is least no-
ticed in the general
effect, it is often |
that part which
causes the artist
the most trouble,
and requires the
most painstaking
SECOND FLOOR, NO 20.
care and delicate The second fioor contains four fine cham-
taste. Regard must
, ' bers, as shown in the plan. The third floor
be had to the Size^^^ ^^^\Q rooms. Of course the arrange-
of the room and ment of the rooms can be modified to suit
GROUND PLAN, NO. 10. - . . .. nM. , .- u
A parlor i 6 « o feet' B norch C the height of its t^^te or necessity. The elevation sho^vs a
mL
X6xi6; E,tt6xl6?eetrD,%htiTrJoS
dining-room, 13x16feet} F, avails
""*"• D e a d white''''"''^"^
•"»-«•" ""*stone
"»•->-jf made of "°' '"° ° " * ' it
or brick ' 'will
" " 'prove
" ^"^a
kitclien, i6xi8 leet. Walls are always most satisfactory and substantial home.
•objectionable, and no pictures or decorations can relieve them and prevent the bar^
blank spaces from standing oi^t in hideous and painful contrast If the general plan
corresponds therewith a light tint may be zdlowed but rarely. A carpet whose
ground work is light, is also objectionable unless the whole plan for the
•color of the room is also light, and even then the carpet should be darker than the
No. 21—SUBURBAN COTTAGE wall, and the wall
(See Elevation.)—The outside appearance naner alwav<! dark-
is attractive, light and pleasant, and not P^P^^ aiways oarK-
over ornamented, a great fault with many er than the tinted
modern houses. The rooms are large and .,• ^ ,
conveniently arranged. Every room of CClJing. KJli t n e
the ground ^floor is pleasant enouf^ for a other hand Very
parlor or a living room.
. dark walls and car-
pet will cause a
gloomy aspect by
absorbing the light.
A tint of medium
color, which will
serve to make the
objects against it
stand out in relief
is preferable' to SECOND STORY, HO. 2 3 .
either e x t r e m e . A, Bed Room 14 ft. 5 in.xii ft. 9 in.;
B, chamber, 18-9x15; C 0, Halls; D,
Beautiful tints for Bed Room, 9-6x11 ; E, Bed Room, I4>
parlor walls are 6x11 ; F, servant's Bed Room, 12-6x14-
6 ; G, passge 3 ft. 6 in. in width.
found in French
pearl gray, a pale buif, delicate green, or warm stone
color. There is a slight tint of pink like the lining
GKOUND rLAN, NO. 2 2 .
No. 22.—GROUND PLAN.—D. R., of sea-shells which looks very lovely and combines
'Rining Room, i8 ft. 9in.xi5 feet; Parloi well with almost every variety of furnishing.
i8 9x14 6 ; Library. 15x14 6 ; Kitchen,
12 6x13 6 ; Wash-Room, 12x8 ; Hall 6 When we refer to the colors of a room, we do
feet 5 inches in width. not signify that the walls are to be of one uniform
color, but the predominant color is mentioned wh^ch may exist with an endless
variety of patterns, and mingling of appropriate colors. A shade of dark almost in-
visible green, broken by narrow, gilt panels, would harmonize well with furniture
tjpholstered in light green. With dark woodwork a pleasing effect is produced by a pale
lemon or apricot We insert the following statement of
COLORS WHICH HARMONIZE AND CONTRAST.—Brown contrasts with
Tvhite, and blue harmonizes with yellow and black.
White contrasts with black, but brown harmonizes.
Yellow contrasts purple, and white harmonizes with orange and pale shades.
Red contrasts with green, but harmonizes with crimson.
Orange contrasts with blue, but harmonizes with rose pink.
Black contrasts with pale colors and harmonizes with deep shades.
Gre?n contrasts with red, and harmonizes with yellow.
Purple contrasts with yellow, and white harmonizes with crimson.
 N o . 26. Bural Gothic rarm HOUBO. to cost $1,100,

*^H\4t?»at^
Z70. ^ > Suburban Cottage.
 To form ground colors. Red with pale blue, yellow, green and pearl.
Good effects are produced by white, with shades of red, green, violet, purple, blue
and brown.
Black with drab, salmon, purple, light blue, gold, pink and lemon.
Green with gray, yellow, pearl, stone, flesh, dove, lemon, purple, pink and lighter
green.
Blue, with light drabs, with yellows, salmon, pink, lighter blue and buff. -
C O N T R A S T S I N C O L O R S REQUIRED.—There is danger that certam colors
of the same depth of tone, without a neutralizing tint between them, will produce a mud-
dled or dirty appearance if placed side by side; such as blue, green and red. But light
blue with dark green will look well if a l i n e of mutual contrast comes between them.
Pale shades of yellow and blue on black ground, wrought in flowing arabesque patterns pro-
duce a pleasing effect, and also brown grounds with mosaic designs and shades of dull red
and tawny yellow on different grounds. Sometimes the most flagrant violation of cor-
rect taste are found in the combination of colors even in the rich designs of carpets, and
we trust that no one who reads these pages will allow these to be urged upon them be-,
cause they are beautiful in design or rich in material. The point of observation for a
carpet is from above, connection that good
and when selecting one taste ought to govern.
this should be remem-
bered, and the person T H E CEILING.—
should judge the de- Two difficult things to
sign and colors with manage in a room are
this thought in mind. white wood work and
T h e design should be white ceiling, because
perfectly flat, with no they too often put all
attempt to perspective,
its appointments out of
such as would be suita-
ble for wall decoration, time. If a light shade
and such effect as would CHEAP COTTACa, NO. 2 4 . of paper is used the
l^^l, ,„..ll in o rMVf.,r« SOME CHEAP COTTAGES.—The accom- „ .
iOOK wen in a p i c t u r e panying designs may be constructed in either effect IS not SO bad,
would b e out of place stone or brick The walls, if stone, should bo
*^ 14 inches thick; if brick. 8 inches, t h e c o n t r a s t IS n o t SO
in t h e carpet, u p o n j ^ e living room, marked A, has two bed- striking F o r o u r own
which o n e is to s t a n d rooms at its rear, a kitchen on the left, and hall °"
,, , , , T entrance on the right. The second, or liall story, ri^rt we never could
and look downward. I t gives bed-rooms over each of these. ^
is enough to say in this see why the ceiling
should be a uniform white, when an agreeable tint can be imparted so easily. While we
are not in favor of highly decorated ceilings for rooms of ordinary size, yet we think
there should be some change from the clear white. In a room whose walls are covered
with paper of subdued gray or other similar tint, the ceiling can be calsomined
with the same tint three or four shades lighter, and a border made with bands of paper
in designs of walnut wood, and the ground lines shaded in gray, with fancy corners and
centre piece of the same, with a thread of gold along the edge. This w^ould have a
pleasing effect, and the imitation would be hard to detect, even with a critical eye.
 KALSOMINING.—There can be no more beautiful and appropriate covering for
the walls of a small room with low ceiling than some one of the exquisite tints formed
by uniting a little color powder, lavender, peach blossom, blue, delicate gray or violet
with the calsomining mixture.
F U R N I T U R E A N D HANGINGS.—An important matter in regard to the furni-
ture and the hanging, and one which too many enterprising furniture-dealers disregard,
is the color and combination of colors. A hue that may be properin one kind of ma-
terial may be the reverse in another. For example, satin may appear gorgeous in yel-
low, but cloths of the same hue would be detestable. What in flannel would seem to be
nothing but a dirty white, in fine cashmere or heavy
silk would appear elegant Green and red of the same
depth never go well together, for although they are
complementary colors, the effect is unpleasant; but a.
delicate sea-green will contrast finely with Indian red
or deep crimson. Some one has written the following i
" As lovely a drawing room as we ever saw in point
of color was carpeted with gray felt with a deep dark-
blue bordering; the lounges and chairs were covered
with chintz in the most delicate shade of robin's-egg,
or gaslight blue, as the wool dealers call i t ; the re-
mainder was of wicker-work and black lacquer; and the
heavy pieces of furniture were in black lacquer and g i l t ;
GROUND PLAN, NO. 2 5 . the curtains were of snowy muslin under lambrequins of
The living room marked A has two chintz; and the rest of the room was made up of vases^
bed-rooms at its rear, a kitchen on
the left, and hall entrance on the tripods, cups, pictures, flowers, and sunshine, till it
right. The second or half story gives seemed to overflow with harmonious color."
bed-rooms over each of these.
A grand rich carpet does not make a furnished room in itself, while a plain straw-
matting, with tasteful mats and rugs of home manufacture, with appropriate articles for
use and a display of flowers and plants, is both furnished and attractive. There must
be a happy blending of all the surroundings.
A ROOM F O R USE.—The apartment that has the air of being kept not for use,,
but display, though it may be artistic, is most unattractive . " The best chairs and sofaa
are those which you like best and those which conform to the natural contour of the
human figure in repose." Let the entire furniture be serviceable, and such as will add
to the comfort of the occupant; in the parlor, not less than in the living room of the^
family.
WINDOWS.—Windows require much attention in properly furnishing. The de-
ijign of the window is to admit the light and to afford the occupant glimpses of
the outer world. Therefore, too much elaboration should not be attempted.
If the immediate surroundings of the outside do not happen to be agreeable, then
there may be some excuse for an artistic attempt to exclude it from view; but an
unobstructed view of pleasant fields and hill slopes, an outlook into the garden, and the
sight of the living panorama of nature is worth more than all the artistic glass painting
and rose-tinted shades that inventive art have ever devised.
 CURTAINS.—In this day, when the ma- NO. a 6 — R U R \ L COTHIC FVRMHOUSE, TO COST
, , . . . !fi,ioo.—See Elevation,
terials and designs of curtains arc so numerous,
there is the widest range for the display of taste
in curtains and shades for the windows of every
room in the house. It would be useless to at-
tempt to give any very definite direction in re-
gard to them. A sense of propriety and the
fitness of things should govern. To produce
the best effect, lace curtains should never be
hung without thick ones of a decided color either
over or under them. Inside curtains of two feet
in length may properly by used with them. The
effect of white FloUands is to subdue and soften
the light, and they make the most satisfactory
shades for such purposes. But crimson and
scarlet hues may be used, as the delicate
shadows cast by them are at the same time
cheerful and becoming. An edging of lace and No. 27—FIRST F L O O R . — P , Parlor; D, Din-
a bow of blue or rose-colored ribbon in the cen- ing-room; K, Kitchen; BB, Bed-rooms; C,
tre just above it adds to the beauty of the white Closet: E, Bath; P , Pantry; VV, Verandas;
W, Woodhouse.
shade. Avoid the use of dark and heavy
lambrequins, which exclude the light and darken the room. Under no circumstances
shut out the needed light or prevent a glimpse upon the outside when that is desirable.
T H E DINING-ROOM.—The common fault with our American houses is that
this room rarely expresses the purpose for which it was designed. It is too often merely
the " eating-room," and an old work soberly puts forth the advice that the dining-
room should contain nothing that would tend to divert the mind from that occupation.
The fact is that this room should, by its cheerful and pleasing appearance, be made as
inviting to the eye as any room in the house. The articles required for daily use should
be not only strong, honest, real and simple, but should possess a dignity and taste which
are indispensable to a proper furnishing of a room. Let the furniture then be tasteful
and serviceable, the walls adorned with proper pictures, the floor with a harmonious
carpet, and all the appointments of the house in keeping with the general idea of refine-
ment and culture. We have already spoken of the adornment of the table, and refer
the reader to our chapter on page 68 of tnis volume.
T H E LIBRARY,—In all homes there should be one room in the house where
the books, of which there ought to be a good supply, may be suitably kept for preser-
vation and reference. However humble the home may be, this library should find a
place, even though a separate room cannot be devoted to i t
BED-ROOMS. — The various theories which have been put forth in regard to sleep-
ing rooms are legion and would comprise a volume in themselves. We will venture only
a few general hints. Ventilation and light are the essential points and are required by
the laws of hygiene and good sense. In reference to the furnishing and arrangement
of these rooms but little need be said. Quite often these rooms are used from necessity
for dressing-room, sitting-room, study, bath-room and boudoir, all in one, and what would
be applicable in one case would be inappropriate in another. Either one of two extremes
must be avoided—a barren, cold, uninviting a.spcct, oh the one hand, and an ovcr-bur-
dcncd and fussy appeai'ance on the other. There must be of necessity a marked indi-
viduality in the sleeping room which partakes of
the characteristics of the one who occupies it.
The air of his or her presence pervades it, and
each room has an aspect peculiar to itself. The
furnishing of the room should accord to the indi-
vidual's tastes and peculiarities, so that he may
• always feel that this is his room.
THE HALLS.—^The first approach to a
house should partake of the general plan of the
whole, and impart to
him who enters it the
hint of what he may
find beyond the outer
courts of its sanctuary.
Once across the thresh-
old which separates it
Ko. 28—SECOND F t o O R . — B B B , Bed-rooms; r ^i. .. .. • i
C. Chamber; CC, Closet; P . Passage. T h e ^^^"^ ^ ^ ^ S^^^f ^ " ^ ^ ^ ^ ^
part containing the two bed-rooms, bathing World, h e s n o u l d b e
and clothes room is quite economically ob- a b l e t o d i s c o v e r SOme-
tained, it being a lean-to addition, one story thJ^cr of t h e soirit
hijjh, with a flatish roof. Above this is a , ."^ . ,
gabled window, wilh its stool resting on this ^ h i c h pcrvadeS t h e
roof, iiie pabie rises to the height of the family and the genius
roof, thus breaking the otherwise monoton- w h i c h ' p r e s i d e s OVer i t s
oiis appearance of th.Tt side of the building ^gg^jj^j^^g The c a r -
and balancing, iu a degree, the mass of the ,, . -
other side. pets,walls,picturesand
The main roof rises at an angle of 4 5 ° ; f u r n i t u r e o f t h e h a l l ,
the woodhouse part is one story—roof one- s h o u l d b e n e i t h e r b e t -
fourth pitch. The inside is finished appro- ternorpoorerthan that
priatel)', plain and neat. The lower story is v. u V
9 feet high in the clear; the upper story; fin- w h l c h h e m a y e x p e c t Nos. 29 AND 30.—These are
ished to cellar beams, is 8 feet 6 inches. T h e w i t h i n t h e O t h e r a p a r t - plans of a superior class of cot-
cellar under kitchen .ind dining room is Well n a g ^ t S of t h e h o u s e , tage suit.ible for a merchant, shop-
lighted and the chimney standing in the centre ^ ^ s e n s e o f u n i t y o r deeper, artisan or clerk, though
is furnished with openings for ventilation: .•'' „ none the less adapted to tho thrifty
with this arrangement the cellar can be kept unity m v..»..:»<...
a r i e t y , >' laborer. A is the parlor, with iis
sweet and wholesome.
. « should
:*... ;_
govern the bay window, J ; B, the dining-
The bathing room is easily accessible, it w h o l e . room; C, the kitchen, with iis
1)ciiig connected with tho kitchen and bed- shelved pantr)-. H ; D, the hall; E,
room, which renders it convenient and CONCLUSION the vestibule; F , staircase; S,
useful. T h e cost of this house, with a W i t h these general chamber; I, porch. T h e second
light timber frame, clapboard lined on inside i ^ „ „ , : uDOn a ^'*^'7> AAA—A, bed-rooms; B,
with inch lumber, then furred with strip lath, u' C ^*'^' ^ ' •^'^'^^sing-room; D, bath-
lathed and plastered, wilh two coats finish, is s u b j e c t Ot SO g r e a t ^^^^ ^J^^ water closet; E , zoofof
about $1,100. i m p o r t a n c e t o all, w e bay window.
leave onr readers to follow the sn;jjgestions which they contain. The questions
which arise in connection with the subject are numerous and susceptible of differ-
ent answers, and would require extended treatment. What we have said in this
general way is merely an oulline, to be filled up in its details by the taste and judgment
of each one interested. It is simply impossible to give a few rigid rules from which
there can be no deviation. Above all things, avoid being a mere imitator of some one
else, but display your own
personal taste and judg-
ment in this matter, and
you will find that it does
not require a prodigal ex-
penditure of money to
make the home the attrac-
tive abode of beauty and
comfort The interesting
and valuable article of
the Rev. Dr. Dennen
(pages 21-28) on " H o m e
Life and Happiness'has an
No. 31—FRO.NT ELEVATION. intimate connection with No. 32—GROU.ND PLAM.

Nos. 33, 34, 35 ANT5 36—A PL.IN OF A BLOCK OV FOUR HOUSES.

Tills plan represents the ground floor of a block of four houses, two or more stories high, built of wood
or brick. It is suitable tor the city or for a inanufacturiiiif villajjfe, an I IIMV b j built plain or ornamental, as
the owner may wish The two pairs are homogeneous and similar, as shown in tlnJ subjoined cut.
The one at tho end is designated with description to suit each. The livinu ruoni in front, 11x13, has a
square bay window. The hall opens from the vestibule and into tho living room and kitchen. The latter is-
the same size as the former, and contains the pantry and china closet, each 5.^5. A staircase leads from t h e
ball to the second story.

this subject and the reader will be more than repaid for perusing it a second or thir^
time. The practical and sensible advice which he has presented in so pleasing a formi.
ought to be the guide in every home and family.
 board—either in a tenement or in an ex-
THE PROBLEM OP LIVING IN liensive dwelling. Americans will not,
NEW YORK. and can not, as a rule, occupy tenements.
N no con.siderable, thoroughly settled They who are poor, therefore, are forced
I city on tho civilized globe is material out of town. Formerly, xiersonsof ordi-
living attended with so many difficulties nary means who felt constrained to stay
ns in Now York. Even in London, to here hod recourse to leasing large houses,
which alone we arc second in commei*cial often at double or ti'eble their o^vn• in-
importance, it is not hard to find a houso comes, and to taking lodgers in order to
or rooms within tho municipal limits at make up the sum for which they were
nny season. The same may be said of liable. This was a desperate shift, for
Paris, Berlin, Vienna, St. Petersburg—of lodgers were uncertain; they, after hav-
any of the Old Worltl capitals, or of any ing been got, might vacate their premises
social centre in the Western Hemisphere. any day, leaving the lessee, who had
But one of tho greatest troubles of tho counted on them, irretrievably in aiTears,
average New-Yorker is to secure a roof to Still, many persons, by foi-co of cireum-
shelter him and his. He has no expecta- stance, including no little luck, contrived
tion of a home—anything like a home is to rub along iu this manner; but many
reserved for the very prosperous few; the more fell into every sort of financial per-
most he dares to hope for is a sojourning plexity, aud were i>endered doubly wretclx-
place for six months, or a year or two at ed in their struggle for existence.
furthest. The effort ho makes to this end, This species of household ti*agedy con-
the anxiety he suffers, are incalculable. tinued for many years, when a break wasi
Where and how he is to live is an ever- seen in the darkness, the break comingj
present, carking thought. Ho never pass- from the erection of flats, or apartment-|
es a dwelling marked To Let, in whole houses, so universal in Paris, and so com-i
or in part, without wanting, even in his mon in most cities of continental Europe.
busiest moments, to stop to inquire when, The first of these, a I'econstructed club-
how long, and for how much it may he house at Fifteenth Street and Fifth Ave-
had. He is seldom settled anjrwhere; he is nue, was small, inconvenient, and very
simply staying in such a street, at such a expensive; but it was all leased long be-
number, until he may discover another fore completion by x>ersons delighted witli
street and number where he may stay. tlie novelty. Othei-s were built^ also in
Moving fi-om place to place is his custom fashionable quarters, and wei'e so dear as
and his cui-se: ho is a kind of Aristeas, for to be beyond the reach of moderate in-
whom tliere is no injst, on whom the inex- comes. They who owned thom said they
orable spirit of Manhattan has inflicted the must get high i>ents while they could, for
doom of disquietude. Years and years ho in a short while there would be so many
has been waiting for a better, or less bad, apartments that rents would be reduced
order of things: there have been promises beyond a point of satisfactory pi*ofit. That
of such periodically, but the promises have time was eagerly looked for and longed
never yet been redeemed. He tries to be- for, but it has not yet ai*rived. It ought
come resigned to what seems the inevita- to have arrived, it would seem, years since,
ble ; he buys a lot in Greenwood or Wood- for many apartment houses have been'
lawn, aud couiforfs himself with the re- erected on ground not very valuable, not-i
flection tliat, once a tenant there, he need ably in the region of upper Broadway,
not move—that he has at last secured a above Forty-second Street, and in thej
home. Nineteenth Wtvrd. Such neighborhoods;
The difficulty of living here is due, of wei^ not thought desirable for private;
course, to tho fact that the bulk of the residences, and single-family houses of the
city is built on an island, and that the better kind could not havo been leased
island is long and narrow, causing land, there at all. But by the putting up of
from its numerous occupation, to be so comfortable and elegant flats high rents
dear that every sqimre foot is naturally were obtained.
turned to the utmost profit. Small houses A number of families will live under
or retisouable rents are, as a consequence, the same roof where one family will not,
unattainable; there is, indeed, no such because, no doubt, if there be any objec-
thing. Thei-e have been but two ways tion to the quarter, the objection is be-
of living hero, presuming one does not lieved to be less, if not wholly removed,
 by a numerous sharing of it. This pecul-
iar though common feeling of human na-
ture has been repeatedly exemplified in the
construction of flats of an ambitious or-
der. Scores of them iu different pai-ts of
the city, near stables, rum-shops, tenement-
houses, rookeries, ai'c occupied by refined,
fastidious people, and with entire content,
Avho would uo more have thought of liv-
ing there as a single family than they
would of living in the Fom-th or Seventh
Wai-d.
The land on which those houses arc
was comparatively cheap, but the rests
ai*e the reverse of cheap. Thcro is no
prospect, in fact, of desirable flats—that is,
apartments of any size, convenient, light,
and au'y—being other than expensive in
this city. It is twelve years since the flrst
apartment-houses were built; hundreds of
them of divers grades have been put up
all over to^vn; but those capable of ac-
commodating a small family, with an ele-
vator, and pleasant, well-ventilnted i-ooms,
can not bo had for less than from $1500
to $2000. There are flats in poor quarters
that rent for from $600 to $800; but they
usually have dark chambers, they are ill
arranged, and are seldom really whole-
some. As a generalization, it may bo said
that reasonable apartments are not good,
and that good apartments are not reason-
able. The fond anticipations chei'ished
eight or ten years ago that a nice, health-
ful apartment might be pi^ocured for from
^500 to ^ 0 0 annually havo long been dis-
pelled. They Avho have no more than
that to spend for a homo, so called, are
obliged to put up with sundry discom-
forts, and to jeopard their health more or
less by sleex)iug.iu dark, close chambers.
It would seem as if economy of any kind
were impracticable in this the costliest of
capitals. The mere decencies of life are
well-nigh beyond the reach, of men de-
pendent on salaries or ordinary incomes.
The average earnings here of men even of
education and taste are not, it is alleged,
in excess of $1500 to $1600, and as the
majority of them have families (the un-
wi*itten law of Manhattan demands that
no couple, unless financially independent,
shall have more than two children), they
are forced into a ceaseless contest for self-
sustainment. Thoy toil through life, en-
dure vexation, disappointment, tribula-
tion, pain, and quit the world leaving no
provision for their families, but generally
in debt. Comparatively few men who cau
command credit die, it is said, witli all
their liabilities discharged. The propor-
tion of New-Yorkers of whom this is tme
must be larger than of other citizens, for
credit here is eaaily got, and the cost of
living is far gi-eater than elsewhere.
Wliat can bo expected of a husband and
a father who cau earn no more tluin $1500
or $1600 ? How is it possible for him to
stem the cun*ent always rmining so strong
against him, especially against the refined
and sensitive poor of Anglo-Saxon strain ?
It is clear that he can not live Iu the city
proper; he mustxutch his tent, as it may
justly be styled, in the rear of Brooklyn,
along the lines of the New Jersey railroads,
among the sand knolls of Long Island, or
amid the pastures of Westchester. He
must come and go dully to aud from his
business in every sort of weather, keeping
mind and nerves ou the stretch lest he
miss the boat or train. His wistful life is
regulated by schedule time; he is ever hur-
ried, planning to save a few minutes, and
yet wasting, from the perpetual stress of
circumstance, liis entire years. He has
no leism'e, no repose; he is absorbed in
town, feverish in the country; he sees lit-
tle of his family, nothing of his friends;
hois engrossed with his petty a£Pairs, which
he may despise, but which he can uot af-
ford for au hour to neglect. His life is
a dull, wearisome round, his most serious
thought how he shall get on, and while
still thinking of it, the cord snaps and
the end comes. He has done his work.
True; but was it worth doing? After
years of grinding labor, what has he
achieved ? where is his recompense ? He
has been striving faithfully for his family,
aud at the close he leaves them the discour-
agement of his example, and probably a
legacy of debt. Such is the inspiring des-
tiny of the average New-Yorker. Verily
is honesty its own and only reward!
Although flats have proved a partial
failure in solving the problem for the mass
of Americans, they have been wannly
welcomed by people of liberal incomes.
They havo become the fashion, and iu a
certain way are very convenient Some
of those that are very elegant hring from
$2500 to $4000, and are readily taken.
One might not believe that an apartment
could be leased at such a price, when whole
houses, and handsome ones, may be had
at those figures. But it should be remem-
bered tliat very expensive apartments are
a saving, in that they require less fumi-
ture aud fewer servants, a smaller outlay
of every kind, than an entiita house, and
at ihe .same time enable their tenants to
present jui equalli' fair appeai-auce in tho
eyes of the world. This last ]>oint is ono
of giave cousidoration with New-Yoi'kers,
who will, as a rule, keep up appearances
at almost any sacrifice. They save, too,
by the new method of living, much trouble,
much friction. A fUit simplifies house-
keeping greatly, and tliey feel that they
can safely leave it and go to the country,
or abroad, for an indefinite period. IS thej"^
had a house they wotild continually be
afraid, and with I'eason, of its being enter-
ed by burglars; and to people who travel
so frequently as New-Yorkers do, freedom
from such fear is not to be disesteemed.
Tlius, socially aud junctically, there are
arguments in favor of flats, and argiunents
of weight. Aa resjiects the mass of the
native ixjpulation, likewise, apartments
have been a gain, notwithstanding the
financial disappointment they have caused.
They have enabled those to have some-
thing akin t o a home of their own; they
have largely done away with the hazard-
ous experiment of leasing houses in the
hope of covering the rent by sub-letting;
thoy have materially reduced the number
of boarding-houses.
The cheaper flats ai'c far from what they
should be, but tliey are a marked advance
ou what preceded them. The pooi-est flat,
provided it bo not unliealthful, is prefer-
able lo tho best boarding-house, which is
as necessarily hostile to true comfort as
it is to domesticity. A decent fiat may
bo procured for from $100 to $500, aud
however unattractive it may be to persons
of dainty or exacting disposition, it will
furnish a very small family wiOi a wholly
separate habitation and a cei*tain kind of
independence. That such a shelter and
retreat may be had to-day—it was impos-
sible ten yeai"8 ago—is testimony that the
city is slowly advancing. If au apart-
ment is not strictly a home (perhaps it de-
serves tho name of a genteel teaeuient) it
is an approach to a home, which the board-
ing-house is uot, and never will be.
W h e n the elevated railroads had been
constructed they were greeted with wide ap-
proval, despite their manifest invasion of
private rights, their obnoxiousness in the
vicinity of then* lines, and their serious
disfigui-ement of the streets, because, in
addition to their rapid transit, they pro-
mised to be the forerunner of small dwell-
ings in the upper part of the island. Small
houses have been wauled for a generation,
but wore not built, for tho obvious reason
that large ones were more I'emunei'ative.
Tho elevated roads, it was argued, would
make them remunerative, and would bring
bock to town thousands of its citizens who
had been expelled by lack of city roofs at
moderate ren Is. Numbers of small houses
vrere built, countless citizens were bi*ought
back, but the olil trouble was encounter-
ed. Rents were nearly double what had
been auticiiiated, aud many citizens wLo
had moved in moved out again. The
roods that had h u r t real estate down towTi
helped it up town, makhig it so valuable
that landlords declared they must get cer-
tain rents in order to meet increased tax-
ation and the like. Once more the lower
middle class were disappointed. Beoson-
ablo rents, they said, will never be; aud
who shall contradict them? Year after
year New York seems to justify the pain-
ful, dispiriting averment that it is a city
of paupere aud miUionaires. Are not t h e
rich growing richer and the poor poorer
as time moves on ? W i l l there ever be a
lieriod wheu the distance between them
Avill bo less? Hope answers, " Y e s ; "
Reason answ^ei"S, " N o . "
The latest—let us trust it will not be the
last—attempt to secure moderate rents was
made some three years ago by tho pro-
mulgation of a plan to build co-operative
apartment-houses. The plan was for sis
or eight or more jieTsons, the numbei* t o
bo regulated by the size of the house, to
form a club or association, and for each
member to contribute a given and equal
amount for the pwpose. I t was maintain-
ed that many of the dearer apailments had
been made superfluously expensive by gar-
niture and decoration in order to recom-
mend them to well-to-do Americans, who
might naturally have a prejudice against
them by association with common tene-
ments, and who would therefore wish to
see a marked outward distinction between
the two. The assertion was well based.
Tho costliness of the earliest apartments
was often deliberate, measurably attribu-
table to excess of ornamentation for the
sake of show and effect, with a view to
incuiTing the favor of appearance-loving
New-Yorkers. At the same time actually
important things, such as plumbing, venti-
lation, and drainage, which could be kept
out of sight, were inferior or slighted.
An Lntclligont economy, a substantial
 impi-ovement, was proposed by the archi-
tect who had broached the co-operative
scheme. Gilding, glitter, all redundan-
cies, were to be avoided, and convenience,
comfort, and health were to be substituted
therefor. The cireulars and pamiihlets is-
sued by the architect declared that a man
might be certain of a refined, every way
desirable homo by adopting his plan, at
less than half, possibly at a tliird, of what
he would be obliged to pay otherwise.
The promise was very templing, the state-
ments were plausible, aud in a few months
eight citizens of less income than ciiltmTS,
who wanted a roof of their own, and to
be independent of the whims and exac-
tions of landlords, were found ready to
enter into the enterprise. The house was
to be, and is, built in Fifty-seventh Street,
and has now been occupied about a twelve-
month. The estimated cost to each of
the owners was to be about $5000, some
$60,000 to be raised on mortgage, making
the value of the house, including i*eal es-
tate, $100,000. Estimates are never cor-
i-ect; they ai'e always below the actuality.
W h e n completed, the house cost about
$180,000, or some $9000 to each owner. I n
it were studios and apartments, common
property, whose rents go towai-d defi'ay-
ing the current expenses of the building,
such as coal, gas, engineer, janitor, eleva-
tor boys, taxes, interest on mortgage, etc.
After appropriating such rents, tlie eight
partnei's, each of whom owns an apartment
in tho building plus one-eighth of the com-
mon property, have reason to believe tliat
$500 each, independent of the money in-
vested, will suffice to meet the annual ruu-
ning expenses.
Tho house Avas contracted for when
mechanics* wages were much lower than
now; the ground was bought to great ad-
vantage— it would bring at present nearly
double the price paid; and consequently,
despite various drawbiicks in one way or
another, the house is decidedly cheap. I t
stands on two lots, 25 by 100 feet each;
contains ten apartments and eight stu-
dios, the lai^er apartments having eleven
rooms, counting the bath-room, and the
smaller apartments, with the bath, eight
and nine rooms. The owners consider
the house w^orth $200,000 easily, aud that
their rent is not, at most, more than sixty
jwr cent, of what tliey would have to pay
were they not their own landlords. Some
of them say that their rent, considering
Ihe present high figures, is not above for-
ty-five per cent, of the rents generally
charged. All of them agree that if they
wished to rent their apartments, their in-
vestment would yield them in all proba-
bility from twelve to fifteen per cent per
annum. It must be borne in mind, how-
ever, that tlieir building is exceptionally
cheap, owing, as I have said, to the lower
prices of wages and real estate some three
years ago. The same building, put up now,
would cost fuUy forty jier cent. more.
Various other co-operative apartment-
houses, in Fifty-eighth Street, Fifty-ninth
Street, Fifth Avenue, Seventh Avenue,
and Madison Avenue, have been built,
and are buildiug, since the initial one iu
Fifty-seventh Street; but only two or
thi-eo are as yet occupied. Most of them
are far more expensive and more preten-
tious tlian the first. Some of them liave
apartments o^vned by the partners togeth-
er, aside from the apartmelits owned by
the individual partners—^thcso are less ex-
pensive to the owners—and other houses
have no common property at all. I t ia
computed that original oAvners (there has
naturally been a good deal of speculation
in these enterprises, men going into them
and selling out for a premium) have gener-
ally secured an investment paying from
ten to twelve jier cent, per annum, aud
that their aimrtments, when occupied by
themselves, save them at least thirty to
forty per cent, in rent. I t is impossible
to be exact, since the houses are so ditfer-
ent in size, cost, and arrangement, and
the rules governing the co-operative asso^
ciations aro so dissimilar.
All these associations are stock com-
panies, made such for more convenient
handling, the owners holding all the
stock, and declaring dividends to one an-
other—the dividends go toward the general
expenses—and paying nominal rent, mere-
ly for form's sake, in order to comply with
the requirements of a corporation. Each
owner is a trustee. A president, secretary,
treasurer, and a house committee consist-
ing of three are elected annually. No
owner is privileged to rent or sell liis
apartment without the concurrence of his
associates, and such rules and regulations
are binding upon each and all as serve for
the protection alike of the a.ssociation and
its members. An apartment may be held,
transferred, or sold—an act of the State
Legislature has been passed to this effect
—^precisely as a whole house may be held,
transferred, or sold, so that there is small
 danger of legal complication or financial
loss through partnership in the co-opera-
tive houses. Many sales have been made
already, and without the slightest trouble
or lunderanco. It is desirable, of course,
that iiarties entering into such a scheme
shoidd be well acquainted with one an-
other personally and professionally, and
in nearly all cases they have been so ac-
quainted. The opinion that many difli-
cultics would bo encountered in carrying
out the plan has deten-ed not a few from
sharing in it, but as none of the anticipated
difficulties has as yet occuiTcd, nor is like-
ly to occur, fears on this score are passing
away.
The objection to co-opei-ative houses in
many minds is not legal but personal.
He who participates in such a project cau
not tell how long his ajssociates will re-
main with him, or who will succeed them.
Men, particularly New-Yorkers, are for-
ever changing their investments and mode
of living. A certain proportion of any
number who would co-operate to secure a
home would be likely at the end of three
or four years to withdi'aw from the com-
pany. Their successors mig^ht be inhar-
monious with the others, thus marring
if not subverting the primary condition
which had been tlie inducement to enter
into the enterprise. Satisfaction w^ith the
scheme, if not its success, must depend on
the reciprocal relations of the owners.
The veiy moment they should become an-
tagonistic, or even very uncongenial, to
one another, co-operation would virtually
cease to co-operate. While many of these
companies will prosper, and the members
be delighted with their connection there-
with, other companies may have trouble,
and the members express regret at the im-
prudence of their action. Everything must
hang on the individuals, and their dispo-
sition to one another. That there is a de-
gree of risk from the causes named in the
co-operative project is evident, and it is
not strange, therefore, that many persons
who believe in the theoiy are skeptical of
its desirableness. The whole matter is
thus far tentative. It will be ten years at
least before any correct general conclusion
can be reached on the subject.
If $2000, or $3000, or even $4000, were
suflicient for ownership in a co-operative
house—and there is no reason why it
should not be—a large number of very
small families in humble circumstances
could be provided with for more comfort-
able abiding-places than they have had
hitherto. It is this class that need domi-
ciliary benefit and relief in New York.
Those who can readily put $10,000 and
upward into a habitation may manage for
themselves; they are beyond the range of
philanthropic sympathies.
But apartments at best ore not and can
not be, in any accurate import, homes.
They axe abodes where persons stay un-
til thoy can find an opportunity or tho
means to go somewhere else. There is
no idea or association of permanence with
them. How can there be in any place
that has no collar, no nurseiy, no store-
room, no closets worthy the name ? An
apartment is simply a suite of rooms, sel-
dom more than eight, where a man and
his wife may live with tolerable conven-
ience and comfort, and wliere one or two
children may, Lf absolutely unavoidable,
be squeezed in. An apartment is not in-
tended for children; but if they will in-
sist on being bom, they must take their
chances, as they are foreed to do every-
where in this city. Home means the hab-
itation of a family; famOy means a mar-
ried couple and their offspring, who, if
capable of understanding the adverse con-
ditions of Manhattan Island, might feel
tempted to spring off it into the water
with which it is so suggestively surround-
ed. There has never been a city whose
situation aud construction are more unfa-
vorable, not to say inimical, to progeny.
They seem to be regarded here as inter-
lopei-s, certainly aa impertinences. They
do not belong, as everybody knows, in
hotels or boarding-bouses, and parents al-
ways experience difliculty in having them
received there. In leasing houses, apart-
ments, or rooms, tlie landlord or agent in-
variably asks the applicant, "Have you
any children ?" very much in the tone and
manner that ho would ask, "Have you
committed murder ?" or, "Are you afflict-
ed witli leprosy ?" If obliged to plead
guilty to one or two children, even though
they be very small, he obviously does not
regard smalluess either of number or size
as any mitigation of your offense: he in-
sults you witli a glance of hatred or con-
tempt, and if he fails to reject you alto-
gether, accepts you with an air of protest,
but only at an advanced rate.
New York is a Malthusian city. It al-
most constrains the conditions which the
English political economist considered es-
sential to repressing population. His pos-
 itive and preventive checks are ever in ac-
tion here—the foi*mer, by shortening hu-
man life among adopted citizens iu the
hideous tenement-houses; the latter, by
hindering marriage and inci>easc of fami-
ly among native citizens. Food is abun-
dant here, but places to live are for Anglo-
Saxons totally inadequate. In Manhattan
there enters into the theme of pi*opagatioii
a factor which Malthus had not taken into
account. Wlio would suppose that the
shape of a city would seriously interfere
with natui-al laws ? The New-Yorker
looks upon wedlock and its usual accom-
paniments at a financial angle, and veiy
nsiturally, under the circuinstances. W h y
should a perfectly sane man assume con-
nubial or paternal responsibilites when
he is conscious that there is no room for
them ? New York jnay be an Elysium
for bachelors, but for a husband and a
father with an ordinary income it is next
door to Hades. Every street, every house,
every provision, says to him: "If you
would tarry here, remain single t Ti-aiis-
gress celibacy, and we cast you out! This
island is reserved for the very rich and the
very poor, for the heedless and tlie home-
less. Being none of these, go elsewhere!
Every way of living, except in a home
Iiroper, is amply furnished here. There
are innumerable hotels of all grades, and
-countlessboarding-houses; there are apart-
ments of every sort, from the finest to the
:shabbiest; there are rooms in private resi-
dences and over shops; rooms witli meals
and without meals; but there are no quiet,
comfortable, atti-active places for a family
•except at prices which the average New-
Yorker may not afford. Within a few
years nice family hotels, as they are call-
-ed, have been opened, and they are admi-
rably kept. But besides being very dear,
tliey are not desuable for children. A
suite of rooms, furnished or unfurnished,
may be hired there for a length of time,
generally not less than a year, meals be-
ing served in the restaurant at a fijced
late, generally fifteen dollars a week per
pei*son. A man and his wife may be de-
lightfully accommodated for from $100 to
$200 a week; but with an income to justi-
fy such expenditure, they could, perhaps,
afi'ord babies and a real home. There are
six or eight such hotels in Fifth Avenue
now, aud there are others elsewhere. They
are iuci'easing, tiiough they do not meet
the urgent want; they do not aid in the
•solution of the problem of living.
Rooms are fi-equently rented, and melils
sent In from the outside by professional
caterers at prices ranging from five to fif-
teen dollars a week per head. Not less
than twentj'' caterers make this either theii*
entire business or a feature of it. They
serve customers at consideiablc distances,
having wagons especially designed for the
jjui-pose, and serve them well. This is
plainly anti-domestic, a gypsy method of
living, a ratlier genteel form of Bohemian
existence iu no wLse suggestive of home.
Introduce childi-en iuto any of these novel
devices, and the objections to them become
iusujierahle.
New York, doubtless, grows steadily
away from the Lares and Penates, for
which, indeed, there is no room iu our
nari'ow homes. If setup, however often,
they would be continually knocked down
with the inish and drive of our feverish
life, and so disfigured as to be unrecogniz-
able. In truth, they have not been recog-
nizable for years. The present generation
lias no acquaintance with them.; could not
even tell how they look. Our fathora
and gi'andfathers were familiar with and
honored tliem, for they had a place to keep
them in their spacious, delightful, old-fash-
ioned homes—homes in fact as well as
name—^happily destitute of household ar-
tifice and all the modern improvements.
W e have no reverence for those deities;
we fancy we have outgrown them be-
cause we have gfrown away from them.
They have nearly ceased to be a memory.
If we should discover them among any
dusty remnants of ancestral possessions,
we should be pretty sure to exchange them
for broken china and Jaiianese idols. The
Lares and Penates do not belong to the
period of i*ampaut bric-^brao. Imagine
them in a house of eighteen to twenty feet
front, or, worse still, in an apartment!
They would be as incongruous with the
surroundings as the early Dutch settlers
would be with the stock-brokera and spec-
ulators of Broad Street.
W h y is it, may naturally be asked, that
people should continually pour into New
York when there is uot room enough for
half of those ah'eady here ? W h y should
thiey persistently seek to live in a city
where, with hosts on hosts of houses, thore
are no homes save for the prosperous ?
There is abundant space in most of the
towns a huudred miles distant. W h y do
not people swell the census thei« instead
I of crowding into an overcrowded capital
 where the chance of success, of competence ries, its pictures, its parks, its architecture,
even, ai'e ten thousand to one against its cultured society, its delightful haunts.
them ? They come in such numbers be- They may be poor, they maybe even shift-
cause so many have come befoi-e them, be- ing from pillar to post, they may bo in
cause New York is the commercial centre endless worry. But there is a reverse side
of the republic, because it is immensely to tlie painting, and in ks contemplation
rich and strong, because, in short, it does they find recompense. For the money-
not need or want them. Great cities, like getting and the pleasure-loving, Manhat-
all great bodies, attract by the fact of tlieir tan is full of seductions—no city more so.
greatness. There is sometliing here for It furnishes commercial and sensuous
everybody—everything, indeed, except a stimulants all the year round. Whatever
home, with what befits it, independence, may fall upon them, there are still schemes
freedom, aud a fair chance, which most and joys untried and enticing. Who has
men are thought to value supremely. not heard hundreds of well-balanced, in-
Having every reason to be deterred, they telligent men and women declare, after
refuse to be deterred; they obstinately living elsewhere, that they would itither
swell the hordes of the homeless, aud pit be crow^ded into rear fourth-story rooms
tlieinsclves, sanguine with expectation, here than own a handsome home beyond
against fearfully overwhelming odds. the smell of the sea ?
A great city always exercises a strange, It is estimated that a man and his wife,
well-nigh iuexplicable fascination on the with one or two children, can not possibly
multitude not less than on individuals. live here in any degree of comfort on less
The former like it for its bigness, its bustle, than $5000 a year. As $1500 is the limit
its movement, its variety, its fluctuations. of the average citizen's earning, what an.
Where there is so much of everything, amount of friction the mass must endure—
they are likely, they believe, to get their and they endure it adently in the main—
share. At any rate, they want to be in the for the incomprehensible privilege of stay-
tumble and the tide. Having no inward ing in New York I No wonder thci'e is
resources, they hunger for tumultuous ex- such a ceaseless struggle for betterment of
ternals. What will they not endure to condition! Homilists call it the haste to
be zeros among the high flgiu«s they can get rich. Observers know that it is mei*e-
never hope to touch ? They will strive ly the dread of debt and dependence, tho
aud toil and agonize, they will piuchi and tendency manifest throughout the uui-
starve, will bear every degree of privation, verse of every particle of matter to place
to whirl in the maelstrom of the metrop- itself in a state of rest. It is the desire,,
olis. intense though vague, and rarely fulfilled,,
Thousands and thousands of men wlio to seciu'e some time the possession of a
have no regular employment, and no spe- home. New York is a great, a most opu-
cial prospects, who are materially and lent city, a marvel of enterprise and prog-
mentally out at elbows, whose whole life ress, in all likelihood the future capital
has been a spiritual tragedy, could not be of the world. When it has achieved its
pei'suaded to-day to leave the city where highest destiny, let us hope that amid its
they have been so constantly baffled and ^lenders and its blessings may be includ-
tormented, where they have suffered so in- ed a few more homes.
tensely, w^ere they assured of a regular and
respectable livelihood in some quiet town
of the interior. Myriads of inmates of the PERSPECTIVES.
.sciualid, distressing tenement-houses, in I.
which morality is as impossible as happi- LiTiNa, he threads the maze below,
ness, would not give them up, de^ite their And looking beyond, ho saith,
horrors, for clean, orderly, wholesome "Ah me! to penetrate and know
habitations in the suburbs, could they be
transpoi*ted there and back free of charge. The greatest of mysteries, Death I"
They are in some unaccountable way ter-
ribly in love with their own wretched-
ness. Dead, he wanders the phantom-land,
As to the individuals—^the educated, And viewing, behind, the strife
thoughtful, self-disciplined—New York Of the world, he cries, '' Ah, to understand
has its allurements for them alSo, its libra- The greatest of mysteries, Life!"
 RECENT BUILDING I N N E W YORK.
H E new departure at least be inielli;^!ble lo himself. From
is a n apt name li " nioveir.eiit" so exclusively eenlrifugnl
for what some that it assumes railior the eluiracter of an
of its eonductoi's exxilosion than of an evolution not much
descnlie ns the acliievenient can be looked for. I n fact,
new "school" iu the "movement" has not, thus far, either
aveliitectni*e and iu England or iu the United States, pi-o-
decoration. It duced a monument which anybody but
has .still, after its anUior wonhl venture to pronounce
nearly ten yeai-s very good. Not to go back to tho times
of a l m o s t ' complete when fjolhic .architt^cllire was vernacu-
sway aniouglhe young lar in England, it has produced nothing
architects of England which can be put in competition with tlie
^ antl of the United works either of the Eiigli.sli classical re-
States, all the signs of vival, or with the works of the English
ii departure—we miglit say of a hurried de- Gothic i-evival—with St. Paul's and the
parture—and gives no hint of an arrival, Radcliffe Library, on tho ono hand, or
•or even of a direction. I t is. in fact, a Willi tiio New Law Corn-Is siiid the Man-
general "breaking u p " in building, as the chester Town-hall, on the other. Before
dispei*sion of Babel was in speecli, and we llie "moA'cnienl" began, the architects of
can only and somewhat desperately hope Europe and America were divided into
that the utterances of every man upon t w o c'lmps. Tlifty profeswed tlieiiiselves
whom a dialect has suddenly fallen may either Renaissance or Gothic architects.

Min li^• n i l I:IIII>-;K I I H . M XI.W imti; M L T « i..> t.f.t»i'ii'•> T I . . . . . I . » > - ' . u i - h .

 ai*chitect shall build
w h a t is right in his
own eyes, even if tui-
alysis finds it absurd
and Vitruvius con-
demns it as incorrect.
"Queen A n n e " is a
comprehensive name
which has been made
to cover a multitude of
incongruities, includ-
ing, indeed, the bulk
of recent work which
otherwise defies classi-
fication, aud there is a
convenient vagueness
about the term which
fits it for that use. But
it is i-atlier noteworthy
that the effect of what
is most specifically
known as Queen A n n e
is to i-estraiu the ex-
uberances of design.
W h o e v e r I'ecalls Viol-
let-le-Duc's pregnant
saying, that " o n l y
primitive sourecs sup-
ply tlie energy for a
long careei"," would
scareely select the
reign of Quei^ A n n e
out of all English his-
tory for a point of de-
partui-e in the histoiy
of auy one of the plas-
tic arts. The bloated
Renascence of W r e n ' s
successors, such as is
shown in Queen's Col-
lego and in Aldrich's
chureli ai-chitecture iu
Oxfoi'd, was its dis-
tuictive attainment
in arehitecture. The
minute and ingenious
wood-carving of Grin-
ling Gibbons was il£
IIECKSSED BALCONY, W. H. T A N D E R B I L T ' S HOIJSK, FIFTH AVENUE. distinctive attainment
lUUtTEK BKOTUERS, ARCHITECTS. i n decoration. No-
The medioevalists acknowledged a subjec- thing could sliow more foreibly the de-
tion to certain principles of design. The generacy of art at the period which of
classioists accepted certain forms and for- late years has been represented as au aes-
mulae as eQicacious and final. They were thetic renascence than the acceptance of
both, therefore, under some restraint. But these wood-carvings, which in execution
the new movement seems to mean that and all technical qualities are as complete,
aspiring genius shall uot be fettered by aud in design and all imaginative quali-
mechanical laws or academic rules, by ties are as triviol and commonplace, as
reason or by revelation, but that every contemisorary Italian sculpture, as works
 of art coraparablo lo tho graceful inven-
tions of Jean Goujon.and clearly prefera-
ble to tho sometimes rude but always pur-
jxisefnl dect>i*ation of mediaeval cliurches.
The revivalists of Queen Auuo have not
confined their attentions to the reign of
that sovereign. They have searched the
Jacobean and the Georgian periods as
well, and have sucked the dregs of the
whole English Renaissance. Unhappily,
nowhere in Euroi>e was the Reuaissauce
so unproductive as in the British Islands.
It was so unpi-oductive, indeed, that Con-
tinontal historians of arehitecture have
seai'cely taken the trouble to look it up
or to refer to it at all. Not merely since
the beginning of the Gothic revival, but
since the beginning of the Greek revival
that was stimulated by the publication of
Stuart's work on Athens, in which for
the first time uncorrupted Greek types
could be studied, what contemporary ai*-
chitects have ransacked as a treasury was
considered a mei*e lumber-room, and fell
not so much into disesteem as into obliv-
ion. During two genei-ations nobody auy
more thought of studying tho works of
English architecture, from Hawksmoor
to "Capability" Brown, than anybody
thought of studying the iKietry of Block-
more and Hayley. Tlie attempt within
the past ten years to raise to the I'ank of
inspirations the relics of this decadence,
which for years had been I'egarded by
everybody as rather ugly and ridiculous,
is one of tho sti'angest episodes in the
strange history of modern arehitecture.
Mr. Norman Shaw has been the chief
evangelist of this strange revival. Mr.
Shaw is a very clever designer, w t h a
special felicity in piquant aud picturesque
groupings, which h e had shown inOothic
work, especially in country houses, before
the caprice seized him of uniting fi'ee com-
position with classic detail, and the attempt
at this union is what is most distinctively
known as Queen Anne. Whoever con-
sidei-s the elements of this combination
would hardly hope that the result could
be a chemical union, or more than a me-
chanical mixture. Classic detail is the
outcome and accompaniment of the sim-
plest couslruclion possible, which was em-
ployed by the Greek ai>chitects in the sim-
plest combination possible, and precisely
because it was so simple and so primitive
tbey were enabled to i-educe it to an " o r -
der," and to carry it to a pitch of i)nrity,
lucidity, and refinement to which the
most enthusiastic mediaivalist will scarce-
ly maintain that more complicated con-
structions have ever attained. But this
very perfection, which was only attainable
when life was simple and the world was
yoimg, this necessary relation between the
construction and the detail of Gi*eek Doric,
makes it forever impossible that (jreek
detail .should be successfully "adapted" to
modern buildings. The latest and sti^ng-
est of the writers on the theory of arehi-
tecture has said of Greek architecture:
" A s partisans of its historical glorj^ we
should desire that it remain forever in its
historical shrine." W e laugh at the men
of two generations ago who covered Eu-
rope and America witli private and pub-
lic buildings iu repi-oduction as exact as
they could contrive of Gi'ccian temples.
But, after all, if the Greek temple be t h e
ultimate, consummate flower, not only of
all actual but of all possible orehitectural
art, were not these men wiser in their gcn-
eialion than theii* successors who have
taken tlio Greek temple to pieces and
tried to construct modern buildings out
of its fragments? There is even some-
thing touching and admirable, in this
view, in tho readiness and comxileteness
of the sacrifice to beauty which the repro-
ducers of the Greek temples made of all
their mei"ely material comforts and cou-
venienoes, something tl^at we miss in tlie
adaptera. The Romans can scarcely be said
to have attempted this adaptation. Tliey
built Roman buildings for purposes and
bj' methods which had never entei-ed t h e
minds of Greek architects to conceive, a n d
they built them with no more thought of
art t h a n enters the mind of a modern rail-
way engineer in designing a truss bridge.
After they were designed accoinliug to their
requirements the Roman engineer over-
laid them, or, according to some conject-
ures, employed Gi'eek decoratoi-s to overlay
them, with an irrelevant ti*ellis of Gi'eek
aitjhitecture, debasing and corrupting the
Greek arehitecture iu the process. And it
is this hybrid architecture, which analysis
would at once have dissolved into its com-
ponent parts, that was accepted without
analysis as the starting-point of " t h e new
departure" of the fifteenth century, and the
ultimate English debasement of which iu
tho eighteenth is taken by the contempo-
rary architects of England and America
as the starting-point of the now departure
in the nuieleenlb. I t can uot be said tliat
Mr. Norman Shaw and his followers have
succeeded in the task of combining free I t would scarcely be worth while to
composition with classic detail, which the point out the faults of designs, if they can
Romans forbore to attempt, and in which even bo described as such, so generally
the French architects of the sixteenth cen- disesteemed as those of the two houses
tury failed. Every attempt to fit antique built for Mr. W . H, Vanderbilt, " t h o s e
detail lo a building faithfully designed to boxes of brown stone with architecture
meet motlern requirements shows that it appliquA.^^ But it is worth pointing out
can not bo so fitted without being ti-ans- that the I'adical eri*or, which in these- ap-
formed, and—since the sole excuse for tlie peal's so crudely and naively as to be pat-
attempt is tliat it can not be bettered— ent to the wayfaring m a n who has never
without being debased. W h a t the Queen thought about architecture, is latent in all
Aune men have done is virtually what the works of the Queen Anne movement—
tho Romans did. They have shirked the to which these houses do uot specifically
impossible jiroblem they unnecessarily im- belong—and must vitiate every attempt to
posed upon themselves, and have either adjust classic detail to free and modem
overlaid or inlaid their buildings with their composition. Classic detail can not grow
arehitecture. Of course the i-esult of this out of modem structures faithfully de-
pi-ocess can n o moi'o be accepted as an ar- signed for modern purposes, as it grows
chitectural organism than if they had out of antique structure, or as Gothic
h u n g water-pi-oof pajier on the outer walls ornament grows out of Gothic structure,
instead of decollating them with carving, like a n efflorescence. It must be " adjust-
or moulding, or what not, built in the • ed" as visibly an after-thought, and to say
walls, but no more architecturally related this is to say that in all Queen Anne build-
to tliem than the paper-hanging. But this ings the arehitecture is appliqui.
is precisely what has been done in every However, to disparage Queen A n n e is
" free classic" building, with more or less not to explain its acceptance. I t looks
skill and dissimulation of Ihe process. I t like a mere masqueiade of nineteenth-cen-
is seldom done with the winning candor tury men i n eighteenth-century clothes^
wilh which it has been done in the houso and with many of its practitioners it is n o
of Mr. W . H . Vanderbilt, in New York, more. I n England it seems to have ori-
which is officially described as a specimen ginated as a caprice b y which a clever and
of the "Greek Renaissance," possibly be- dashing but by no means epoch-making
cause its architectural details are all Ro- arehitect misled the younger aud weaker
man. I n that edifice two bands of exqui- of his brethren. In this country, which
site carving—exquisite in execution, that is has never been much more architectural-
to say—which girdle the building, simply ly than an English colony, there seemed
occur on the wall a t levels where they special reasons for following the new
are quite meaningless in relation to the fiishiou of lieing old-fashioned. Ameri-
building, where, consequently, they would can architects, and American builders he-
not help tlie expression of the buililing, if fore there were any American architects,
the building could be said to have any ex- had been exhorted, as they have lately
pression beyond that of settled gloom, and been exhorted again, to do something dis-
where the irrelevant carving, not being tinctively American. The colonial build-
framed by itself, would contradict the ex- iug, which was done by trained English
pre.ssion of a structure which was archi- mechanics, was of the same chaiacter as
tecturally aud uot alone mechanically a the contemporary domestic work of E n g
building. H o w much this carving would land, and showed i n its ornament the
gain by being fi-amed away, so that if it same unrefiectiug acceptance of a set bi
did not help, it should at least not injure, forms and formulse bequeathed as a tradi-
the architecture to which it is attached, tion of the trade and part of the outfit of
m a y b e soon by comparing these Vander- a journeyman. Although Jett'erson com-
bilt houiscs with a brown-stone house, in plained that iu his time and in rural Vir-
formal Renaissance, in upper Fifth Ave- ginia it was impossible to " find a work-
nue, near Sixty-ninth Street, where the man who could draw an oi'der,"it is evi-
carving is neither be,tter cut nor more dent that there was n o difficulty of t h a t
abundant t h a n that of the Vanderbilt kind in other parts of the country. These
houses,.but where its disposition at least trained workmen, it ia to be noted, were
appears to be premeditated and not cas- all carpenters, and there is probably uo
ual. woric in stone which shows an equal pre-
cision and facility in workmanship. Such swered that tliere was no such language,
buildings as the New York City Hall and and that a few bits of slang did not con-
the Albany Academy were clearly the stitute a poetical vocabulary. The feel-
work of ai'chileets of culture accoitling to ing which urges a n artist to be patriotic
the standai*d of tho time. The only archi- by being different from other people not
tectural qualities of the works of the me- long ago led Mr. W a l t Wliilnian to re-
chanics were the modemtion and I'espect- sent the absence of an "autochthonous"
ability of detail, which they had learned poetry, and has lately led a uews))a))er
as part of their trade, and it is quite ab- writer to call the attention of a New Eng-
surd to ascribe to these buildings any val- land building committee to the log cabin
ue as works of art. I t is particularly ab- as the most suitable motive for a town-
sni*d to assign the degradation of house- hall they are going to build.
building which undoubtedly followed, The Northern reader notes with mild
and which made the typical American amu.sement the occasional i-esentment iu
house, aftei" the Greek temple had spent the Southern press of the absence of a
its force, the most vulgar habitation ever "distinctive Southern litei-ature," and
built by man, to the substitution of book- perceives the plaint to be provincial; but
learneil architects for handicraftsmen. ho is not .so quick to iieitieive that his own
People talk as if the middle part of Fifth clamor for an American this or that is
Avenue, the brown-stone high-stoop house equally provincial. The hard lot of the
Avitli its bloated tletail, which displaced the American painter has lately been bewail-
prim precision of the older work, had been ed, in that, when he has tried to rid himself
done by educated architects. In fact, there of his provincialism by learning to paint,
was probably not a building put up iu and has learned to paint more or less as
New York after the design of an educa- other men do who have learneil to paint,
ted architect between the works wc have he is s t m g h t w a y bei-atetl for not beinp-
mentioned and tho erection of Trinity
Church by Mr. Upjohn in 1845, which not
only marked a great advance over any-
thing that had been done before, but be-
gan the Gothic revival to which we di-
rectly or indirectly owe whatever of mer-
it has been done since, including so much
of Queen Anne as, not being Queen Anne,
is good. But the bulk of the building
which gave its ai*chitectural character
to New York and to the country
continued to be done by me-
chanics, who continued, so ..--.•uiii,
far as they could, to supply / '',yijf/u
the demand of the ••'•fim
market, who gradu-
ally lost the training
thei r predecessors had
enjoyed, and who lost
also all sense of the
necessity for that
training iu the new
demand that their
work should be,
above all things,
" American." As
the slang of to-day
lints it, they were
exhorted, as the ar-
chileclsare still some-
times exhorted, to
"talkUnited Slates."
They might have an-
rOST AND RAILING, W. II. V A N D E R B I L T ' S HOUSE, KI>T1I AVENUE.
 selves as architects. They
undoubtedly attained dif-
ference, aud their works
Y.'-i.'^-'S-'! •
•~:,V,', V.'. ,. -
ditl uot remiud the trav-
elled observer of any of the
masterpieces of Eui-ope. I t
is quite conceivable and
u o t ^ t all discreditable that
the wild work of Broad-
way and of Fifth Avenue
should have led architects
of seiKsibility to cast many
longing, lingering looks
liehind a t ' t h e decorum of
the Bowling Green and
Washington Square, a n d
to sigh for a return of the
times when t h e common
street architecture of New
York was sober and respect-
able, even if it was conven-
tional and stupid.
This justifiable prefer-
ence for Bowling Green
aud W a s h i u g ^ n Square
aud St. J o h n ' s P a r k over
Bix)adway and Madison
Square aud Murray Hill,
for a n ai"chitecture con-
fessedly colonial over a u
architecture aggre.ssively
provincial, is n o doubt the
explanation why so m a n y
of our younger architects
made haste to fall in be-
hind the Queen A n n e
standard. W h a t we really
^'S'^'^^S^'^'^'^^^b^'^'^i^'^^^^^^-^^^'^-^^
have a right to blame them
for is for not so far ana-
lyzing theu' own emotions
DOORWAYS ON UAUISON AVENUE.—O. £. HARNEY, AND ]d«KlM, XGAO, as to discover that the qual-
AND WHITE, AROUITECTS.
ities they admired in the
older work, or admired by
provincial. If American literature or comparison with the newer, were not de-
painting or arehitecture is good, the pendent upon the actual details in which
Americanism of it m a y safely be left to thoy found them. To be " content to dwell
take care of itself. But a m a n can not be in decencies forever" was not considered
expected to innovate to much purpose the mark of a loftj"" character even by a
upon usages with which he is unfamiliar; poet of the time of Queen Aune. If virtue
and the effects which Mr. Whitman's ad- were, indeed, " t o o painful an endeavor,"
monition to his fellow-poets to " fix their and if there were n o choice except between
verses to the gauge of the round globe" the state of dwelling in decencies and the
would probably have upon a n aspiring state of dwelling in indecencies forever, we
young poet, conscious of genius, but weak could but admit that they had chosen the
in his parts of speech, are the effects which better pai*t. But they were not, in fact,
the demand for aboriginality actually hod confined to a choice between these alter-
upon the race of builders, whether they natives. The Gothic i^evival iu England,
were content with' that title, or without after twenty years, had succeeded in es-
any sufficient pi-ovocatiou described them- tablishing something much more like a
 real vernacular architecture than had lifeii expen.sivoly that llicy have ])ro(liup{i in
known in England befoiti .since the build- iiiind.s—like 8unie of tlieir own—which do
ing of the cathedrals — an arcliiUcturo not reflect inucli iqioii those thin<,'s, the
which, although sliifliiiff from funmilus impres.sion that if luxury and art are not
and traditions, had attained to priiifiples, .syiionymou.s, they are at least inseparably
and wn.s true, earnest, and alive. It was coiinectc'd, with Uiu latter in the cajiacily
quite inevitable that it should bo crude in of linndmaiden. But will any educated
pi'oiiortion a.s it wa.s aliv(>, accortling to tlie ai'chileft assert that the characteristic nioii-
frankness with which it recognized tlmt umeiittt of tho last five or six years, grcat-
we live in limes unkiiown lo Uie tiiK-ient.s,
and endeavored to res])ond with changes
in its orguni.sm to clianges wrought in its
environment by new requirements ami
new knowledge, with forms uece&sarily
rude, inchoate, einbrvonic, as be.seenis the
formative period of letters and of arts as of
life, in contrusl wilh the nlliiiiale refiiie-
nicnt which is the mark of a complclod do-
velopiiR'iil. Bul that these crudities would
he refined was also inevitiible ; that they
were in process of i-efinement was appar-
ent. Another generation of artists aa ear-
nest as those who began the Gothic revival
might have brought this rough and swell-
ing bud to a splendid blossom. But in au
evil hour, and nnder a strange spell, the
young arcliilects of the Unitetl Stales fol-
lowed Die young nrchilects of England in
]>if;ferring the reHnementa of a fixed and
developetl architecture to the rudenesses
i^f a living and gix^wing architecture. Be-
cause they did not see their way at once
lo "supply every deficiency and .symme-
trize every disproportion," they did not
h^ave this for their succes.sors, but aban-
doned the attempt at an expression of the
things they were doing for the elegant ex-
pression iu antique architecture of mean-
ings which have grown meaningless to
uioderu men.
They have had their way in New York
for seven or eight yeai^s, during a period
unprecedented in buildiug activity, and
out of all comparison in the profusion
>vilh which money has been lavished
iupou buildiiigand decoi-aliou. W h a t have
they gained for architectural art? They
have, indeed, subjected many miles of
OniEL OF UOV»K IN FIFTV-FOURTO STREET.
sandstone to the refining influeneo of egg C. C. IIAIGIIT, ARCHITECT.
and dart mouldings (the designer of a
house in Fifth Avenue has so much faith
in the eilicacy of that ornament that he ly superior in quantitj', and superior by
hasbelled his street front with three rows a great iimlliple in cost, are equal in arclii-
of it, one above the other), and triglyphs tcctnral value to the work of the decade
(faithfully to have conlein|ila(ed which lii-eceding? Suppo.se that Mr. Norman
sofleii.s llie niaiiners nor suffei-s Ui be rude) Shaw had not bedevilled tho weaker of
have been brought within the reach of the liis brethren, nnd that this unprecedonled
humblest in tho decoration of tenement- building aclivit3' and this unparalleled
houses. Tiiev have built so much and so .spending of money that have fallen un-
 der the control of architects had been directed along the lines laid
down by llie Gothic revivalists, and had oxleiided,consolidated, and
refined the work begun and carried on here by such architects as
Mr. Upjohn. Mr. Eidlitz, Mr. Withers, Mr. Cady.'Mr. Potter, and Mr.
Wight, will any educated architect maintain thai the i-esult of such
ain'oeess would not havo been noblernionumentsthanany to which
we can ]>oint as characteri.slic products of the later inovenient?
We might ask Mv. Harney, for example, who has been ono
of tho noteworthy contributors lo the works of both periods,
whether in falling lo " g r a c e " ho has not fallen from
something more important. One can readily under-
stand that Mr. Huriicy, in contemplating the effect of
his conipleled work iu the re.spGctable warehou.se at
tho corner of Bond Street ond Broadwaj', should have
been disajipointed iu the ett'cct of much of the detail
he had designed for his building, should have found
some of it rude, some of it disproportionate lo its func-
tion and position, and none of it exquisite in model-
ling. It is also intelligible that he may have lieen
dissatisfied with some parts even of his still more
sucue.ssful house at Fifth Avenue and Fifty-seventh
Street, which, always a grateful object, has lately ac-
quired au air of additional distinction from the eager
architectural competition which has set in alongside
of it, and the results of which give an air of unques-
tionable animation—the animation of excited conli'o-
A'ersy—lo Fifty-seventh Street from Fifth to Sixth
Avenue. This dissati.sfaction, if the architect under-
Avent it, was a. whole.sonie discontent which we should
have expected to see allayed by more thoi-oughly slud-
ie<l detail in Mr. Harney's succeeding work. But it
seems to havo been a morbid sensiliveness to the de-
fects of his work which led Mr. H a n i e y to
abandon altogether and in despair the prac-
tice of architectural design, and when he
had another commercial building lo dti to
erect in W^all Street an entirely inetfectual
.structure, of which the arcliilecture that ono
carries away with him consislK in a crow-
stepped gable, an irrelcA-ant entablature aj>
filiqm which crosses the building half-way
up. and windows covered with flat arches,
tlie kcy-sfones of which are "shoi-ed u p "
b^' the inuUions; and, when he had another
city houso to do, to depute the design of it
to some unknown carpenter who died before
( A ) II0U3K IS KIKTY-8I.\T1I STRECT. he was born, and to reproduce accui-ately
UUUCE TRICE, ARCIIITIiCT. in Madison Avenue a Vandam or Charlton
Street house built out of due lime, with a
familiar " o l d Now York" doorway, in the jambs of which quoins intercept sheaves of
mouldings. This confession that a carpenter of 1825 Avas a better-trained designer
than an educated architect of 1880 is very possibly creditable to the personal modesty
of tlie latter; but Mr. Harney's own earlier works sufficiently testify that it-does not
do him justice.
Mr. Cady, one of the most important and di.stingui.shed of the contributors to the
Gothic revival iu New York, has akso of late yeara become a convert to tho new
movement, and seems from our point of view lo have thrown himself away wilh
even less j^ufficieut cause than that which iiii])elled Mr. Harney to his I'ash act. F o r
we havo distinctly admitted that Mr. Harney had reason to be dissatisfied with his
 n e e d lo be p u t u n d e r t h e b o n d s of a s t y l e
in order to insure his keeping tho peace.
Ono Avondei-s what Mr. Cady believes
himself to have gained in abandoning
the style of his brilliant Art Building iu
Bi-ooklyn for the style of his not very
noticeable house in Fifty-seventh Street.
Quietude can no doubt be attained in
Queen Anne, but it can also be attained,
by aixihilects who aro really in quest of
it, ui other styles quite as well, which ad-
mit a much wider i-ange of expression,
vvhilo tho student is foree<l to doubt
whether by^means of the meagre reper-
tory of Queen Anne a n y other quality
than quietude can be expressed. lis suc-
cesses in domestic architecture are mainly

vS^

«>^-^:
(O) HOUSES IN MADISON AVENUE.
R. M. HUNT, ARCHITECT.

Gothic detail, while we cau not make that ad-

mission in behalf of Mr. Cady. Mr. Cndy's
ueWer work is shown in a house of red brick
and. brown sandstone, which ho contributed
to the architectiu'al competition jnst noticed.
This edifice shows a desii*e to live at peace in
the inid.st of very qnaiTclsomo neighboi's. Mr.
Cady, indeed, could scarcely design a vulgar
and vociferous work if he tried. At any rate, (C) ORIEL OF UOVSK I.N SI.Vn-.TlIIRD BTHKKT.
ho has never tried, and does n o t in the least c. L. w . Eini.mr., AnniiiTKcr.

UOURWAY, FIFni ATKNUK BELOW SEVEKTY-FIFTH
STREET. TUOUAS ROBERTSON, ARCHITECT.
the successes of unnoticeableness, which is
really the character not only of the dwell-
ings just mentioned, but of a house by Mr.
Robertson in Fifth Avenue, of a house by
Mr. Haight in Fifty-fourth Sti*eet, and of
a house, which has tho great advantage of
double the usual frontage, by Messra.
McKim, Me^d, and White, in Madison
Avenue, adjoining Mr, Harney's repi-o-
duction; for the tall retl brick house in
Thirty-fourth Street, by these latter archi-
tects, which looks less like a work of
architecluml art than a magnified piece
of furniture "with the Chippendale feel-
ing," cau scareely bo called successful,
while the house they designed for Mi*.
Astor in Fifth Avenue, a simply and qui-
etly treated street front in brick and sand-
stoue, cau certainly not be called Queen
Anne, in spite of the three rows of egg and
dart moulding, already remarked, which
crown its rock-faced basement. The
highest praise to which these typical
Queen Anne houses can aspire, iu spite
of some thoroughly studied detail, such ns
tho treatment of the oriel in that one do
signed by Mr. Haight, is Uiat they look
like eligible mansions for highly I'espect-
able families content with dwelling iii
the decencies; and this is also the highest
praise that can be bestowed upon their
prototypes of the Georgian era. W e can
repeat the admission that it is for bolter
they should look like that than like the
habitations of vulgarly ostentatious pei*^
sons, without thereby admitting that the
prim and piKisaio expression of respecta-
bility never so eminent can be scored as
a triumph in domestic arehitecture. The
domestic architecture of Venice or Rouen
or Nuremberg has something more to say
to us than that. And a touch of such
spirit and picturesqueness as Mr. Bruce
Price has given us in a brick house in
Fifty-sixth Street (A), as Mr. Hunt has
given us not only in the elaborately ornate
house of Mr. W. K. Vanderbilt, but in some
dweUiugs in upper Madison Avenue (B),
or as Mr. Cyinis Eidlitz has given us iu the
detail of some houses in Sixty-third Street
(C), is more to be desired than a mere omis-
sion to outi'oge decorum.
Such as the successes of Queen Anne
in domestic architecture are, they are its
only successes, although it is only fair to
say that much intei*esting work has been
done in it, if not stinctly of it, in suburban
houses and sea-side cottages, which do not
come within our present scope. A "fea-
ture" suffices for the architecture.of a nai^
row street front, and a feature may be
compiled out of the repertory of Queen
Anne by a designer who thinks that re-
sult a rewui>d of his pains. The oriel, for
example, iu effect comprises the arehitect-
ure of the house just mentioned as de-
signed hy Mr. Haight. But even in a
house which is only a feature the classic
detail is not always adjusted without a
visible, incongruity to the constructious,
out of which classic detail can not spon-
taneously grow as it grew out ol classic
constructions. The doorway, for exam-
ple, of the house designed by Mr. Robert-
son, which is virtually rei>euted in the
window over it, is a moulded i*oiind aixih
standing upon pilastera of its own width,
and thus apparently making of the jamb
and areh a complete aud detached con-
struction. That is to say, the pilastera
seem to carry the areh. The architect of
tho New York Post-oflice has done tlie
same thing in a much ruder way. . But
the elegance of Mr. Robertson's detail cau
 not rid even the spectator who does not
stop to analyze tho source of the feeling of
an uneasy .sen.satiou that wdiat is thus ele-
gantly expressed is not the fact. An arch
does in fact exercise a lateral as well as a
vertical pressure, and if the arch and its
vertical supports formed a detiched con-
struetiou, as they here apiicar to do, the
arch would be unstable. Insensible as
the classical Romans were to considera-
tions of artistic expression, they were not
so iiLseusible as this. They recognized
the existence of a lateral pressure by
marking the inijwst of the arches with a
continuous moulding, thus allying the
arch with its latei-al abutment as well as
wilh its vertical supjiort, and here the archi-
tect of the Post-officHJ, wiser, or, if thought
lie not predicableof his architecture, more
fortunate, than Mr. Robertson, has been
content to imitate them.
The. buildings in which these solecisms
appear, we repeat, are the successes of
Queen Anne. F o r structures more com-
plicated most of its practitioners have
shrunk from invoking it. Mcs-sra. Pea-
Ixidy and Stearns, indeed, took the gixiund,
when they designed the Union League
Club House, that a "feature" supplied a
sufficient idea for t h a t edifice, and that a
portico of four large Roman Corinthian
columns in front, subdued to a n equal
number of brick pilasters o n the side,
would meet the architectural require-
ments of the case, if they let their con-
sciousness play freely over the remaining
surfaces without reference to this centiul
thought; but the result has scarcel}' jus-
tified this belief, aud the si>ectator finds
that the building, in spite of the unifying
infiueiicO' of a large and simple roof, in
addition to the feature in question, does
not make a total impression, but is scat-
tering and confused, while its parts, taken
suiglj-, ai"e feeble in spite of their exliava-
gant scale. This, indeed, is not even a
sacrifice to the architectural or social con-
A'CMitions, but a siJecimen of what can be
achieved hy gentle dullness gone ramp-
ant. If tame Queen Anne is a somewhat
ineffectual thing, what shall be said of
wild Queen Anno ? There is nothing wild
about two other public buildings in Avhich
architects have ventured upon Queen
Anne—one a hospital, in Park Avenue, b^'
Mr. Haight, and ono an "institution" of
some other kind, in Le.vington Avenue, by
Mr. Fernbach. Both of tlu«e, indoe<l, are
tame, and whatever the differences of de-
tail may be, both have much the same ex-
pression, so that one carries away fi-oin
either, as from ono of the conimonplace
faces which Ave are always confounding,
au impression which niity be that of the
other—in either ca.se of a centime with pi-o-
jectiiig wings separately roofed, and tho
Avhole wall overlaid Avith a shallow trellis
of brick-Avork, too shallow to be serviceable
as buttresses, and serviceable only as the
badge of the alleged' * style." I t seems hartl
uixjii au owner that h e should be required
to pay money for rectangular applications
of brick which cau scarcely strengtheu his
building appreciably, aud can hardly be
held to beautif J' it, by way merely of laliel-
lingit, " T h i s is Queen Anne." And this
resemblance, be it noted, As-hich is not so
much a specific resemblance as the ex-
pression of an amiable characterlessness
common to both, is not all to be imputed
to tlie arehitects, except upon the gi'ound
of their choice of a style. The works of
both of them have character, and uot at
all the same character, Avhen they are
working iu a .stylo w h i c h is a real form-
language in which meanings can lae ex-
pi^essed, and not a mere little phrase-book
containing elegant extracts Avherewith to
garui.sh aimless discoui-se. Mr. Fernbach,
as is testified by such Avorks as the Staaia-
Zeitung building and the German Sav-
ings-Bank in New York, and the build-
ing of the Mutual Insuiauce Company in
Philadelpliia, is ono of the most accom-
plished practitionei's in this country of
academic Renaissance. Mr. Haight, as
Ave shall pi-esently see more at large, is a
highly accomplished designer in (iotjiic.
It is not theu* fault if Queen Anne, when
spread over an extensive fa^*ade, spreads
thin.
Mr. Robertson is the only architect AVIIO
has h,id the temerity to attempt a Queen
Anne cliui"ch, and the success of his essay
is not such as to invite imitation. Tiie
essay itself is a little church in ^Eadison
Avenue, Avith not much of Queen Anne
iu the main Avails, AAdiich are of a rugged
i-usticity, with the needful openings left
squai-e-headed and unniodelIe<l: bnt these
Avails ar« <;rowiied with aclere-story faced
Avith yelloAV .shingles, under abroad gable,
and its openings united under a thin ogee
canopy of painted pine. There is here
aud thore a little cla.ssic detail, Avhich, if
it pleases the designer, certainly hurts no-
body, but it is the inlerior that is dedi-
cated to Queen Anne. Here one may see
what the German critics call the " p l a y -
ful use" of forms devised for one construc-
tion and one material in another materi-
al and with no vi.sible construction, aud
the it'sult of this pleisanlry is Avhat a
German pi-ofessor celebrated in recent fic-
tion describes as " a n important joke."
In the main fcatui^es of this interior, how-
over, the ti-eatment passes a joke, for the
mahogany nave arches, with their little
])rolrudiug key-woods, and their support-
ing posts incased in boxed pedestals, are
actually doing the work of carrying the
clerestory,unless, indeed, thci'e is a con-
cealed system of iron-Avork, although their
function is so far sacrificed to their form
that they ai-e doing the work in the most
ungainly and ineffective fashion. Above
this, as the repertory of Queen Anne con-
taius no forms that can be even tortured
into the constniction of an open ceiling,
the architect has omitted design altogeth-
er, and left his ceiling a mere loft, sheath-
ed underneath Avitli yellow pine. Else-
nhere, as in the fittings of the chancel,
the use of forms is entirely playful, so
that tho interior of the church seems to be
a collection of xileasantries. I n a dining-
room, for example, Ave should pronounce
them gixid. jokes, but i-eally iu a church
a discussion of their merit as jokes seems
lo be ruled out by the previous question
as to the admissibility iu tho sacred edifice
of levity even of the highest oi-der. I t is
perhaps fortunate for theappliers of Queen
Aune to ecclesiastical u.ses, and indeed for
the designora of " c o z y " churches in gen-
eral, that there is no official censorship
of chureli architecture as thero is of church
music, and t h a t no rubric makes it the duty
of every minister, with such assistance as
h e can obtain fi-oni pei-sons skilled in ar-
chitecture, to suppress all light and un-
seemly ai-chitecture by Avliich vain and
ungodly persons profane the service of
the sanctuary. W e m a y ask Mr. Robert-
son, in the spirit in which we have been
asking other architects, Avliat he has gain-
ed by abandoning such an effort as he
made some ten yeara ago in the Phillips
Memorial Church lo dcvelo]) a com|K)si-
tion out of his subject in faA'^or of these
scraps of quotations, and of quotations nei-
ther fresh nor very pregnant! H e might
answer that the chui'ch iu Avhicli Ave ad-
mire at least the effort was a somewhat
untamed and obstreperous fabric, and that
the present edifice is much more chastened
and subdued. I t is tame, n o doubt, aud
Mr. Robertson's talent, Avlieu he works in
Queen Anne, is subdued—
" siilxlucd
To wlLit it works in, like tho dyer's hand;"
but upon the whole it is diflHcult to see
how the architect, comijaring the earlier
Avitli the later AVork, could fail to feel t h a t
the attempt to express something, how-
ever crude and so far unsuccessful the at-
tempt might have been, was a more m a n l y
and artistic employment thmi this elegant
trifling, in which the highest attainable
success has au element of puerility. I n
truth it is gratifying to remark t h a t the
ai-gument by Avhich Ave have supposed the
architect to have solaced himself for t h e
result of his ecclesiastical labora in Queen
A n n e does not seem to have convinced
himself, aud that a later work still, a sand-
stone church further down the same ave-
uue, is a much more serious piece of de-
sign, being an attempt to develop the ai'-
chitecture out of the structure itself. I t
would be especially unjust to misapply to
Mr. Robertson's Queen Anne church the
saying that the style is the man, for the
church last mentioned shows t h a t Mi>.
Robertson is a man of talents, Avhon he
gives his talents a chance. But a beauti-
ful house in West Fifty-fourth Street,
completed too late for illusti*ation here, is
an admirable expression in design of do-
mestic peace and domestic seclusion. And
it also shows that it is uot necessary to re-
Xieat the old houses of New York in order
to more than repi-oduce their atti'uctive-
ness.
Thus far Ave have been speaking of the
respectable and conservative element in
the new departure, of the extreme Right,
so to speak, and generally of works which
Avere seriously designed, and soi ai-e enti-
tled to be seriously considered. I t is not
so pleasant to turn to the extreme Left, a
frantic and vociferous mob, AVIIO welcome
the " n e w departure" as the disestablish-
ment of all standards, whether of author-
ity or of i-eason, and as a u emancipation
from all i-estraints, even those of pubhc
decency, and AVIIO avail themselves of
the remission of them from academic re-
staaints to these imposed by their own
sense of propriety by promptly showing
that they haven't any. The tame deco-
rum of one phase of ttie new departure
is supplemented by the violent indecorum
of another. Sometimes the same desig'ners
march now with ono wing and now Avith
the other of the divergent host. Messi-s. doorway is aunnouuted with the imitation
McKim, Mead, and White, for example, in granite of a metal flap secui-ed lo the i-est
liaA'O consoled Ihcinsolvos for what now of tho block from which it is cut by simil-
almost seems to havo been the enforced itudes in granite of iron Ixilt-lieads. In
.sedaleness of the houses AVO have noticed the basumunt respectable blocks of gnui-
by a mad orgy of bad architecture in West ile are subjected to the indignity of being
Fifty-fourth Street. Tho scene of this ex- decorated with streaming ribbons in low
cess almost immediately adjoins the dig- relief. I n truth, the only detail of tho
nified and respectable dwelling designed Avork which one can coutemplate even
by Mr. Haight, and almost frights that with tolerance is a grill in the basement
edifice from its propriety, and tho design- doorway Avhich is the siuqilest possible
ers seem lo have been led into it by the trellis of 11*011 i-ods.
baloful example of older iieraons Avho ludecoi'ous and incohei>eut as this edi-
ought lo have known liettcr, and Avho fice unquestionably is, it has yet the au'
committed the maddest freaks iu the ar- of a gcnlleiuan taking his jileasure, albeit
tistic quart.er of the London suburb of in a ix)rvcrso and A'icious fashion, Avhon
Chelsea while in a condition of total iri-o- compm-ed, for example, with the dwell-
sponsibility alike to any convictions and ings in red brick and bi*own stouo at tho
lo ail}' conventions of architectural art. corner of Fifth Avenue aud Sixty-seventh
The present indecorum has been commit- Street, of Avliich a i)lacai*d announces, or
ted in the design of two dwellings Avhicli announced, that Messi's. Lamb and Rich
consist of a ferociously rugge<l basement ui-e the designei's. In these there is no
and pai-apeted cornice in granite, with
two or three irregularly disposctl tin doi*-
iiicrs emerging above, and with a fiat
and shallow screen of brick wall iuscrt-
ed belweun them, as between the upper
and the nether miUstoue, and having its
thinness cinphasized at all
the angles by shallow in-
cisions roriniiig a series of
brick weather strips, os it
were, a square reticula-
tion of which travei*se3
the plane surfaces also.
It is quite conceivable y*^^^
that rugged simplicity
may have suggested itself
to a designer as a desira-
ble character for a city
house, but it seems scarce-
ly possible that squareness
and flatness and thinness
should have appeared de-
sirable, and quite impas-
sible that beauty should
haA'e seemed to dwell in a
building the top and bot-
tom of which Avere char-
acterized by ruggetl sim-
plicity aud tho middle by
.squareness aud flatness
and thinness. The details,
whether iu brick or gran-
ite or tin, are as prepos- i^.*n'i^~-iais,r.—isj>-, *—»=
teroiis as tho <;onceptiou 'v--^^~'r''4 i-~'--'«i .,>—»=»=
of a building with its parts .^> ^ - - :Sr - ^ , •»• ^'J^2l:^ ^ -
thus swearing at each
other. The i-ound-heailcd
DOOUM'.VY AT FIFTH AAKNUE AM) SIXTY-SEVKNTIt STREET.
A'OL. I.XVH.—No. JOO.—30
LAM It AM) lUl'H, AIUIIITKCTS.
 erected iu New York, and it is to
be noted that they are thoi'oughly
characteristic of the period. • Such
a nightmare might ]}crliai)S have
entered the brain of some specu-
lative builder during the Avildcst
A'ulgarity of the brown-stone pe-
riod, but he Avould not have had
the effrontery to build it, being
deteritHlby the consideration t h a t
nobody Avould face iiublic ridi-
cule by conseiitiug lo live in it.
Some speculator is, however, cou-
viiiced'that there is UOAV a market
for a house Avhicli stands uxioii the
street corner aud sci-eeches for
people to come and look al it
Avhen tliere is nothuig in it
AVorth looking a t ; ond AVO must
take shame to ouraelves fi-om t h e
reflection that the speculator m a y
be right iu counting upon this ex-
treme vulgarization of the public
B taste, and that, at any late, there
is no police to prevent the emis-
sion of the screech upon the pub-
lic higliAvay.
This is the result of a demand
for " s o m e t h i n g n e w " upon aniind
incapable of pixiducing anything
good. Tlie Bci-eech is the utter-
ance of the SAveet Singer of Mich-
CLLMPt-E OF COLUMBIA COLLEGE FROM MADISON A V E N U E . igan exhorted not to mind about
C. C. HAIGHT, ARCIUTECT. grammar, but " t o fix her A-ei-ses
to the gauge of the i-ouiul globe."
composition whatever, and the effect is so I t is an extreme instance, to IJC sure, b u t
scattering, and the whole is so fortuitous thci'e are otliera only less discreditable, a n d
an aggregation of unrelated parts, that it only to be dealt Avith in the Avay of Avliat is
is impossible to describe the houses or to called " slashing" criticism, Avhich proba-
remember them AVIIOU one's back is turn- bly never yet served a n y more important
ed. Their fragments only recur to mem- pui^xise than t o ease the critic's mind. I t
ory as the blurred images of 'a hideous is enough to indicate these thuigs, and to
dream. So one i-ecalls theBataA'ian gi'ace point out that they are all proiluced by
of the bulbous gables, the oriel-windows tho strain iu the minds of incomjieteiit
so set as to seem in imminent danger of designers after originality and aborigi-
toppling out, the egg and dart moulding nality — a purpose essentially A'ulgar,
niggled up and down jambs of brick- Avhicli Avould A'itiate the Avork even of a
work connected by flat openings Avitli iii-o- competent designer Avherever it could be
truding key-stones, the whip-lashes cut in detected. F o r although the purauit of
.sjindstone blocks, the decorative detail excellence is sure to residt in novelty,
fi.shed from the slums of the Rococo. the pursuit of novelty is sure not to i-esult
These are not subjects for architectuial m excellence. The extreme instance we
criticism; they call for the intervention have cited is still an instance of a tenden-
of an architectural iiolice. They are cases cy to which all the younger geueiatiou of
of disorderly conduct done in brick and architects, of whom so much Avas hoiied,
brown stone. Hazarclous as the suiierla- aud of Avhom, considering their opportuui-
tivo degree generally is, it is not much of ties, so little of A'alue has come, have moi-o
a hazard to ssvy thnt they are the most or less yielded—the tendency to take them-
thoroughly discreditable buildings OA'or selves too seriouslj' and their art not se-
riously enough, and to imagine that any- the grouping of the opcuings, and not dis-
thing that ocelli's to them is for that rea- turl>ed by the chiniuey-stjicks and the
son good enough to build Avithout asking it oriel and the turret Avhich animate tho
any questioius. Such caricatures of arclii- composition. The later building, of the
tecturo as these houses Avould not occiu' to .same materials, has been built for the li-
the mind of an educated architect; but biary of the college, and tho large hall
when all restraints, rational and academic, which coulauis this is iu effect the build-
are remoA'ed, even educated architects, as ing. Tliis is treated with equal skill, and
we have seen, will not always take the trou- lo the .sjiine I'esull of cloistral i-epose, of
ble to analyze their conceptions before em- harmony and dignity and grace. These
bod^'iiig them iu durable brick and stone. A'igoi'ous and refined works show, if tho
It is from this that it comes that, as we showing Avcre needed, except by the archi-
said awhile ago, the chai'acteristic Avorks tects of the ncAv departure, that vigor does
of tho pi'esent period are distinctly infe-
rior to the characteristic works of the pre- ••-•i^-i->^"'fT-i..^
ceding period. It is not that thoroughly
good huildingsli.ave not been done Avithin
the latter period, but that they are not
characteristic of the period. The build-
ings which appear to have been done by
arehitccfs, and yet fail to stand the tests
oither of sense or of style, d.ate themselves
infallibly as having been done since 1876.
One must resort to external evidence to
ascertain whether the buildings that are
honorable monuments to their architects
Avere done liefove or since Mr. Norman
Shaw did all this mischief.
Fii>st among these one has littlo hesita-
tion in placing the new buildiugs design-
ed by Mr. Haight for Columbia College.
Mr. Haight has not here lieen in pursuit of
novelty, but has been content Avith con-
forming his structure to its function, aud
modelling tho masses thus airived at so as
to heigh ten their inherentexpre.s.sion. Aud
although he has kept within the hmits of
historical English Gothic in doing this, the
result of the process is an individual build-
ing Avith a characteristic expression of its
own, the most successful piece of (Gothic
design that has been done in NOAV York
since Mr. Withera designed the Jefferson
Market Court-house. I n Queen Anne, as
Avo .saw, Mr. Haight's work was not very
distinguishable fi-oin thoAvork of a veiydif-
fercnt arehitect. W i t h a vocabulary lim-
ited to fifty Avoi'd.s, not much can be express-
ed. But when he xiermits himself the u.se
of langu.age, it is seen that Mr. Haight cau
expi*css thoughts. I u coiiipositiou and in FROU KX-liOVERSon TILDEN S HOUSE.
detail these buildings are thoroughly stud- CALVERT A'AUX, ARCHITECT.
ied and thoroughly effective. In the ear-
lier, a street fi>ont of a Avliolo block on Mad- not necessarily iuA'oh'e bowlders, nor re-
ison Avenue, the designer has i-esisletl the Hnciiicnt mici'oscopic inoulding.s, and that
temptation to diversify his building into t h e ^ short-cuts to aixjliitectural efl'ect are
unrest, but has builta wall of tliree stories rather .sorry and shabby substitutes for
in red brick and lijirhl Kaudslone, the broad faithful and skillful.design. That these
and q u i d aspect of which is enhanced by works of Mr. H a i g h t s are grammatically
BAY-WINDOW IN W. K. VANDERBILT S HOUSE, KUTY-SECOND STIUiET.—M. HUNT, ARCIirTECT.
 "correct" Gothic is not, lo our mind,
either a merit or a defect. But it shows
how wide is the range of c.xpre.ssiou po.ssi-
ble in the ai-cliitecture of tho Middle Ages,
and of its pliability to modorn u.ses, that
Avithout a departure from precedent the
needs of au Ainerican college iu tho nine-
teenth century cau be completely answer-
ed ill that architecture; for there is no in-
novation in Mr. Haights work, un-
less Ave include the iron roof, which
is partly visible fi'om the fioor of the r-
hall. There are one or two "sui*-
vivals" of forms AA'hioh have last
their functions, as the unpiereed
pinnacled turrets at the angles of
the libmry building and the crenel-
lated parapet of tlie porch iu the
quadrangle. But upon the whole
tlio result upon Avhicli the college
and its architect are to be congrat-
ulated has been attained by follow-
ing the advice of the sculptor AVIIO
informed his pupil that the art was
not dilficult: " Y o u simply take a
piece of marble and leave out Avhat
you don't want." Mr. Haight has
taken Avhat he wanted iu Gothic
architecture for the uses of Columbia Col-
lege, and with the trivial exceptions we
. have noted has left out the rest. And
what is trim of this AVork is etpially true
of an unpretending and picturesque piece
of late Gothic, erected from Mr. Haight's
designs for S t Thomas's School, in East
Fifty-ninth Street. REAR OF ROOF, HOUSE OF CORNELIUS VANDERBILT,
FH'TH AVENUE.—OEOnOE B. TOST, ARCIHTECT.
Another interesting piece of Gothic
Avork, though this time of distinctly Vic-
torian Gothic, is the house designed by An unusually large variety of coloi-s, and
Mr. Vaux for Governor Tilden, The in- tho.se of the most positiA'e tints that natu-
terest of this, however, is rather in the de- ral stones supply, has hero been cniiiloy-
tail of form and color than in general ed nnd harmonized ; and Avhat is even
composition, since the building is archi- rarer, they haA'o all been used Avith archi-
tcctur.illy only a street front, and since tectural propriety to accentuate the con-
tho slightness of the projections and the struction and to heighten its effect. A n
lack of visible and empliasized depth in ingenious and novel use of dai'k granite,
tho Avail itself giA'e it the apiiearance rtith- Avhich AA'hen polished is almost black, and
er of a .screen than of one face of a build- which is employed in jiarroAV bands pre-
ing, aud the small gables Avhicli surmount cisely Avhere it is Avanted, deserves partic-
it l(X) evidently exist for the sole purpose ular remark. The dccoraliA'e carving
of animating the sky-line. But the color attracts attention chiefly by its profusion,
treatment of this front is admirable, and and by the exquisite crispness and delicacy
recalls the best AVork of tho most success- of its execution. I n lioth these respects
ful colorist in architecture AvhoniAVC have tho only parallel to it is iu the house of
eA'cr had in New York—Mr. W r e y Mould. Mr. AV. K. Vanderbilt, for. as Ave have
It is characteristic that interesting treat- seen, the carving upon tho houses of Mr.
ment of color, like every other proper- W . H. Vanderbilt docs not count. Thnt
ly architectural development, has been this carving counts so fully is the result
stopped short by the new "inovenient." of tne .skill of the architect in fixing its
 gle turret Avfiich, iirotty mid
piquant as it is, diil not grow
out of the design, and to
Avhich the design has uot
beeu adjusted AviUiout a A'is-
ible effort. The decoratiA'e
detail is scai'cely so well ad-
justed to the building in scale
as that in the houso just men-
tioned, or in the house de-
signed for Mr. Coi-nelius
Vanderbilt by Mr. Post, be-
ing jiai'tly lost by its minute-
ness, but ithas the same merit
of being in the right place,
and designed for its place,
and is cut with the same pei-^
fection. Besides the strictly
architectural decoration, the
sculptural decoration, Avhich
iu the work of Mr. Vaux is
confined to medallions that
are not medallions, but de-
tached heads emerging from
the wall, is in this vA'ork car-
ried much f urtlier and done
much better tliaii iu auy oth-
er decorative sculptui'e that
con be seen out-of-doora iu
New York, uuless the figures
on the pedestal of Mi*. St.
Gaudens's statue of Farra-
gut he excepted; and the del-
icacy of tlie execution in such
Avork as, for example, the
procession of chenibic musi-
cians on the corbel of the
oriel is less admirable than
the grace and movement of
DOORWAA' OF GUERNSEY BUILDING, BROADWAY.
IL it. HUNT, ARCHITECT.
the design, and the exquisite
modelling of the surfaces m
v e i y low relief. In a more recent AVork
place and adjusting its scale so that it ev- of Mr. Hunt's, the Guernsey building, iu
eryAvhere assists the architecture, and is loAver Broadway, a street front in distinct-
better in its place than it Avould be in an- l y modern Gothic, there is assuredly uo
other place. eii'or in scale on the side of minuteness,
These things are equally true of the but the treatment, in mass and iu detail, is
equally profuse carving in the house de- marked hy gi>eat xigov and an\jination, and
signed by Mr. Huut for Mr. W . K. Van- the arehitecture of the building is an em-
derbilt, but this, although in a mono- phatic expression of its structure.
chrome of gray limestone, would have a
high architectural interest without the Another commercial building, at tlie
least decoi-ation by force of design alone, corner of Bi*oadway and Wall Street, is
and iu spite of its great richness of detail by the architects of tlie Union League
the impression made by the dis^iosition Club, aud seems to have been designed
aud the modelling of its masses is the under Hie pressure of a recent discovery
chief factor in its effectiveness. The only that that building Avould not do. There
serious drawback to the complete success is no doubt about the discovery; it is only
of the comi>osition has beon AA'rought by a pit3' that it should not liave been made
the architect's desire to inti'oduce an an- from the di-OAvings before they Avere irrev-
 ocably executed. Clear, however, as the
architects were on this point, they Avere
not so clear when they began the United
Bank building what would do, and the
fii*st two stories look like a series of tenta-
tive experiments to find out. They Avere
proving all things, jierhaps, Avith the in-
tention of holding fast that Avhicli was
good. The practice of projecting bowl-
deivs, especially in soft sandstone, has al-
i-eady been mentioned as a somew^hat
slovenly substitute for the ex]>ression of
vigor by modelling. Bowldera are pro-
jected from the piers of this basement in
the most ferocious and blood-curdling
manner—so fei-ocious, indeed, that the ar-
chitects repented them of their bullying
behavior. It is like the fear that came
upon Snug the joiner of the consequences
that would ensue if ladies took him for the
king of beasts: " Another prologue must
tell he is not a lion." And so the archi-
tects seem to have taken the counsel of
Nick Bottom: " Half his face must be seen
through the lion's neck; and he himself
must s^ieak through, saying thus, or to
tho same defect,—^Lodieis, or fair ladies,
I Avould Avish you, or, I Avould request
you, or, I Avould entreat you, not to
fear, not to tremble: my life for yours.
If you think I come hither as a lion, it
Avere pity of my life. No, I am no such -
thing: I am a man as other men are: ;
and there, indeed, let him name his
name; and tell them iilainly he is Snug
the joiner"—that is to say, Messra.
Peabody and Steams, architects. The
"other prologue,-' Avhich is calculated
to re-assure the most timid, is the treat-
ment of the first floor, where not only
the asperities of the sandstone are much
mitigated, but where a disclaimer of any
offensive intention is made iu the in- UNITKU DANK BUILDING.—rEABODY AND STEARNS,
sertion betAveen the openings of paire ARCHITECT.
of banded pilasters, betAveen the capitals trances under them, covered with trefoiled
of Avhich is iusei*ted Uie novel and pleas- gablets in cast iron, are obviously harm-
ing ornament of a key-stone. In order less. It is quite fair to say that up to the
to make sure that they are uot strong top of the firat story there is no design in
enough to do any harm, they are not only the building, nothing that betrays any ev-
designed Avith much feebleness, but they idence of a general intention. But hav-
aro projected from the face of the Avail ing built thus far in futile search of a mo-
they might otherwise be imagined to tive aud of a style, they came upon both,
strengtheu, aud set ui>on a bracket. Be- and built over this aimless and I'estless col-
tween these Renaissance pilasters are lection of inconsistent details a purposeful,
Romanesque entrance arches, in which ixjaceable, and consistent brick building, a
there is a return to truculence of de- series of ^xiAverful piera connected by and
meanor; but these are seen to be noti en- sustaining jiowerful arches, defined by a
trances at all, but only innocent win- light label moulding, and enriched at the
dows of bank parloi<s, aud the real en- springing with a wellKlesigned belt of foli-

"rOST" BUILDING.—OEOROK B. rOST, ARCHITECT.
age. It seems incredible that the authors
of this re.spectable building should be also
tho authoi-s of the basement on which it
stands. At the angle is the ingenious de-
vice of a griffin " displayed," and with one
wing folded back against either wall, to
carry tho metal socket of the flag-staff.
This feature iu all its details is design-
ed with great spirit and picturesqueness.
But the ai'chitectural impulse fails in the
attic story, Avhicli should obviously be here
the richest part of the building, and which
is the baldest, being only a series of rect-
angular holes, Avithout either modelling or
decoration, and without relation in their
grouping to the openings immediately un-
der them.
By far the most successful, howev^er, of
all tlie recent commercial buildings is the
Post building, designed by Mr. Post, and
executed, above the blue-stone basement,
in yellow brick and yelloAV teri'a cotta.
The site is an irregular tetragon at the in-
tersection of three streets, and the court
mode necessary by the depth of Uie plot,
instead of being a well sunk in the middle
of the building, is made a recess in one of
the long sides. Tliis arrangement is not
only piactically convenient, but, like evr
ery arraugfement obviously dictated by
practical convenience, is capable of be-
coming architectuially effective, aud here
becomes so. The openings are admu'ably
well grouped between Uie powerful piers,
and, AA'hat is a rai-e altaiument in "ele\'a-
tor architecture," there is abundant varie-
ty in their treatment, Avithout the look of
restlessness and caprice which generally
attends an effort for variety in a many-
storied building. The detail enhances the
effect of this disposition. It is well ad-
justed to its function and position, no-
Avheie excessive in quantity or in scale,
and nowhere meagi'e, and it is in itself
rich and refined. It is designed in " fi'ee
Renaissance,'* that is to say, tho designer
has undeiiakeu to model the building
faithfully according to its plan and con-
struction in Renaissance architecture, leav-
ing out all that he does not want. Mr.
Haight, as Ave saAv, was able to achieve
that result Avithout transcending the lines
of academic Gothic. Mr. Post has put his
academic Renaissance into the alembic of
analysis, and wliere the analysis has been
complete his Renaissance architecture has
volatilized and disappeared. W e are very
sure that he had no I'eal use for the imita-
tions in terra cotta of pi'otruding key-
stones, for example, and these are almost
the only badges l e h his building of the
style Avitli which he started, except the
caiiitals of the pilasters, and the Ionic
capitals of the v e i y pi'etty shafted ai-cade
which forms the attic. But for these
comparatively trivial incidents of his work
Mr. Post's free Renaissance would have to
he classified as Gothic, if it were I'eally
necessary to classify' it at all except as
good architecture. Mr. Post, in fact, has
done on his OAvn account what the Ro-
manesque buildera did. They too Avere
doing " free classic." They began with
cla&sical Roman ai'chitecture, and steadily
leaving out what they did not Avaut, they
airived at Westminster aud Amiens and
Cktlogne.
It is strange to see so thoroughly studied
a performance as Uiis succeeded by so thoi'^
ouglily unstudied a performance as the
Mills building by the sumo arehitect. But
possibly ten-story buildings which must
be built in a year will not wait for ai-chi-
tects to mature designs which would make
the buildings of interest to students of
 architecture as well as to investors. What-
ever the cause may be, the result is unfor-
tunate, for after the grandiose and some-
Avhat swaggering Roman gateway and the
portcullis which it incloses have beeu tak-
en out, the i-est of the Mills building may
safely be thrown aAvay. Tlie portcullis is
really an interesting piece of iron-work
both in design and iu Avorkmanship, al-
though in both it is distinctly inferior to
such a piece of work as the nondescript
beast in cast iron that performs the hum-
ble office of holding a sign in Cedar
Street, and that might havo been Avrought
in the thirteenth century, so grotesque, so
skillful, so charged with the spirit of ar-
tistic and enjoyed handicraft it is. [See
initial letter.]'
So the new departure is still but a de-
GATEWAY OF MILLS ItUILDING.
parture, and it seems time that such of
the victims of it as are artists Avho take
serious views of their art should ask them-
selves Avhy they continue to Avork in a
style which has never pi-oduced a monu-
ment, and in which it is impossible to dis-
cern any element of progress. In doing
Queen Anne have they done anj'thing-
but follow a fashion set, as fashions in
millinery and tailoring are set, by mere
caprice ? The pi-ofessional journal which
is the organ of the architects in this coun-
try has indeed declared that "architecture
is very much a matter of fashion," and ar-
chitects who take Uiis view of their caUing
Avill of course build in the fashion, as they
dress in the fashion, in spite of their own
knowledge that the fashion is absurd.
But it is impossible to regard an architect
GEORGE B. POST, ARCHITECT.
 who takes this \'iew as otluM' than a Irades-
nian, or to di.scu.ss his worlcs except by tell-
ing what are tho latest modes, in the man-
ner of the fashion nmjjfuziiios. It seems
ini])ossil)le for architect's who t i k e this
A'iew of their art lo lake their art seriously,
anything'- like .so seriou.sly, for example, as
they take their incomes. Bul for architects
who loA'e their .irt and believe iu it, the
point of "departure'' is much less inipor-
tant than the point of arrival, and by such
architects tho historical styles of architect-
nre will be rated accoitling to the help Ihoj'
givo in solving the archileelural iiroblems
of our lime. W e haA'e seen that au ar-
chitect Avho .starts from ReiiaLssance archi-
tecture aud an architect Avho starts from
Gothic architecture, if they faithfully scru-
tinize their precedents, and faithfully dis-
card such as are iiiapplicablo, iu arriving
at free architecture will arrive, so far as
stylo is concerned, at much tho same re-
s u l t If this process of analysis were to be
carried on for a generation, it Avonld bo as
difficult, and as jmrely a matter of speeu-
laliA'e curiosity, to trace the sources of
English and American architecture aa the
sciurcos of the composite and living Eng-
lish language, which is adequate lo every
expression. W e have lieen blaming the
architects for accepting the forms of iiast
FIREPROOF
HOUSES
THE narrow streets of tbe " superb Genoa"
are very striking and picturesque to tho young
Ameiicaa who sees them for tho first time,
especially if, like the Easy Chair, ho sees them
before he Inis become accustomed to the as-
pect of foreign cities. There are streets of
palaces in that city which tho traveller novor
forgets. So in Venico there are tho narrow
ways, so narrow and so still that thoy sooui
almost to steal along between the high houses,
and to be titling avenues of the mj'stcry nnd
crime and romance which arc associatccl with
the city iu the sen.
But iu both those cities the streets arc sun-
less, and there is almost a gloomy shade, Avliich
is welcome ouly in the burning summer
weather. Such shaded Bticots honlth does
not love, aud un iuvalid whose windows open
ouly upon the uusuiiued rays must long for
a glimpso of the bright open sky Avilh tho
yearniug of Austin Dubsoii's ballad of the
thrush in tho cage iipuu the city street:
archileclure without analyzing them.
But., indutKl, if architects had been ana-
lysts, they would generations ago huA'C rec-
ognized iu their work that AVC do live iu
times unknown to the ancients, Avhother
of Athens in the fifth century befiu'c our
ci-a, or of Western Europe iu thu lliir-
teenth century of onr era; that Avithiii the
limits set by fact and reason there is am-
ple room for the exercise of all accom-
plished talents, and A'erge enough for the
expression of all sane temperaments, Avhile
Avithout these limits nothing cau lie done
that Avill .stand the test of fact and reason,
Avliich is the test of time; that "ett'ects"
can not precede causes, and that tho rudest
art Avhich is sincere is living aud in the
Avay to be refined, Avliile the most refined
art that has lost its meaning can never be
made alive. The recognition of these
things would have ])i'eA'entod a vagary like
the frivolities and affectations of tho iieAv
departui>e fi*oin attaining a n y vogue, but
it Avould also have prevented the establish-
ment of any technical styles in modern
building, and in.stead of reproducing " e x -
amples" of one historical style and then of
another, and then of a mixture of two, ar-
chitects Avould be producing and writera
would be discussing Avurks of the great art
of architecture.
" Slag on: what though thou kctit
Ou that dull bar, tby foo !
Soincwliure tbu gruou bouglui uieet
Beyond tbe iiKifs a-row;
Somewhere tbe blue skies show;
Bonicnrhoro no black waIL<i crush
Poor hearts with helpless woe—
Sing ou—sing on, 0 tbrusb I"
It is not, however, of streets, but of houses
that we mean to speak, and of the huge tow-
ering houses which iu New York are begin-
ning to overhang the streets Avith gloom, and
which, as they multiply, Avill injure both the
cheerfulness and the hoalthfulness of tho city.
They are already among the most striking
objects to etraugors. The palaces in the Ital-
ian cities are massive and often iilcturcsque,
but they are seldom very lofty. It is very
hard for the Firc Department to deal with a
firo in the upper port of a building Avhich is
sixty-five or seventy feet in height, but thcro
are more than a huudred in the city which
exceed eighty feet, and already, in 1883, thero
were nine between ono huudred and one hun-
dred and fifty feet, nnd two between one hun-
dred and fifty nnd ofte hundred ond sixty feet.
These nre facts which reveal a wholly new
situation; for tho population of the apart-
ineiit-houses is computed to be not less than
twenty-five thousand, ond tbe S t George,
whose burning, although happily without loss
of life, ]H'oduccd such conRtcrnntion and ap-
prohcnsioD, was aa tire-proof, according to In-
spector Estcrbrook, as hundreds of lliein.
How flrc-proof the St. George was appears
from the fact that a lady returning from mar-
ket saw that the hou.se was on firc, and knew
that her young children Avere upon the sixth
fioor. Sho hurried in at the street door, and
happily found hcr\)iushand and children, Avho
had just descended, having left; their rooms
immediately upon discovering tho fire. But
the husband, iustimtly endeavoring to return
lo his rooms, AVOS stopped by the smoko on
the second floor, ond everything was lost
Yet the fire occurred in tho morning. Had it
taken place nt night, tho tragedy would have
been indescribable. This firo evidently n|>-
prised the community of a new peril. The
papers at once soaudcd the alarm, and de-
manded further legislation to protect human
life.
It is undoubtedly the interest of a man who
hires a flat to ascertain whether it is fire-
proof, but tho safety of tho community and of
human life can not safely be intrusted alto-
gether to the clianco of his nsccrtnining. It
is the interest of passengers upon a ferry-boat
to know Avhcther it is safe. But tho comma-
iiity does not permit them to risk their lives
upon the chanco of knowing, nnd requires
that ofiicial iuspectors, who are responsible
for the discharge of their duty, shall certify
the safety of the boat, and Avithout such a ccr-
tificjitc no such boat may transport passen-
gers. The reason is quite as strong wiUi the
'RARSOM, V T O V SOK** WAKT U B TO CO STARK UAD, SUOT TUB RSOBTCBl'*
npnrtincnt-hoii.se. The risk of life from firo
in it ia very great, and stringent buildiug laws
arc essential to its safety.
We are not nwnrc that the question h.is
ever licen judicially decided, what ia a fire-
proof house. But Inspector Estcrbrook is re-
ported to havegiA'eu a xer^'good definition of
such a house. It is one, he said, in Avhich a
man who lives ujiou the top story Avhen told
that there was a fire iu the lower story Avonld
go to bed as quietly as if tho tire were in the
next town. The community ought certainly
to require any^ man who proposes to build a
houso one hundred and twenty feet high to
accommodate many families—for some of the
bouses have nearly two hundred inhabitants—
to build in a way which is a rcnsonnble guar-
antee of tho safety of human life. There nre
buildings in the city Avhich nre practically
fire-proof, and it is not asking too much to
demand that the huge caravansaries be made
so, even although the cost of building bo in-
creased.
The architects and the builders whoso views
have been elicited by the destruction of the
St. George are of opinion that the Legislature
will move only in response to an emphatic
public opinion. But their own feeling should
assure them of tho existence of such an opin-
ion. Tho court, as the old judge thought,
miffht bo presumed to knoAV some law. A
legislator may be presumed to have some coni-
mon-scn.sc. Aud as the story of the burning
of the S t Gcorgo is now familiar, legislative
action will doubtless he taken, unless, ns the
Inspector says, a holocaust of victims be neces-
sary to produce the law.
 <^£^^^'^

1890s
• The Building of the Modem City
House....1899
• The Equipment of the Modern City
Hou8e...l899
 THE BUILDING OF THE MODERN CITY HOUSE.
BY KUSSBLT. STURGIS.

PART I.
T has always been thought a misfortune
I for London town that so much of its
territory is held by large OAvnei'S thatyom*
house or your cliureh has to be built upon
leasehold proi>erty. If a public square,
famous in history and known to every
Londoner aud every traveller, be the
property of a single magnate, the hotels,
the churches, the dwellings, fronting
upon it will be in a sense his property
too, though they have been built at the
cost and at the orders of othei-s. Sooner
or later the ownei-ship of these buildings
falls i u ; sooner or later the building
Avhich has been erected on another man's
land has to be purchased at a valuation
by ihat uni vei-sal owner of the soil; soon-
er or later the house which you thought
your own must become another's. I t has
alAvays been assumed that this fact takes
away greatly from the interest Avhicli ihe
London householder might feel in his
own dwelling, aud makes him careless as
to its external appearance, and as to its
very arrangement aud interior finish.
That, at least, is one reason commonly
given for the generally low character of
architectural merit in Loudon houses.
 READY-MADE AND HOMFl-M.ADE nOUSES.
I n New York Ave have no such dilli-
cully lo contend wilh; it is rai'e that
houses are built on leasehold property.
And yet it is not the New-Yorker's way
to build his own houso with care and
forethought I t is altogether the rule
for the would-be owner of a house in New
York to buy, ready-built, a house Avliich
has been built Avilh many others iu a row,
and offei'ed him complete for so much
money. Tlie generally low character of
houso arehitecture in New York may be
partly the i-esult of this vicious practice,
foi> there, more than in most other Amer-
ican cities, houses are built for selling and
buying. Even mansions of unusual size
and display, costing perha}}s oue hundred
and twenty or one hundred and fifty
thousand dollai-s with the ground that
they stand upon, are built by a speculator,
aud may be expected to sell i-eadily to
souie millionaire. Many a rich man Avill
be heard lo say that he Avould never take
the trouble to build so long os such well-
arranged and agreeable houses ai*e offered
him for purchase. Tho question is whether
such houses will ever be pi-ojierly 2>lanned
and adequately built.
The plans are sure to be of the normal
and familiar type, and therefore to pass
fairly well the examination of the house-
keeper who has alwaj's lived in a house
of a normal type; yet, since the house
has beeu built at u venture to please the
first accidental comer, n o great refine-
ment of plan cau be expected. Robert
Browniug spoaks of having vainly given
time and pains to turn his poem "Sordel-
l o " i n t o " Avhat the many might—instead
of Avhat the few must—^like." This is ex-
actly what the builder of houses for sale
does; he builds what will fairly Avell suit
any person in scareh of a certain class of
house: he cannot, of coui'se, build Avhat
would exactly suit any one person or a n y
one family, aud that the future owner will
discover.
As it is with the refinement of the plan,
so it is Avitli the quality of tho building.
This is a more serious matter than the
reader can be expected to believe, for the
chances are that he has never tried to drive
!i nail into a properly laid-up brick wall.
How rarely first-rate brick-work is put
into a citj- house may easily be seen, now
that business is invading the residential
quarters of our cilies, aud homes of all
sorts, oven the handsomest, are being lorn
doAvn. A seemingly solid brick pier five
or six feet Avidc, between the jambs of two
windows, will crumble all lo pieces, every
brick falling apart from every other brick
clean and free from mortar—Avhat had
been the mortar fiying up in clouds of
idle dust. Conipai-e such brick-work with
brick-work as it is undei'stood by a goo<l
eiigineei'—wilh brick-Avork such as the
government buildei'S put into the inner
linings and passages of their sea-const
furtrfications; Avith brick-Avork such as the
successive superintendents of the ill-
stari-ed Albany Capitol built into its lower
stories; and with brick-work such as is
put iuto a good private house, designeil by
an architect and built by a firat-iate ma-
son to wh,om an adequale price is paid.
A brick wall, as such buildere underaland
it, is a massive unit. I t is composed, in-
deed, of separate parallelopipedons of
baked clay, Avilh thiu layers of adhesive
substance uniting them; but the result is
a compact mass which will ring under the
hammer like a slab of Imi'd stone, and
Avhich, if thi*owii down, Avould strike the
ground iu oue piece, aud break ocross u
brick more readily than at oue of the
joints. • Such a wall, if laid up to carry
beams, Avill take the* under side of each
oue of these beams solidly and true. Such
a wall Avill contain flues as smooth and
accurate as the external face, even if the
flue be not itself a piece of earthen-ware
pipe. Such brick-work as that should
mark the standard to which all building
should be required to conform. The dif-
ficulty is that the fashion has been set of
such very inferior Avork that it Avould be
impracticable in one generation to foi'ce
builder and employer alike to recognize
its necessity. Such brick-work costs
somewhat moi-e per cubic foot than slight
and inferior Avork, but not much more;
and the percentage of cost is really in-
considerable when compared Avith the
vast superiority given to the Avhole build-
i n g as to comfort, safety, and healUiful-
ne.ss. If the owner but knew, he would
not rest easy in such a house as he owns.
If the would-be buyer could but see, he
would not be slow to judge and to reject.
P l a n n i n g he may partly judge of, though
not altogether, as he is presumably no ex-
pert in such matters; but of building he
can foi'iii no idea whatever.
The most imporlant lesson for Uie resi-
dent of our cities is that, if possible, he
should build his own house.
 TUB AMERICAN CITY HOUSE.
By a city house is usually meant oue
that faces on a single sti*eet, or, at most,
as in tho case of the corner house, upon
two, and has Avindows upon the street
and upon its back yard, aud nowhere
else. A hou.se with Avindows on all four
sides, and therefore Avilh some grounds
of its own, is to be considered a suburban
house or a country house.
The large houses of Charleston, and, to
a lesser degree, of Savannah, have, in-
deed, very commonly, Avindows on four
sides. Sometimes these houses are ar-
ranged in pairs—"semi-detached,"as Uie
English phrase is. Either arrangement
comes of having enough land to set the
house iu its own garden. In New Or-
leans the type of the very large house
may be considered that with a central
court-yard, or patio—a plan that hardly
obtains elsewhere iu the United States.
In residential quarters of the smaller
Northern cities hon.ses .standing free in
their own grounds, and in this respect
not unlike those in Savannah and in
Charleston, are abundant. But in the
greater cities it is surprising how little
rcsrard has been paid lo that comfort and
case and to that splendor Avhich come of
ornamental grounds, even if small. I u
almost every quarter of Paris there are
exquisite gardens whose ancient ti-ees
look over high walls. T h e . very firat
idea of sumptuous lay-out to a Parisian
is that he shall drive through a gateway
into a paved court, and that the whole
rear of his houso shall look upon an en-
closed place with fioWei's, shrubbery, and
trees of considerable size. These houses
may, indeed, like ours, be built in between
others of a similar character, so that they
have Aviudows on two fronts alone, but
they are radically different in that they
are less deep from front to back than they
are wide frem blind side-wall to side-
wall. I t is a marvel that the multi-mill-
ionaires of New York and Chicago have
uot cared to build such mansions.
Tho typical American city house has
long been built upon a single slice of
ground, eighteen, twenty, tAventy-five,
thirty, or forty feet wide. I t is built close
up to the street-line, or, iu some cases,
wilh a very few feet of reservation in
front, and is apt to cover more than half
the lot in depth. The demand for more
room on the drawing-room fioor is apt
to be so ffreat that an extension will be
built out into the back yard, leaving lit-
tle open space either at the side of the
extension or at tho oxtrcmo end; and this
extension may rise through two or three
stories, or even lo the height of the main
house. The result of this is that there is
insuflicient light for the rear Avindows,
and ihat he is fortunate who can secure a
corner house. He indeed may be though t
fortunate Avho has .a view through to the
next street because of the presence thci'e
of some church or similar building Avith
u little laud around it, or because the
neighboring land-owner is holding the
land for a rise; but Uiis advantage adds
light to the rear windows only, and the
middle of the house still receives bor-
rowed light.
THE HIGH STOOP OF GOTHAM.
One would think that a n y household-
er in a great and busUing city would have
appreciated the necessity of having the
rooms used for the daily needs of his
family, together with those used for the
receiving of guests—and in this way for
the elegancies of life—tolerably well re-
moved from the main door of entrance.
The resident of London entei's his house
by means of a porch or door-step raised
but little aliove the sidewalk; his draw-
ing-rooms are in the story above. New
York has not felt the need of this ar-
rangement unUl our own time, aud it
may be said that the other close-built and
crowded ciUes of the country have not
been much in advance of it. As the town
grew into a city, the New-Yorker raised
his d r a w i n g - r o o m s higher and higher
above the level of the street, but raised
his front door with them. Gotham is
responsible for the anomaly of the high-
stoop house, and has clung to it for sev-
enty yeare. I t never existed iu a n y previ-
ous epoch, and did uot exist fifty years
ago in a n y other city of the known
world; but when New York, the Av^ealthi-
est and largest city on the continent,
adopted this abnormal type as its own,
other cities, even strongly individual and
strongly differentiated Boston, took it
over, aud made their houses to corre-
spond very closely to the New York pi'o-
toty])e. There have, indeed, been a few
English-basement houses during the past
three-quartei'S of a century, and about
1870 the French-basement type Avas in-
ti*oduced; but these systems of plan had
so little success that they would hardly
 FIG. II. FIG. IU.

THE PLANS OF OUR AXCESTOBS.

FIBT. I. Flrat Itedrt^om Story of the Now York bouse of 1800. F I c IT. Prliioipnl story <if the New York hoiwe
nf 1800, iIeveIo|>erl fruiu that of 1850 by throwinc two imrlors Into one and adding tlie tea-room, or libi-ary,
which soon heciinie ii dinlnR.room. Flu. III. Philadelphia bouse before the War. Fie. IV. New York buuse
of 1870, on n lot uot less than tweuiy-uiie nud a half feet wide.

bo worthy of mention, except in a thor- by wealthy men employing distinguished

ough historical study of house-planning architects, was immediately approved by
in America. the more intelligent plannei-s of new
buildings. The " American-basenieut
THE AMERICAN BASEMENT. house " is now the prevalent style.
The flank of the high-stoop position
was turned by some architects Avlio Avere THE PLANS OF OUR ANCESTORS.
emjiloyed by rich men to alter, to enlarge, In planning Uie stories of houses built
to decorate and glorify old houses. They in city blocks the foAV possible arrange-
ingeniously transported the entrauce-door ments are somewhat obvious. Yet the
and vestibule f I'om the parlor story to the planning may be revised, and where ev-
basement, and left the stairs to the draw- ery inch is of consequence ii is Avorthy
ing-room to be climbe<l within-doors in- of much study and patient thought.
stead of outside in the open. A house iu There is much £o be said for the famil-
Lexington Avenue, a house in Gramerey iar plaus of our ancestors. Let Fig. I. be
Park, one here and one there, but usually the second story of a New York house of
a lai'ge and rather sumptuous mansion, 1860 or thereabout. F o r the purposes of
Avero altered in this most desirable way. a moderate - sized family it is very Imi'd
The next step Avas taken soinewhere to improve upon that disposition. Two
about the year 1885, when new houses of large bedrooms, one small room, which
importance Avere built on the same plan. m a y be a " hall bedroom " or a dressing-
The principal entrance, Avhich in the al- room or a sewing-room, and a balli-i*oom—•
tered houses was somelimes sunk to the that, with a passage between the large
level or lielow the level of the sidewalk, bedi'ooms giving a draught of air and
Avas now put where it should be. Theo- affording an excellent chance for closets
retically one entered the house without Avith shelves and with hooks for hanging
ascending at all; but as rain-Avater must up garments — that is the plan Avhich
be kept out, aud as the ground-floor must really fills most of the requirements. Tc
not only be, but seem to be, secure from throw the whole front into one large
floods in the lime of melting snow, a door- room, as is often done, is only admissible
sill Avas put in, seven or seven and a half Avhere the family is very small. I t is
inches high, upon Avhich the visitor singular how much a house seems to be
stepped before Avalking into the vestibule. crowded by this change.
This type of house, having been taken up The principal floor Avhich accompanies
 such a bedroom floor ns the above Avas, exactly the same width. This an-ange-
of course, generally of the old high-stoop ment left the butler's pantry a t the end
jilan, at least in New York. One such of the staircase hall, and allowed this im-
plan is given in Fig. I I . This plan un- jiortaut room to havo a good window.
derwent several minor changes. About All these Avere modifications of the high-
lS-10, and before, the forl3'-foot stretch of sloop house.
drawing-rooms Avas divided by a partition
with folding-dcol's, and as these doors THE REASON FOR THE HIGH-5T00P HOUSE.
swung open and occupied space in the The high-stoop house remained so long
length of the rooms, a kind of closet was in vogue for a reason that is interesting
arranged behind each door, so that the historically. I t is a reminisceuce, a con-
two halves of the drawing-I'ooni wei'e tinuation in popular use in our cities of
divided by more than a mere partition- the simple house built on the lines of the
wall. This was a common arraugement country house in old country-village-like
in Philadelphia, at least as regards the Butch Now Amsterdam and British New
two parlors, for in that case the dining- York.
room in the rear Avas not commqn, and Tliere is a marked difference between
the back parlor Avas often used as a din- the plans of a country house and a city
ing-room. In this usual and really very house. In the country it is customary
convenient plan (Fig. III.), itiuu.st be re- all over the Avorld, whenever violence is
membered that the back building played a not to be feared, to put the principal
great part. The dining-room was .some- rooms in the ground-story—that is to say,
times in this extension, aud tho I'oonis in the story raised not more than a couple
used for kitchen aud laundry and their of feet above the level of the ground.
appurlenances were always there. Fi'om French chateaux of the less pretentious
1850 ou, the folding-dooi's were
replaced by sliding-doors, and
Uie closets disappeared. This
was the type adopted in Boston,
New York, and Philadelphia in
some handsome houses much
earlier than 1855, as, for in-
slauce, iu those fronting on
Washington Square in New
York, and tlio.se in Clinton
Place, Brevoort Place, etc.; but
the almost universal acceptance
of the type might be put down
as of 1850. From 18G0 on, Uie
sliding-dooi'S also tended to dis-
appear, and the two parloi's ap-
peared as oue long drawing-
room, sometimes Avith a screen
of plaster columus, or, iu less
expensive houses, a transom
overhead boxed down \vitli hol-
low wood-Avork and ornamental
plastering, Avhich seemed to di-
vide the long room into two.
As early as 1870 this plan Avas
modified as shown in Fig. I V .
The dining-room Avas turned in
the house so as to be a contin-
uation of the parlor, and there
resulted then a house Avith apar-
lor diminished iu length from
FIG. XX. PIG. VII.
forty to thirty or even twenty-
eight feet, and a dining-room of A onnibiiiat.ion of the higli stoop and the American hafieinent. {u
nearly the same length and of nFlir. New Vork IIOUSH built to aunuiiiinodme the library of a scholar.
V. Is the prioolpnl story, Fig. YI. the basement btory, and l i g .
A'11, the second story.

FIO. v n i . FIG. I X .
An early American basement (IPftl) In a S5-foot
bouse. Fljf. VIII. Entrance-floor. F\K. IX. Fiiuolpal
floor.
type, English country houses, both large
and small, Gennaii Landlmuser, and
even, in spite of long tradition, Italian
villas of the present day, are planned iu
this way. I t is true thot exceptions oc-
c u r ; in England as Avell as iu France
drawing-rooms are sometimes on the up-
per floor; but it still remains the rule to
place all the rooms for family life and
for entertainment on the ground-fioor.
In cities the reverse is the case. In Eng-
land it is everywhei*e assumed that the
rooms of ceremony should be at the head
of the fii'st flight of stairs, and not near
the front door, nor on the same'flool* with
it. In the Continental cities of Europe
thero are no private houses except private
hotels of sumptuous appointment. The
private house, in the English and Amer-
ican sense, is so rare that it m a y be said
not to exist in the well-built portions of
large cities. Tlie family of moderate
means on tho Continent of Europe lives,
of course, in a city " flat,"or in a country
house with windows on all sides.
The reason w h y English city houses
have their rooms of elegance and enter-
tainment out of the way of the street
door is, one Avould think, obvious. I t is
the natural desire for retirement and pri-
vacy. The reason why American house-
owners in the Colonial times built with
their drawing-rooms beside the street door
is obvious too: it is that the towns were
for a long time open and free, not ci"owd-
cd, not stately or cityliko in lay-out. The
reason Avhy this plau took strong hold
and remained in fashion until a recent
day in New York is, of course, the com-
parative rarity of trained servants, and,
one might say, of trained mistresses of
the household as Avell. To say good-by to
your visitor at the di-awing-rooni door and
to leave him to uiake a jouruey through
a hall and down a long stairea.se and out
at the front door has been difiScult for the
American housewife, in view of the fact
that she has had to trust that visitor to
an uninstructed servant Avithout tradi-
tions and Avithout the acquired habit of
seeing the visitor out, or else to trust him
to his own devices and to his own inge-
nuity in t u r n i n g the right door-knobs
and uot bolting himself iu the more firm-
ly the longer he works. No doubt the
same difficulty still exists to a certain ex-
tent in our half-formed community, but
that it is partly disappearing is evident
from the rapid increase in the number of
Americau-basement houses. That houses
of this latter plan are the more agreeable
ones, whether for residence or for enter-
tainment, need hardly be urged. Every
one can I'eniember the disagreeables of
living, of receiving, and of being received,
in hou.ses of which the entrance-door Avas
opposite the drawing-room door. Every
one can remember the annoyance of hav-
ing tho principal rooms used by the fam-
ily overlooked, in a sense, by any casual
bearer of a message who might be wait-
ing in the passage. Evei-y one can re-
member his own forlorn enti-ance Avith
dripping umbrella and turned-up trousei's
iuto a hall already filled with guests over-
flowing from the dra.wing-room on one
side and the dining-room on the other.
FIG. X. FIO XI.
A modem adaption of Pips. VIII. and IX. for a SO.
fool li»t. FIK. X. Principal story. Fig. XI. First bed-
room story.
A COMBINATION OF TIIE HIGH STOOP AND
Till-: FRENCH IJASE.\II:NT.
It may be well lo give one instance, a
vei'V good ono. of a lion.se which combines
tho advanlagos of tho hi;^li sloop and the
French hafieineiil. This (Figs. V., VI.,
VII.) is a house erected in New York by
Me.ssrs. B i u n n e r a n d T r y o n foroccupation
by a profes-sor of Columbia Univei-silj'.
ami it is worthy of special notice because,
being built on H Iwenly-Hve-foot lot, it
gives all that a scholar and the possessor of
an imporlant library requires in addition
to the usual accommodalioii for a family.
There are ten risers between the level of
the sidewalk and the level of the first
floor — that is to say, the fii'st story is
raised at least six feet above the side-
Avalk. The reader may, if be is interest-
ctl in such matters, notice Uie ingenuitj'
shown in giving lo the vestibule a suffi-
cient landing outside of the inner doora.

TIIE EXTERIOR OF FIGUUES XII. ANn XIII.

Avhile still the outer or night doors have

KsmMU'Row^.
FIG. XIII.
FIO. XII.
All Ainerlctm Imsement on a SSJ-foot lot of (rreat
depth, showliig tho notable deveUipment of a square
hall ill the nihldle of the house. Fip. XII. Entnnioe-
floor. Fit'. Xril. Principal flo..r.
room to swing back against the Avail,
where they remain during the day, leav-
ing only the glazed "storm-doors" clo.sed.
Fig. V . shows the fii'st floor. It will be
noticed how the dining-i'oom is widened
at the expense of the hall in such a way
as to leave but a nari'ow corridor leading
lo the library, which corridor, however,
is amply sufficient for the requirements
of the situation. This library is very
high, seventeon or eighteen feet, with a
g.allei'3' to enable the student lo reach the
second tier of cases, and it has small Avin-
dows high in the wsill above the great
 those shown in Fig. I., except that, being
inoro spacious, they aft'ord more room for
a AA'ash-sland, making of each separate
compartment a sufficient dressing-room.
AN EARLY AMERICAN BASEMENT.
Architects who plan according to an
intelligent sense of the needs of culU-
vated families have alAA'ays felt the su-
periority of relegating the un trance-door
to the story below the principal rooms.
Fig. V I I I . is the ground-story, and Fig.
I X . the story next above, of a twenty-
five-foot house which Avas jilanned in
this manner more than thirty years ago.
I t was worked out between the person
pi'oposing lo build and an architect of
radical tendencies. It gives au ideal ar-
rangement for a family of niodei'ate size
who desire, above all things, quiet even-
ings. Tho front room on the gi'ound-floor
is what Ave call a reception-room, the
" p a r l o r " above is the sitting-room and
library in one. Evidently an influence
akin to the English preference for quiet
and privacy was at work hei'e, as there
is no other room entitled " p a r l o r , " and

THE EXTERIOR OP FIGURES XIV.

AND XV.
flreplace, as well as ono of normal size nnd
situation looking into the court. This
large room has also a skylight to difi'use
light over all the cases. As may be sup-
posed, the window looking on the court
is especially arranged for the scholar's
work-table. Beneath this library there is
a large book-room in tho basement story,
Fig. VI., which iu this house, as in a
high-stoop houso, is not tho story of en-
ti'aiice. A stairease shown in Fig. V I .
leads down to this book-room, which is,
indeed, a place for all that subsidiary
work and for that as yet unshaped ma-
terial of the student which are hardly
presenluble in the library proper. Iu
Fig. VII., tho second story plan of this
FIG. XI\', FIG. XV.
house, there is a family sitting-room iu
front and a bedroom in the roar. The PIniined with » hirne and lofty mom for iniiKliwI eii-
tertaliimeiiis. Fig. XlA'. Enirunce-floor. Fig. XV.
closets between are iu every Avay like Prlnoipnl Koor.
 nodrawing-i'oom. Thesei'A'ants'staircase,
carried from cellar lo attic, is a cuiiveii-
ience which onr American city houses
should possess more often than they do.
It is worth an effort and somo sacri-
fice lo get the .servants' staircase iuto
working order. A dumb-Availer going
from cellar to attic makes this slaircase
less essential, but is a fire-trap, and, ac-
cording to the present law, niu.st be
built with special precautions. The
modern electric elevator, as adapted to
the private house, was not known when
this plan was made. In this plan ihe
main staircase has the unusual arrange-
ment—an ariangement which Avill be ob-
jected lo b}' many—of being built in be-
tween walls for the whole ascent to the
principal story. This Avas so arranged
partly on account of the good disposition
possible for the toilet-rooms, which by this
arrangement could be lighted by plate-
glass lights in the floor of the hall above,
and partly by a feeling shared by owner
and arehitect that a stairease between two

THE EXTERIOR OF FIGURES XVI. AND XVII.

walls AVOS not a disagreeable thing. If

FIG. XVI. FIG. XVII.
Planned for a physician, with the «'iilrnnce-noor
i;iven up to sl.utly mid pr<>f»»ssioiial iKXMipaiionii. FIK.
XA'I. Eiiinuice-fioor. Flir. XVII. Piiiicl|iiil .itory.
the staircase be wide enough, it Avas rea-
soned, it is good to go u p between two
solid walls, especially for the stall's of the
first story. The effect is stately, and Uie
stairs may be of stone without great cost.
The arraugement Avould be objected to
by many OAvnere nowadays, who Avould,
for the sake of having an open hall
around the staircase, do away Avilh the
toilet-rooms on that floor altogether, or
croAvd them into in.sufiicient corners. In
the principal story the hall is wholly
open, and it was intended that Uie prin-
cipal stall's should be carried up lo the
lop of the house. It would be ea.sy to
avoid souie expense by slopping these
stall's at the next floor above the princi-
pal story. It was intended that the li-
brary should be the family sitting-room,
aud that in this and in the dining-rooin.
 I n this way the story above is kept free
for the family and for Lho.se persons Avho
are received into their intiinac^', and kept
fi'ee also for entertainment, Avliicb in so
small a house must be limited as to the
number of guests. The superiority in
comfort, aud in the feeling of quiet, aud
of a certain removal from the sti'eet noise,
ihe street mud, and the street annoyances,
which the placing of the principal rooms
involves, seems as obvious lo the student
as it is found to be in practice. The
strange thing about it all is that for so
many years the great Eastern cities have
gone on with the high-stoop house in its
different varieties, spending untold sums
of money on cut-stone stoops aud on half-
sunk areas faced everywhere with cut
stone, all of which is avoidetl by the other
scheme, Avhile the result, both within and
without, has been the I'evei'se of stately,
the i'evei'se of dignified, and generally de-
structive of external beauty.
An enlargement of this scheme for a
twenty-two-foot lot of great depth is
shown iu Fig. X I I . This is the greund-
FIO. x v m . floor of a house by Messrs. F r a n k Miles
Day and Brother. In this the reception-
An orielnal treatment of tbe Ameiloan basement,
Baaoment stories. room plays the same part as in the plan
Fig. V I I I . , and in the corresponding
ground-story of the smaller house given
with some additional space.giveij.-by Uie in Figs. X. and X I . Buck of this recep-
arrangement of the hall between the two, tion-room is one of those square halls,
the common life of the family should be made as large as the width of the lot al-
led. The library ceiling is divided by
two heavy girdera, nnd it AVOS intended
to hang a curtain beneath that one of
them which is neai'est to the door, thus
separating ou occasion the inner part,
fourteen by sixteen feet, from that which
would then form a lobby.
MODERN AMERICAN BASEMENTS.
Fig. X. shows a modification of this
plau for a tAventy-foot hou.se, which mod-
ification was made consciously in the
year 1896. I n this case the toilet-room
has disappeared, except for a very small
closet witli a Avash-basin in it in the rear
of the slaircase hall. The plan otherwise
will be found to agree very closely with
the larger and earlier plan. Fig. X.
shows tho principal story and Fig. X I .
the thii'd story of the .same honse. In
both of these schemes Uie same general
ideji prevails, namely, tlmt the gi'ound-
floor reception-wom or " p a r l o r " should FIU. XIX. FIG. XX
serve for formal CJII lei's and for persons
I'rin«-i|>ii1 ^torr IIIMI first bctlrooiii sttiry of tbe left-
visiting tho house ou mallei's of business. Iiiiiid house ill FIK XVIM.

lows, which, since
1880, have been so
very fashionable.
.iVscending a few
slops in tho rear of
this square hall, wilh
its fireplace and bay-
window, one entei's a
passage leading to
the dining-room, and
the whole house is
found 1« prolong it-
self to about one hun-
dred and sixteen feet
of clear depth, or
length. Ascending
the main staircase,
which begins with
the flvo steps leading
from the square hall
lo the upper passage,
one reaches the land-
ing of the (irincipal
story, Fi<r. X I I I . Tho
peculiarities of this story are
that a library occupies the
greater jiart of tho rear exleii-
.sion, while Ihe front room is
left free lo form a very large
drawing-room, if that should
be desired. This Avould make
a really noble room for a nar-
i-ow city lot, more than twenty
feet ill clear width and forty-
two feet long. The plan
shows great reflnenienl, great
though If illness, and inlelli-
gont adaptation in every part.
THE SQUARE HALL IX CITY
HOUSES.
At the same time there is
exception lo be taken to this
coinnion invasion of the small
city hou.se by that .square hall
of which mention has been
made. Popular as it has
been during the lasl flf-
leeii years, it is open to
the serious objection
that a very large jiart of I
the cubic contents of the
house- is given up to a
room which cannot be
private because it is a
thoroughfare, Avhich is
hard lo furnish properly
aud comfortably for the
same reason, which is
hard to warm.aud which
is still much more than
is required for the pur-
poses of a passageway.
The true doctrine is,
prolxibly. that the city
house should litiA-e its
rooms as large as prac-
ticable and its corri-
dors as narrow as prac-
TYPES OF MODERN UOVSES IN N E W VORK.
ticible; the true doc-
trine is that the corridoi-s and stair-
case, halls and passages, should be not
larger than it is found essential lo make
them for the moving in and out of
pieces of furniture. If they are lar^e
enough for thsit, they are large enough
for all other practical purposes, and for
elegance as well as for comfort; the
rooms themselves should receive all the
available space. These rooms, capable of
having doors Avhicli can be left open or
kept shut at will, not liable lo bo made to
serve as thoroughfares, each one more or
less independent of the others — these
rooms are what should I'CceiA'e the best
work of the decorator, and it is they
which should contain the furniture and
the works of art which the inenibei*s of
the family caro for. It is no doubt an
admirable thing to have a great hall, or
even a long and lighted corridor, in
which may stand the cabinets, the cai'ved
chests, and the supplementary bookcases,
which have not so appropriate a place in
any room; but such halls and such cor-
ridors are the essential glory of the large
country house, and tho fact must be ad-
mitted thai a city house built upon a
twenty-two-foot lot, and Avith windows in
front on the street aud in the rear on the
back yard, and nowhere else, does not al-
low of such opportun ities for display. The
house shown in Figs. V. and V I . com-
pares advantageously in its economy of
space in hall and staircase with ihe
house shown in Figs. X I I . and X I I I . ;
for everything yields to spacious liviiig-
Tooms.
PLANS SPECIALLY ADAPTED TO THE
OWNER'S REQUIREMENTS.
Fig. XIV., in many ways an unusual
plan, oirera a remarkably successful ex-
ample of a special purpose thoroughly
carried out. I t was desired to provide in a
twenty-flve-foot house with inde])endent
walls one very large and lofty room for
musical enlertainincnts, aud still to ac-
cominodale a small family comfortably.
Tho design is by Messi's. HoAvard and
Cauldwell. Fig. X I V . is the gi-ound-floor
of this house. Tho central hall, to which
objection has beeu made, exists indeed,
bnt it is diminished to Avliat seems al-
most a thwartwise passage, out of which,
however, the stall's go up in a vory stale-
ly fashion, reaching a landing aboA'e
which has certainly all the conditions of
great elegance. The upper stor^'. Fig.
XV., shows this landing, from Avliich ac-
cess is had to the diniiig-rooin in the rear
aud lo the music-room iu tho front. This
fine room, twenty-two feet Avide and foi'-
ly feel long in the clear, and three feet
six inches hiirhcr than the other rooms in
this story, such as the dining-i'ooin, with
two great Aviudows on the front, a small
one opjiosite them on a court, aud a very
large doorway opening on the landing,
which it^ielf has a Avindow—this room is
Avell Avorth the sacrifice of something. It
cannot be .said, however, that any serious
loss of comfort or elegance elsewhere in
the honse is easy to poiut out. This set
of roon:^s ou the principal floor couipleles
ihe accommod.ations for family life and
for society. There are but few bedrooms,
but this is because more Avere not needed.
The scheme is full of interest, and has
Iteen worked out in minute detail with
admirable results.
Fig. X V I . shows the gi'ound-floor and
Fig. X V I I . the principal story of a house
iu West Fifty-fourUi Street, NCAV York,
built upon a twenty-flve-foot lot by
Messra. Heins and L a Farge. The re-
qnireinents of the owner, a physician, in-
A'olvcd a somewhat unusual plan, the
ground-floor being practically abandoned
to study and professional occupations.
There is nothing in the rooms or their
arrangement to make this story other
than agreeable for family' use, but it is
specially arranged for a physician in
large practice. The story above, devoted
to the living-rooms of the family, is I'e-
markably simple, haA'iiig only a few, aud
those very large and open npartments.
The parlor and the dining-i'oom are sep-
arated by a large open hall, Avhich to
many pei-sons Avould seem objectionable,
for the reasons given with regard to the
square hall in Fig. X I I . To the xireaent
Avriter it seems that the house would be
more agfreeable Aviih ihat hall divided
into the stairease itself, made as small as;
practicable, and a room connectiug the
parlor Avilli the dining-room. I t is, how-
ever, quite well knoAVii that this, though
always preferred in Euglish cities, is con-
sidered contracted by many Americans,
who prefer the more open arrangement
of a houso even at the cost of some loss
of retirement. Such hou.ses, intended for
professional men, may also be arranged
with two sepantte entiances, one for
guests of the family and one for business
vi.sitors, but always ou the understanding
that the kitchen entrance is by means of jection of the bay- window is six feet,
a front area and a pas.sage through tho and if the houso were built out lo the
sub-ba.sement, or by means of an alley. street-line, Avilli the bay-window project-
ing into the space genei-ally allowed for
BACK ALLEYS. areas and stoops, there Avould be a back
This scheme of a back alley has never yaitl of twenty-eight feet left out of a
been adopted in New York. It is known hundred-foot lot. The house in ques-
in Boston, and is not uncommon in Phila- tion is peculiar in two ways: fii'st, it is
delphia. The advantages of the plau are set back many feet from the street-line;
obvious, but it is urged that a city or a and, in the second place, a twenty-foot
quarter so arranged is more dilficult to passageway is reserved between it and the
police. As for the space required,if the house nearest on the left. This passage-
passageways and front entrances with AVay allows of windoAvs in the gable wall,
iheir approaches be I'eckoued u p for all aiid,Avliatis more important asinfiuencing
Uie houses in a block, it will perhaps be the general plan of the house, it serves
found that au alley through the centre of the purpose of the back alley described
the block Avould be a saving. Ou the above by giving access lo the kitchen
other hand, the arrangement which has without the necessity of a servants' door
been made in some iiarts of London, by in the front. This house is built on a
\*hich all the ground in the heart of the thirty-foot lot, but, so far as this ground-
block, upon which the back windows look, story is concerned, a similar plan could
is turned into one
continuous garden—
the adoption of this
admirable scheme
would bar out the
back alley, as also
our American system
of doing the family
washing in the house.
London has its wash-
ing, and therefore its
dryiiig,doue far awoy
in the country, out
of the reach of the
"blacks."
AN ORIGINAL TREAT-
MENT OF THE
AMERICAN BASEMENT.
An instance of the
high development of
ihe Amcricuu - base-
ment plan is to be
seen in Fig. X V I I L ,
in which is shown the
ground-story of two
hou.ses built side by
side by Messra. Babb,
CJook, and Willard.
Our special interest
is with the house on
Uie left hand, the
shorter house of the
two, which measures
in extreme length,
including the bay-
window, soventy-
eight feet outside of
the walls. The pro-
AMERICAN BASEMENT HOC-^ES BUILT AS COMPANIONS.
Cliiilim nnd Hussrll, «rcliiti«l«.

AMERICAN BASEMENTS WITH DETAILS IN THE COLONIAL STYLE. fgg^J„g. ^ f jjjg p ] a n .
McKim, Mcntl, and White, archlUcta.
be used for a much narrower lot Avithout
much serious alteration.
The house adjoining on the right was
limited iu its plan in a still more unusual
way. The large open place in front, be-
tween this house and its next adjoining
neighbor, was reserved by previous agree-
ment of the lot-ownei's. The extremely
ingenious and agreeable cnti'ance to this
house, the poreli and its columns mask-
ing, ns it were, the open grating through
which acee.ss is given lo the kitchen de-
partment, is well Avoi'thy of atlcnUon;
but it does not oflen happen that sucli
conditions exist in city houses. The oth-
er liou.se, that to the left, is the one which
concerns us more nearh'. Fig. X I X .
gives the principal story. This story is
much more modified than was the base-
ment by the position of that very laud-
able feature the possible
side-light on the twenty-
foot alley. I t is used for
one room only, but tht
library Avould be a very
different thing Avithout the
little bay-window, which
prejecls three feet beyond
the line of the wall. Still,
the plan might exist on
its pi'esent lines, and even
be thought a good and
satisfactory one, Avithout
this side-light. W e are
so accustomed to middle
i*ooms,which are lighted by
borrowed light, and which
are of ihe most use in the
evening, that it would not
startle a n y one to see this
plan carried ont Avithout
the side window, as it
would have to be if an-
other house adjoined this
one on ihe left hand. Fig.
X X . is i h e principal bed-
reoiii floor, and is also
very interesting to the stu-
dent of careful planning.
For it is to be observed
that this house is full of
delicate refinements in the
woy cf provision for every
possible requirement, and
also of what might almost
be called arlisUc touches in
ihe manipulation and per-
GOOD BUILDING WITH JIODERN MATERIAIS
In the modern houses Figs. V . - X X
the partitions are pi-obably of inconi-
bustible material so far as their mere
construction goes—that is to say, they
are made of blocks of porous terra-colta,
or of cement, or of plaster spread upon
and keyed into wire lath secured to slen-
der iron uprights, or in some such way
are built without the use of Avood. Their
external fittings, their baseboards, door-
trims, and dooi-s, i*emain of courae as
wooden and as combustible as ever. I t
is to be expected that the use of fire-proof
materials will tend to simplify our house
plans, and to do away Avith such little
delicacies of arrangement as one sees in
ihe partition between the dining-room
aud butler's pantry. Fig. X I X . , to effect
Avhich the carpenter has only to saw off
his studs to measure, aud knock in his
nails at head and foot. These consider-
ations lead the thought to the essential
matter of good buildiug under the new
circumstances. W e abandon the familiar
carpenter-work of the post It will; be
doubly dilficult to secm'e suflicienUy good
materials and workmanship, sufficient so-
lidity aud suiScient permanence.
Fi'om the Colonial period until the
present day nine-tenths of American
house-building is the carpenter^s doing;
the carpenter calls on the mason for his
small contribution to the structure, just
as he calls on the slater for the final
touch to the roof. Even in some of our
cities only the outer and principal walls
are of ipasonry, and everything within
the outer walls is of wood, at least in its
construction. This way of building is a
relic of the exclusive use of carpenter-
work natural tp a new country with
abundant forests, and was chai'acteristic
everywhere of American building in the
old time. Wlien Chica|fo was swept
a\ray by a conflagraUon in 1871, it was
noted that some of the seemingly brick-
built blocks of houses Avere of brick only
on their four external faces, the party-
walls between the dwellings being them-
selves^^of studs, lath, and plaster. Such
a group of houses would bum like one
house. When Boston lost the greater part
of its business quarter in 1872 the news-
papers talked in their usual careless way
about fire-pi'oof buildings having melted
before the flames, Avhen in reality those
five-story business buildings also Avere
merely carpenter-built structures, Avith
external facings of granite replacing the
brick. It Avas hai*d for people to believe
that what they called a brick house or a
granite Avarehouse was in reality a mere
mass of light wood-work, so ingeniously
combined in hollow floors aud hollow
partitions that the fire would run hori-
zontally along the one, aud vertically
frem floor to floor along the other.
The original American house was sim-
ply built by a carpenter, and so is the
pi'esent American house of small cost
anywhere outside of the great cities.
The necessity of supplying .a different
material has been felt iu the cities, and
masonry of one kind or another has re-
placed studs and clapboards for the outer
walls, but still the tradition of our Guild-
ers is wood-work—wood-work wherever
it can be used. Only slightly have the
fire laws and building laws of the cities
checked this disposition to make every-
thing of wood. Even to this day, what
we call a fire-proof building has wood-
en doors, wooden flooring, wooden sash,
wooden arehitraves to doora and win-
dows, aud but slight is the effort made to
replace these finishings and furnishings
Avith any other material. The partitions
themselves, however, are often, in the best
class of city houses as well as in public
buildings, made now of incombustible
material, and this under requirement of
law, or for the sake of diminished insur-
ance i*ates, or, finally, to avoid.the shi'ink-
ing and settling of wood framing.
The traditions of the carpenter-shop
have always been fairly sound. The
floora of our dwelling-houses are abun-
dantly solid; the wood-work of the parti-
tions, the furring, and the finishing are
generally as good as could be asked. It
is true that A'ery many houses, run up
rapidly for sale at a low price, were care-
lessly built in those days, but there were
plenty of well-built houses too. It is
the mason-work that fails. The would-
be buyer of a good house finds it hard
to avoid thin walls of brick hastily
throAvn together, Avith a very insufficient
amount of mortar, and Avith the most
careless and hasty bricklaying. The
twenty-five-foot brick house, Avith brown-
stone front and somewhat stately ap-
pointments within and without, is found
very soon to have flues so defective that
the house itself and its neighbor on one
side or the other side are both endanger-
ed. In one such house, costing with the
ground it stood upon $65,000, when the
fire in the furnace was lighted for the first
time, the smoke poured in dense volumes
into the principal story, both of the honse
itself and of its next neighbor. The
Avood-work of the pantry on one side and
of the drawing-room on the other was
hastily cut and torn away, and the cause
was found to be in a brick which had
never even beeu put rightly into its place
in the wall, but which projected a liltk
way diagonally, leaving a wide-open joint
at either end. In another such house, al
though the walls sepai*ating the large
rooms from the entrance-hall and pas-
sages Avere of brick-work throughout, and
although the floor beams of basement
and principal story were amply solid and
massive, and set closely enough to' meet
all possible requirements, yet the floors
gave way and lost their level to a notice-
ablo extent immediately upon taking the
weight of ordinarilj' heavy furniture. I n
this case the brick-work in general Avas
fairly good, and the carpenter-work Avas
all that could be desired, hut the respon-
sibility of giving to the floor beams a
proper support on the brick wall had been
met by neither carpenter nor nia.son—the
supports of the be.auis had been brought
level by small pieces of half-rotten slate;
and wheu a few pounds of additional
Aveiglit Avere laid upon each beam, the
ends of the beams settled down into the
imperfectly laid cour.se of brick below.
A catalogue of such instances of careless
buildiug as this might be made, with
chapter and verae, Avith date and place,
for every item; but it is unnecessai'y.
Every householder knows Avliat careless
Avork goes into the houses which ho and
his friends buy ready-made, and sell again
when they cannot endure them any long-
er. Indeed, this careless Avay of building
comes of the ready-made house, just as
careless workmanship is ajii to be put into
the " reacl^mc-down" garment, the *' jiist-
as-good"Uicycle, and the ready-made ar-
ticle of any sort,
CHANGES OP PLAN NECESSITATED BY
MODERN MATERIALS,
Some not inconsiderable changes in
plan will result from the general use of
incombustible material and better work-
manship. A comparison of a carefully
planued private house of Finance, or of
a n y country or district where masonry is
used much more freely and readily, and
where there is much less wood-AVork than
Avitli us, will show a remarkable simpli-
city of plau. F o r good or for evil, such
a tendency Avill inevitably result as the
work of our builders groAvs more dur-
able and permanent in character. It
will be less easy to furnish the house-
keeper with little closets in many corners
and Avitli large ones set anywhere at her
discretion, aud Avith their dooi-s coming
exactly where she likes to have them.
On the other hand, she will be much less
annoyed by dust and by smells rising
from the lower stories through the whqle
house. The loss of closets may perhaps
be partly .-ivoided by new iiiA'entions fui^-
nishing light and cheap partitions of in-
combustible material. The gain Avill be
certain and permanent. It will be hard-
er to put bell-pulls or bell-knobs, the
mouths of speaking-tubes, and the open-
ings for gas in the places Avhich the own-
er desires, because the superintendents oi
the future Avill be less willing to allow
the scandalous cultiug of long channels
in solid brick-work—CA'cn horizontal chan-
nels two inches deep, ns the custom lias
been; even the piereiug of brick Avitli
holes for the passage of pipes Avill uot
be allowed, as this is too often allowed
at present. Such Avails will not, Ave may
be sure, be cut thi*ougli and through,
with great ragged holes in the critical
part of the superincumbent load upon
an arch, and actually invading the
haunch or the crewn of the arch itself.
Elevators and diimli-Avaitei'S •must here-
after be built in with solid fire-proof
shafts from top to bottom, and this Avill
consume space, as well as add to the in-
itial cost. Of all of these subjects there
will be a fuller treatment in a second
article of this series. For the present it
must suffice that the reader's attention be
called to the importance of thorough-going
Avork oil the part of his architect. Plan-
n i n g must not be .slighted, as ii is too
often slighted now; but the architect Avho
is employed to design a private house,
large or small, must be held to the loyal
discharge of his duty. I t must be undei'-
stood that he will give the same personal
aud minute attention to making the house
comfortable, couveuieut, and what it is
required to be, as his contemporary Uie
physician gives his own best alteutiou
and all the fruits of his training to save
life and to relieve disease. The archi-
tect is not hereafter to be let off with a
pretty set of drawings, delicate and ex-
quisitely finished, and showing a house
whose general featui-es are Avliat the own-
er thinks he wants. No requirement of
the housekeeper is so small as to be uu-
Avorthy of the architect's attention; and
if it be desired that the butler's pantry
be arranged in this and not in another
Avay, it is for the ni'chitect to bring that
about, or else lo point out to the owner
the I'easous why it cannot be done. Own-
era mu.st be reasonable too; there is no
doubt about that. There are many Uiings
Avhich are iniprcicticable, and many more
Avhich it is unreasonable to ask, and of
these there must be question b3'-and-by;
but tho point now under consideration is
the need of the employing an architect
who Avill take a pleasure in doing his full
duty in the planning of a new dwelling.
 THE DANCING LIGHTS.
BY JOHN AN'niTE CHADWICK.

F ROM out the country spaces cool and clear

W e flash into the nia'ze of city streets.
W h a t pageant this that sti'aightway doth appear?
W h a t land of faery that our vision greets?
A feast of lights! And as Ave roll along.
As if each one some loA'oly dancer held,
They interweave as to some choric song
W h i c h from the dark mysteriously welled;
To whose soft t u n e the dancers round and round
Move in a rapture tremulous and intense,
W i t h languorous paces that make faintest sound
And ever duller and more drowsy sense.
The dancing lights 1 Too lingeringly I gazed
On their warm motions till, as one who reels
W h e n by some beauteous, blinding vision dazed,
Aud then, back to himself retui'uing, feels
Right glad of heart: so, then, it was with me
As, looking up, I saw the heaven's calm
Shedding the light of stara so silently
That on iny heart that stillness fell like balm.
F a r off aud cool, each, in his perfect sphere,
Held, as if motionless, his aAvful Avay;
Star unto star discoursing crystal clear
As Avhen they sang creation's primal lay.
Ah me I I would that when the dancing lights
Of Avayward passion seek m y soul to sway
W i t h tlieir wild motion, from those meaner sights
I might be strong to turn m y eyes away
To where th' eternal stars so pui-ely shine—
Truth, Beauty, Good—and by that vision blest—
Lifting m y heart to make its clearness, mine,
Taste then, earth-bound, the everlasting rest.

THE EQUIPMENT OF THE MODEKN CITY HOUSE.

BY RUSSELL STURGIS.

PART IL
KEEPING HOUSE WITHOUT GLOSETa
T a recent meeting of the Royal In-
A stitute of British Arehitects a speak-
er dwelt upon the abundance of closets,
cupboai'ds, and pantries Avhich American
ladies seem to demand in both city and
country houses, and which American
architects supply. He Avould apparently
have advocated the introduction of more
closet room iu British houses. His ideas
were opposed by a n arehitect of long
standing and of very large domestic prac-
tice, the author of a valuable book on top-
ics connected with modern architecture,
Avho argued that closets were exti'emely
Avastef ul of space, and in every way to be
shunned; that they wei'e places where old
lumber was stored and forgotten, dust-
catchers, nests for Termin, fire-traps. A
French lady resident in Ajcnerica once re-

FIO. I.—A nocsB wirnouT CLOSETS.
The offloe wliif; oxtends far beyond the lualn part
of the buuHe.
sir ChailM Dany, krehllM't.
marked that the writer should be intrust-
ed with the planning of her new house.
"You Avill be delighted with it,"said the
kindly Avouian; " I d o not ask any closets
of you at all; no house of mine shall have
any closets." She assumed that arehi-
tects abhor closets, as indeed they very
generally do. The neat, simple, admira-
bly compact plans of French dwellings,
whether chateaux aud maisons de cain-
pagne, or small private liotels in the city,
or villas in the suburbs or ou the sea-
shore, emphasize by comparison the clut-
tered look of the little nooks aud cornera
and the hampered distribution of Ameri-
can plans.
A HOUSE WITHOUT CLOSETS.
Fig. I. is tho plan of an English coun-
try house designed by Sir Charles Barry,
the nrehilect of the Houses of Parliameut,
and therefore not
of the most recent
construction. It
Avas built in the
neighborhood of
London for a man
of title and of large
means. It Ava^
planned with ex-
ti-aoi-diuary care,
aud was built Avith
material of special
importation and manufacture. The of-
fices ai*e provided on a scale sufficieuUy
large for a staff of thirty-five house-ser-
vants. The laundry, stables, aud gar-
denera* accommodations are in proportion.
The family dwelling is somewhat iu con-
trast to these as regards its size; but ihe
gardens, the approaching entrances, and
the rooms ou the ground-floor are marked
by a singulai* stateliness of effect, and
the staircase windows command a noble
view. This house, though in the coun-
try, is offered as an example of the no-
closet theory, because iu its construction
every opportunity and every inducement
was offered for the most perfectly
planned dwelling conceivable. It will be
observed that the second story offera not
a closet, pantry, place for hanging, place
for shelves and drawers—not a single
fixed appurtenance of ihe kind within its
Avliole perimeter.
As a contrast to this. Fig. II. is ihe floor
plan of a New York city house in Avhich
closets are abundantly supplied. It Avill
be seen that the closets are of three kinds:
those arranged for hanging, Avith prob-
ably a shelf or two shelves above each;
those arranged with shelves, which, are,
iu fact, ''presses"qr wai'drobes built into
the house; and those fltted with di-aAvera,
or draAvera aud shelves. Hanging-closets
and closets with shelves must always
have doors to enclose them. Those fitted
with drawera may or may not have the
doora covering and concealing ihe fronts
of the drawera. All thi-ee kinds involve
the waste of space between the top of the
closet and the ceiling—at least three feet
six inches. Concerning this space no-
thing is to bo said except that, in oi'der to
keep the dust fi*om Avhatever shelves it
may contain, it had better be enclosed
Avith separate doora, and that whatever is
stored there, being accessible only by lad-
der, should be registered iu some sort of
open directory.
 To avoid this upjier stow-holo, aud at
ihe same time to lessen the weight upon
the floor, closets are sometimes walled
Avitli a light Avood wainscot, in panel or
in ceiling boards, and roofed at iheir
natural height Avitli a broad flat top like
a very large shelf (Fig. III). Such closets,
if they stand in a i*oom, may be given
tho aspect of a series of Avardrobes; there
is uo waste space at the sidQS and corners,
no place where dust collects unduly; ev-
ery part of the closet is easy to utilize,
and the light from the windows beara di-
rectly into eacli wardrobe aud draAver.
The disadvantage of this plan is that it
takes up so much of the wall space in the
chamber to which the closets belong.
Nearly all housekeepers prefer a closet
system to which one or tA\'o doora iu a
given Avail give admittance, leaving a
pier between these doora where a piece of
furniture can stand. Fig. l Y . shows that
wall of a bedi-oom which is opposite to
the windows; the closet beyond it is ar-
i*anged as in Fig. III., and the drawing
shows how light in abundance can be
supplied, even if it be but bori'owed light.
The necessity of a thorough draught, car^
rying with it abundance of air, is also met
by this ai'raugemeut. To occupy the whole
of that wall with the closet fronts them-
selves Avoidd be to diminish the oppoi*tu-
nities for furnishing the room according
to the occupant's taste. Still, however,
the plan Fig. III. is always worthy of
consideiation as a half-way measure—a
sort of compromise between the European
and American systems. The use of ward-
robes, similar hut movable, must be con-
sidered below.
The amount of room to be devoted to should ever be requii'ed in place of Uie
hanging, to stowage on shelves and stow- vacant space left for hanging, ihe whole
age in drawers,will vary according to the frent of wood-work must be knocked
taste of the ladies of ihe family, and also away, or else the space available for
according to the dressmakers' fashions.
n . — A HOUSE COMPI.ETEI.T FITTED AVITH CLO.SETS.
Tho floor-plan of a New York residence.
W e are told now, in the spring of 1899,
thai hanging-closets are needed to au ex-
tent uot hitherto thought of, and that
closets Avitli large and deep drawera are
no longer so much i-equii'ed. It may prob-
ably be a good plau to arrange closets
about iA\'o feet deep in such a Avay that
the interior fltting with shelves or drawers
may easily be altered.
This brings us to the important con-
sideration of the construction of these
closets. It should be observed that the
question of closets or no closets is, in re-
ality, a question between the fui'uitui'e-
maker and ihe house-carpenter.
The advantage of ihe furniture-maker
is that his hanging-closet, made with solid
uprights and top, and with a curtain hung
across the front (see Fig. V.), may be put
any where, that a picture may be hung over
it, that it can be dusted and cleaned Avith
great ease, aud that it does not complicate
the plan of the house. The same odvan-
tage exists in the case of the more costly
wardrobe with solid doors of wood. Fixed
closets iu a house can ordinarily be al-
tered or rdoved only by tearing to pieces
ihe neighboring xiartitions of lath and
plaster, and by leaving great scars on
the wall and ceiling. Moreover, their
enclosing x>artitions of light Avood-work
and the doora are habitually arranged so
as to leave a maximum of dark, inaccessi-
ble comera. If your hanging-closet is
six feet wide from left .to right, there is
every reason to suppose that it will be
opened iu front by a pair of doors uot
exceeding three feet two inches in their
total width, so that at least a foot is left
in the way of a pocket at either side. If
an ari'ang€ment of drawera and shelves
drawera is diminish-
ed nearly by half.
B y way of provid-
ing for these con-
tingencies closets
should, really be
built without any
front, excex>t that
afforded by swing-
ing-doora, or by the
curtains which re-
place them. The
wooden architectu-
ral front with up-
 rights of considei*able breadth
(see Fig. VI.) causes, as every
one knows, an infinite waste of
room and an infinite accumula-
tion of dust.
The most satisfactory closets
in the ordinaryxlwolJing-houses
are of two kinds. I n Fig. V I L
a space from threo feet ten
inches to four feet six inches by
seven feet, or thereabouts, is en-
tered by a door near the middle
of one of its longer walls. This
leaves room on either side of the
entrance for a set of shelves;
aud on one side, at least, there is
room for shelves so deep that
they may be enclosed with a pair
of light doora, and m a y have
drawera below. I t often hap-
pens in our smaller houses rn.—WARDROBIS CLOSETS ALONO THE WAIX OF
thai such a closet is used as a A BSDROOM.
"wash-closet,"and in that case In this example the wardrobe doors are glazed.
a basin is set at B, where other-
Avise shelves would be. The space be- rior of the closet. Where there is abun-
tween the two sets of shelves is used for dant space and means, a di-essing-rooin, or
a hanging-place. Pig. I V . shows how Avardrobe-room, or linen-room, or sewing-
this closet may receive light and air more room, can be arranged with a window in
freely than is usual. The second distri- oue of the outer walls, and such a room
bution is that hinted at in the firat article con bo lined around Avith presses or cup-
of this series, where, between ihe front and boards arranged ideally, with every inch
rear rooms in an ordinary old-fashioned of space perfectly opened up by means of
Nev^r York city house, a double row of swinging-doora. Fig. I X . shows what
cupboards is arranged along a passage. the gi*eat archteologist Viollet-le-Duo im-
Fig. V I . shows this disposition as it ex- agined for the chatelaine's work-room.
ists in houses forty yoara old, and as it I t is notable ihat the introducUon of
is still arranged to-day. W h a t has beeu electric light into a house tends to make
said above about wastefulness
of space applies here with pecul-
iar force. Fig. V I . shows the
clutrisy treatment very common
in these cases. I t will be seen
that there is nearly as much
Avaste room as available room.
In Fig. VIII.space is saved,a far
more pleasing and t r u l y arehi-
tectui'al ti'eatmeni is secured,
and a certain facility of altera-
tion would seem to be gained.
Closets in city houses can I'are-
ly have windows opening into
the air. They usually depend
on " borrowed " daylight or on
lamps. W h e u the inner face of
the door is painted white, or as
nearly white as pos.sible, and
set at tho proper angle, it is a Fia. rv.—A CLOSET RECESSED IN A WALI, OPPOSrriC A
AVINDOW.
poAverful reflector, and throws a Tbo left-hand door leads to a pa.ssapo. The uloHet lieymnl the
great deal of light into the inte- rliirht baud door may bo arranged as in Fig. III. or us In FJff. Yll.

FIG. v.—TUB FURNITCRE-MAKBU 8 CLOSET.
Compuot. movable, aud easily cleaned.
all its closets vastly more useful. Gas-
burnera in closets are always dangerous,
unless kept constantly lighted aud burn-
ing in a small flame. A candle carried
iuto a closet is more dangerous, and is a
great annoyance. In fitting each closet
with an electric bulb, the matter of ex-
Xiense only is to be considered; and if, as
a i-esult of using electricity, closets should
be supplanted by larger press-rooms, and
the necessary service of each bedroom
should bo rendered by a portable ward-
robe or press, some persons Avould think
the result fortunate. One or the other
FIG. Al.—PASSAOEWAT CLOSETS, THE TJSUAI.
ARRANOENENT.
The \rido Bpaces of dead partition. A, A. the cornices, etc.,
wnsto room anil lead to the ncoiimnlation of diint. Wliere the
ulixir sl.Hiid8 tlieru are i if tun u purtltlou aud a doo'r oorrespoud-
lug to those at tbe other end.
of the two opposite couraes, however,
should be followed steadfastly and with
forethought.
The decision between the two may bo
infiuenced by the continual conflagra-
tions Avhicli keep our fire departments on
the move. Closets, as being almost.the
most dangerous parts of a houso, will have
to be made up of fire-proof material,
or at least iheir fixed uprights or parti-
tions and their shelves must be made so,
leaving nothing to he built of wood but
the swinging - doora aud ihe drawers,
Avhich Avould be too heavy if made of
metal. Closets may be effectually built
with pai'titiouB of slate or corrugated
sheet-iron, and their shelves may be of
sheet-iron covered with leather or cloth,
aud made stiff by a lip or flange turned
dowu iu front and rear. The upright
division between closets may often be'
made of wire uetliug, some patterns ofi
Avhich give a very |
firm aud rigid wall.
This, if it allows dust
to ]}ass, allows light
to pass also. It is
pi'obable that the
tendency of future
careful building will BED ROOM.
be toward excluding n o . T i l . — A RKOKSSCn
drawers fi'om all sta- OMtRKT MUniFTEU IMTO
tionary closets, aud A uuBssuie-ouMn'.
Avill be toward ward-
robes Avith shelves and wardrobes with
hooks, all of which can be built without
the use of wood, except for the
valves of the doors, which are
isolated and comparatively free
from objection in i*egard to fire.
Not much is to be made of clos-
ets which are put iu because here
or there is a convenient corner.
Thought must be taken for their
placing, their lighting, the posi-
tion of their doors in the room
which they serve, aud for ihe
utility of eveiy square foot of
their space. Architects may de-
test such poor small details, but
the remedy is to have an expert
assistant.
STAIRS AND STAIRCASES.
The matter of staira demands
a moment's notice. It was
thought elegant, less than a cen-
tury ago—elegaut and stately—
to build stairs with a very small
 rise and a very large run. Tlie
tread, the horizontal surface of
the step, was made very broad,
perhaps sixtebu inches, while
the rise, or vertical height, of
each step was bi'ought down to
less than six inches. This cus-
tom has disappeared, partly, no
doubt, because of the difficulty
of allowing horizontal space
enough for staircases of such
gradual slope. Modern houses,
partly because they are so crowd-
ed with closets, and parUy be-
cause land has gone up in price,
are made more compact than
old houses were. A good houso
of a hundred yeara ago seems
to us spacious, not having so
much compressed iuto its area. FIG. V I U . — P A S S AGE WATT CLOSETS—THE m S A L
It is customary, in reckoning the ARRANGEMENT,
Avoiding tho waste of room aud the accnmulation of dust.
rate of ascent iu a staircase, to
add the rise and the run, or the
vertical aud horizontal dimensions,.to- one fou r inches less in measurement. On
gether, and to say that each step should ihe other hand,it is very annoying to have
measure about eighteen inches in all. the steps of an in-door stairease too small.
This, however, cannot be the rule in The women of a family seldom complain
all ca.ses; the flatter the step, the more of steps Avhose measurement is eighteen
gradual the rise, the larger may b^ the inches, Avhereas if they are made smaller
aggregate measurement of rise and r u n ; t h a n that, as they frequently are by arehi-
whereas where a staircase is steep, hav- tects or by ownera who think this an im-
ing risera of perhaps seven and a half pi-ovemeut, they cause great inconven-
inches, the rise and r u n together must ience to the more energetic inmates, who
needs be less. In this latter case let are driven to take them iwo steps at a
eighteen inches be, if you please, the time. Every builder has, uo doubt, his
measurement of each step; but where the own experience to relate, liut it Avill gen-
rise is more giadual, «ach step m a y mea- eially be found that little objection is
sure twenty inches or more. made to a step of eighteeu inches, in
The reader must not forget, however, which the rise is uot more than seven
that steps out-of-doora may be, gouei-ally aud a quarter inches.
are, much larger than
those within-doors. A
peri*on,or flight of stone
steps leading to a terrace
or veranda or porch,and
still more, a flight of
steps in a park at a
point where the level
changes too i-apidly for
a slope to be used, is
taken by the walker in
his out-of-door rate of
progi'e.ss. He has been
walking; he does not
relax his speed nor the
length of his step; he
takes a twenty-four-inch
step more easily thaii FIG. I X . — A N IDEAL OP A HOUSEKEEPER S WORK-ROOM.
in-doora h e would take As dosif;ncd by Viollet-lo-Uuo in bis Diutionary of Furniture.
 WOOD AND mON STAIRCASES.
The stairs of the future must be fire-
proof, not, as with closets, because they are
out of the Avay and fit to nourish and
keep secret a little fire until it has grown
to a big one, but because it is of vital im-
portauce that they should be the last
things in the house to burn. The staira
must be so built, and so supported at top
and bottom of each flight, that nothing
but the complete ruin of the structure
will bring them down. It is to be re-
gretted that the habit o^ buildiug the
whole staii-case of blocks of stone, one
stone to a step, so general, ou the conti-
nent of Europe and not unknown in
England, should never have obtained in
this country. It is a second-rate London
house Avhicli has now a wooden stair-
case, and on the Continent simple and
cheap stone staircases are exh*emely com-
mon. In this country it is easier to in-
troduce iron staircases into onr contracts
for building; but the iron ones are inferior
in capacity for.arehitectural treatment,
and are in no respect better, except that
where the treads are left uncovered by
carpets they will bear unchanged an
amount of wear which would make a
sensible hollow iu the soft stone tread.
The use of stone or iron for stairs Avill
tend to a certain simplification of the plau
of the house, because a single flight of
steps from floor to floor Avill be fouud no-
tably less expensive than a more compli-
cated staircase reaching its destination by
platforms or " windera." The balustera
and hand-rails of slone aud irou staircases
will be lighter, and will not form so mas-
sive-looking a design. If the hand-iail
is carried in its place by few and slight
uprights of metal, it Avill serve all ihe
needs of a parapet. If Uie vertical sur-
face of the parapet must be filled up to
keep children from creeping through Uie
openings, somewhat more expense must
be incurred for metal tracery. The hand-
rail itself may be alloAved to remain of
wood, for there is no danger to the house
from so little combustible matter, and it is
much more pleasant to the hand than any
other material yet seriously proposed.
Where stone stairs are not to be used,
a modification of the fittings of some of
our modern warehouses, college buildings,
hospitals, and such public institutions
might be appropriate. A light wrought- FIO. X.—STAIRS .WITH NO CEILIKO BENEATH.
iroii frame, consisting of string-pieces Some of tbo richest modem staircases are bnllt iii'
and horizontal ci-oss-bara from string to this way.
string, will suffice to carry treads of any
material, of plank even—for where oak
plank is separated by six inches from oak
plank, fire will not communicate readily.
The incombusUble material, however, had
better be used—for instance, slate cut into
slabs two inches thick, or marble.. It
must be remembered, however, that if a
piece of furniture, or a box which is be-
ing carried up such a staircase slips, the
dowuAvai-d blow of its angle will break a
marble or slate tread,Avhere it would only
bruise a wooden one. Finally, the tread
may be of cast iron. The custom has
been to cast these treads with many small
openings formed into a pattern imagined
by the designer to be ornamental. Bisers
may be dispensed with—that is to say,
ihei'e may be nothing to fill the space
vertically between tread and tread, and
this is what constitutes an "open-riser"
flight of staira. In a dwelling-house,
such a stair as this is covered up by a
carpet, aud the carpet forms the close
riser. Excellent results can be obtained
in this way, and the treads themselves
may be of the cheapest cast iron or
wrought iron if ihe carpet is to cover them.
The Writer has built such stairs on all
plans—square,Avitli square platforms, cir-
cular, and elliptical—and no unreasonable
difficulty has resulted to the mechanics
who laid the carpets. Where no carpet is
to be used, the space of the riser must be
filled up by something; but this may be
a very slight and thiu plate or sheet of
copper, brass, or iron, or even of paper
boai-d. No weight comes upon it, and it
has not, unless under the most exception-
al circumstances, to resist blows or press-
ure. All this is on the supposition that
the stall's are to have no soifit or loAver
fluishetl face to form the ceiling, so to
speak, to tho space below. (See Figs.
X., X I . , and XII.) W h e n staira are of
Avood, the soffit would serve to conceal
and to nourish a fire, and to carry it
rapidly from fioor to floor. In many
houses elaborate care has been taken to
make the design for a handsome oak
stau'case as complete beneath as above.
If the slaircase is of incombustible mate-
rial, then it is indifferent, and a soffit of
wire lath and plaster, or of thin metal,
may be used. I t is quite unnecessary, X I I . — B U I L T IN IMITATION OF CUT STONE.
A rich staircase of the colonial period.
however, to resort to this ancient custom

Passenger-elovatora fit to carry one or

two peraons have, until I'ccently, requii-ed
a special attendant and au engineer in
tho cellar. Now, however, a n electric
system has been introduced which prom-
ises Avell. As soon as the Avould-be pas-
senger has pi'essed the button, the car
comes to the landing. Another button
pressed inside stops it at the floor desired.
W i t h such a piece of machinery no atten-
dant is needed, and as long as ihe clecirio
supply is kept in order, tho motor can be
trusted to do its Avork. Our experience
of this latest " modern i m p r o v e m e n t " is
yet, however, brief.
Electricity is on the Avay to revolution-
FIO. X I . — C E I L E D BENEATH WITH I.ATH ize our habits of life iu our homes no less
A N D PLASTER.
than in ihe business world and the ti'av-
Charaotoristio of tho oarly uiueteeuth century. elling AVorld. The only serious obstacle
to its general use, the great initial and
of concealing the under side of the steps; working cost, will natuially diminish as
and certainly in our small and crowded our conti'ol gi'OAvs more complete, and
stair-balls the open stairway seems lighter, more especially as the demand for elec-
aud crowds less aggressively. trical apparatus becomes more Avidely dif-
fused.
DUMB-WAITERS AND LIFTS.
I t is sometimes gravely urged that the LIGHTING BY ELECTRICITY.
back staircase,Avhich all good housekeep- I n lighting a house no one has dai'ed
era relinquish ouly because of the press- until recently to disregard gas and other
ure on the internal space of their houses appliances, for uo one has felt cei'toin
of so many new requirements, is n o that his electric light would not fail him
longer needed, now that a large dumb- at a most awkward moment. NOAV, AVC
Avaiter may r u n from cellar to roof. Such are beginning to see that a householder
a dumb-waiter, properly counterpoised, is may choose between gas aud electricity.
Ciipable of carrying a trunk, a couple of The question of placing electric lights is
coal-scuttles, baskets, material and sup- extremely interesting, and is not yet sat-
plies of all sorts, between a n y two stories isfactorily .inswered. W e have treated
of the house by the mere application of them as Ave are accustomed to treat gas-
human strength. A small sepai*ate dumb- fixtures or wall-sconces for candles. The
Availer for tho table service only may r u n writer i'ecalls the firat occasion of his
from kitchen to sorvice-room. havinfif used an electric light for constant
aud hourly service. It was iu a state-
room of an ocean steamer, and tho hemi-
sphere of glass projecting fi'om the parti-
tion Avas equally well placed for the read-
er or writer, and for oi>ening a travelling-
bag upon the couch. In oi'der thai simi-
lar convenience maybe found in the elec-
tric bulbs in our chambera, there would
have to be mmiy openingfs—four or five
iu an oi*diuai'y bedroom, besides tAvo in
the closets or lobbies adjoining—and it
Avould, of course, be well to have them all
separately manageable after the electric
current was once turned iuto the Aviring
of the room. The possessor of such a
room touches a button, either outside of
his door iu the wall of the corridor or
immediately within the room, the firet
thing which his hand reaches in passing
the threshold. This lights up, let us say,
one burner iu the room, and enables him
to find the buttons for all the other bulbs
in ihe room. He may then light the two
l)eside the dressing-glas*;, or the one in
the wall above the "davenport," or the
one at the bed's head, for never again
need the bachelor be reproached for en-
dangering the household's peace by read-
ing iu bed with a candle beside him. The
convenience of lighting one's path in ad-
vance is so well recognized, even at this
present commencement of proceedings
Avith electric light, that already the
householder may press a button os he
leaves the ground-floor at nights, and see
the lights iu tho corridors of the second
story blaze up. The touch of anothei*
buttou will put out these same lights as
he entera his bedroom. If to this faciUty
of management by means of the pressure
of buttons there be added the free use
Avhich can be made of the flexible con-
ductora by Avhicli the electric bulb itself
is hung, it would seem as if our houses
might be as convenient by night as by
day. The bulb at the end of its swing-
ing wire can be carried into a closet, or
along the shelves of a bookcase into the
remotest corner, and Avlien hung upon
the wall will serve to light the room.
The prevalent fashion of keeping a sit-
ting-room or dining-room dark, while only
ihe table is lighted by means of a lamp
beneath a spreading shade—which some
peraons really enjoy, or pretend to enjoy,
associating with it certain ideas of cozi-
ness and tranquillity in the midst of
alarms—has uot been affected by the use
of electricity. It Avill always be })ossible
to turn out all the lights in the dining-
room except those of the standards set
upon the table. But electricity makes it
so very natui-al and convenient to light
the room all at once that the fashion
soems likely to tend toward the iireference
of those who choose to live by night in
a medium as nearly as possible like that
which facilitates their movements by day.
A bunch of eight electric bulbs iu a radi-
ating circle on the ceiling will light a
I'ooni thirty feet long and a table where
twenty-five guests are seated; but it has
proved agreeable to many persons to set
the lights in bunches of four or less in
the four cornera of the ceiling. Oue ex-
periment docs not seem to have been tried
with sufficient resolution, and that is the
lighting of a long room, like one of our
drawing-rooms, by means of bulbs every
tlii*ee feet, in a row, high on either wall.
The effect might suggest a shop or an em-
porium, but Uie light would certainly bo
more diffused and softer than in other
ari'angements. All this, of courae, is
quite apai't from the question of lights
low on tho wall to I'ead by, or lights car-
ried to a writing-table by means of a flex-
ible conductor aud the standard lamp.
MINOR ELECTRICAL APPARATUS.
Tlie introduction of wiring for electric
bells, burglar alai-ms, and messenger calls
is a matter of such elaborate precaution
that no assurance of its beiug rightly
done can exist short of tho employment
of the best possible workmen on Uie job.
A perfectly well-known system of plan-
ning aud construction has been accept-
ed by the different societies and boai'da
represeiiUng ait;hitects, electrical engi-,
neers, and underwritere; nothing but tbei
absence of good-will and a desire to
" s h a v e " the job is to be feared, as a
cause likely to result iu bad service or
danger from Are. It is quite understood,
for instance, that the copper wires, insu-
lated by gutta-peroha or a similar mate-
rial, shall be draAvn through tubes called
conduits, aud it is usual to put these into
the building during its erection, exactly
as tubes for old-fashioned bell-wii'es used
to be built into Avails and hung in hollow
parUtious.
GAS-PIPES AND ELECTRIC CONDUITS AS
DECORATIVE FEATURES.
The resemblance betAveeu the conduits
of electric liofhtinfi: aud the old-foshioued
 gas-pipes is peraistent, and those difficul-
ties which Avere so numerous and so ob-
vious ill tho case of gas-pipes have come
np again. Americans seemed disposed to
get smooth and unbroken surfaces at all
hazards and at any cost, and to take a
queer delight in having gas-fixtures
emerge from what appeare a massive
marble-faced wall or a solid granite col-
umn. As a I'esult, Avhen gas-fittera at-
tacke<l a nearly complete houso Uioy used
to cause a deal of mischief. In the places
Avhere two gas-brackets were to project
from a Avail, six feet apart, Ave used to see
a horizontal channel six feet long cut
into a solid and perfectly built brick Avall,
and a vertical channel leading from be-
low the floor to Uiis. This meant, of
courae, that the proprietor was deter-
mined to have his gas-brackets iu ex-
actly that place, perhaps to light the
dressing-glass, aud that he was quite un-
Avilling to havo the pipes show on ihe
surface. Architects and employers ought
to agree that electric tubing shall not
produce similar disastrous results. In
France this concealment of the pipes by
cutting and slashing in solid masonry
would uot have been allowed, and in
America it ought not t o have been al-
lowed—but such is our happy-go-lucky
Avay of building. Suppose such tricks
Avitli the constructional parts of a build-
ing to be prohibited by law, and the law
enforced, clearly au owner will be influ-
enced by two tendencies. The one is to
alter the placing of ihe lights more or
less, which in a sense would handicap
him as to their arrangement; the other
is Avillingly to accept devices for allow-
ing the visible pipes to pass into the gen-
eral decoration of the ixiom. The latter
courae is the wiser, and n o room is worae
for having two uprights of pipe rising
from the baseboard to a height of five
and a half or six or seven feet, and ter-
minating in a far more permanent aud
pronounced feature, the gas-bracket or
electric fixture. Observe that there is
generally no objection to the gas-pipe or
the electric conduit r u n n i n g along the
floor behind the baseboard; the base-
board can be removed easily, or knocked
away iu a second, and the pipe laid bare.
Observe also that for the vertical piiie the
proprietor has his choice between a very
slender conduit, which h e m a y think is
invisible, and Avhicli Avill be nearly so as
its metal tarnishes with age, and a much
larger aud stouter one, which he can gild
or bronze, and which may enter into the
ornamentation of the room. To a cer-
tain extent the swinging or movable elec-
tric light does away, as nothing connect-
ed with gas lighting could do, with the
absolute necessity of fixtures. Some la-
dies appi-ove of a light for their dressing-
table uot at the sides, but high overhead;
this can be most easily supplied by the
electric system, by bringing down a swing-
ing bulb from the ceiling at ihat point.
And as for tubes runuing along the ceil-
ing, they must i-eally be exposed and com-
bined iu some way with the plaster
moulding, if plaster it be, or laid belAveeu
the beams, if ihe beams are exposed.
Slowly, though very slowly, the public
mind yields to the representations of ar-
chitects and decoratora. External water-
leadera on a showily designed buildiug
may be really injurious to the architectu-
ral effect, but long habit has made them
harmless in the eyes of most peraons. By
degrees has it become possible to expose
plumbing in a way of which it will soon
be necessary to speak, aud to carry the
main pipes for steam or hot-water heat-
ing stiaight through ihe room from floor
to ceiling. The better-informed people
have learned i h a t these things are not
eyesores, that with custom the eye ceases
to'rest upon them, to observe them. I n
a way they lead toward good decoration.
This superatition against pipes t h a t show
iu a room has been largely caused by the
naked whiteness or the uniformity of
gi"ay paint which the old-fashioned living-
room presented. Give your room some
richness of color, some elegance of divi
sion and arrangement ou each of its walls,
something really acUve and positive in
the way of ornamentation, and your gas-
piX>es will cease to annoy you.
THE TREATMENT OF OPEN PLUMBING.
I n the gi-eat question of plumbing, hy-
gienic considerations have forced ihe
house-builder to reconsider his primitive
notions about exposed pipes. Twenty
yeara ago, even as late as that, it was very
harel to perauade the ladies of a house-
hold that a sink or basin slab did not W
quire an elaborate Avainscoting of wood
carried to the floor all around i t I t A\'as
thought important to the respectability of
tli6 room, that this siukor slab should put
on the appearance of a piece of furniture.
Boards of health have found willing
listenera in the architects, aud they have
found coadjulora iu the fraternity of
plumbera, until now it is as rare to see a
new piece of plumbing done in a good
houso aud iu a good way Avhich is not
wholly exposed, as it was iu old times to
see anything of the plumbing but the sil-
ver-plated faucets themselves. Waste-
pipes and supply-pipes alike shOAV plainly
beneath a marble slab, Avhich is supported
by one or two brass columns, and is far
from being an unsightly object. Indeed,
the costly and rather elegant look of some
of Uiase plumbing fixtures suggests the
artistic possibiliUes of visible electric con-
duits.
PIPES CONCEALED IN FLOORS AND AVALLS.
TliQ horizontal piiies, however, are still
concealed in floors. This is most objec-
tionable, perhaps even more so than the
cutUng of horizontal gi'ooves in walls, bad
as that is; for plumbera have no sym-
pathy Avith the safe building of a house,
and for passing a single pipe aci*oss a
number of floor beams in succession, often
cut them down to half their depth and
strength. TheoreUcally the architect's
specifications and plans require that the
pipes be kept close to the walls, where the
notches cut in ihe beams will be far less
objectionable, and the depth of the notch-
es themselves is regulated. To carry out
such refinements as these in pi-actice is
extremely difficult Every oue assumes
as a condition precedent that the material
is so vastly in excess of what is really
needed that holes and gi'ooves and notch-
es may be cut ad libitum. Water-pipes,
like gas-pipes or electrical conduits, may
run along the walls, hidden by the base-
boards; or if a "fall"—that is to say, au
incline — is needed, they can be hung
against ihe Avail, and be concealed by a
thin baseboard put up afterwards, with a
cap at the top to fill s]^>ace.
THE SIMPLEST ARRANGEMENT OF
PLUMBING.
Still there is a difficulty in connection
Avith horizontal pipes that every builder
faces, and no one can say he has thor-
oughly conquei-ed. The ouly remedy is
the appropriation of a certain vertical
passage in the house to pui'poses of SEWAGE-TRAPS IN DWELLING-HOUSES.
plumbing, and the confinement of all the
lilumbing to that shaft. In the old PaVk- one greatly. The prudent housekeeper,
er House, in Boston, there was a shaft to be sure, is convinced ihat in spite of
lierhaps twenty feet square—a great room precautions sewer gas will pass through
with brick walls and a skylight at the
top, which was as many stories high as
Avas that wing of the hotel. Opening
upon this were the bath-rooms, aud in
some cases bath-rooms or wash-closets
Avere bracketed out into the shaft like bay-
Aviudows from the outer wall of the house.
Against the walls of this lofty rooiri all
ihe upward supply and dovniwai*d waste
was conducted in vertical pipes, ihe hori-
zontal connections being of the vei*y short-
est, so far as concerned bath-rooms, watei*-
closets, and the dressing - closets which
were immediately adjacent to the shaft.
This being a public hotel, horizontal sup-
ply and horizontal waste had to he fur-
nished to bedrooms at a distance fi'om the
shaft. That is a problem Avhich is in-
separable fi'om hotel plans and hotel
plants. In a dwelling-house, however,
things are different. Many a builder re-
fuses to have xilumbing connection in
the I'ooms above his decorated ceilings,
and his objection is perfectly reasonable.
W h y should he not carry it a little fur-
ther, and refuse to have his vestibule or
pautry come down by Uie run? If some-
what less expensive, it is still a serious
annoyance that an indefinite quautity of
water should be let loose to soak through
the flooring and trickle down between the
beams. He is wise who decides to have
no plumbing in his house more than a
few feet removed from a vertical shaft.
This shaft need not be more than some
two feet by three in size, and should be
arranged for in the planning of the house
by his architect There is of course no
objecUou to two such shafts, or more. All
that is required is that the owner should
consent to have his basins or his bath-
tubs luljoiuing the shaft, and consent to
sacriflce, as he would call it, as much of
the horizontal space of each story as it
occupies. The planning of his house
might be a little modified by the insertion
of this shaft, or these shafts, which must
of courae go through the floora in verU-
cal sequence; but this requirement is not
to be mentioned as a difficulty, for good
planning adapts all such requirements to
itself, and makes attractive featui'es out
of them.
The question of traps need not trouble
 waste-pipes and infect the air of the
chambor; and all ai'chitects know of
good houses whei'e Uie Avaste-pipe of the
Avash-basiu is simply a spout a foot long,
emptying into a common pail. When
this is the case, the wash-basiu must be
in a closet, or else the space below the slab
must bo enclosed; uo doubt of that! Iu
(loint of fact, modern plumbing is so
very well uuderatood, aud the conditions
of safety are so well grasped by all supei*-
intending architects of auy responsibil-
ity, that the system of traps had better be
trusted aud the connections all made. It
is good to have traps with a base to un-
screw, for the removal of solid objects; it
is good to have traps " bock-ventilated ";
it is good to have many traps, so that if
the water-seal of one should disappear by
carelessness, another will remain in work-
ing order; but ou the whole the system
of supply and waste had better be carried
out Avithout any gaps.
THE VIRTUE OP THE OLD-FASHIONED
WASH-STAND.
Bedrooms not adjacent to this vertical
plumbing shaft would havo to be supplied
Aviih hot aud cold water by hand, and
would of courae be limited to the old-
fashioned furniture-maker's wash-stand.
I n England and on ihe Continent,where
the standard of comfort is, on the whole,
so much higher than in America, even
the most luxurious establishments do uot
have running water thi*oughout. Every
oue who has travelled much in England
knows how the hotels, badly supplied with
food and table appointments, according to
American standards, have yet iu their
bedrooms a display of wash-stands, basins
of two sizes, ewers to match, soap^ishes,
sponge-cups, cans for hot Avater, and port-
able bath-tubs. Even more notable is this
display in a well-appointed English pri-
vate house. The wash-stand is a hand-
some table four feet long at least, with a
parapet or baluster around thi'ee sides of
its top, a shelf sustained by the legs a few
inches from the floor, aud two or three
drawers; and every part of this large
piece of furniture is occupied by the neat
and somewhat elegant pieces of crockery,
glass, aud metal 8upi>osed to be needed
for the toilet The disadvantage of such
an ari*aiigement is that it necessitates
more service; but in addition to the great
virtue that it makes possible, the vertical
arrangement of plumbing, it has oue su-
preme advantage, namely, cleanliness.
No device has yet beeu invented which
makes the fixed basin with running Avater
at once convenient, inexpensive, and clean-
ly. It may, indeed, be said that no device
has yet beeu discovei-ed which is simply
cleanly; at least, the writer has never seen
a fixed basiu about which it Avas not easy
to get up a squeamish horror. The ar-
I'augement by Avliich a bath-tub or basin,
used to be filled through the opeuiug
Avhich led to the waste-piiie seems to have
gone out, aud fortunately so, for this was
the filthiest of all the appliances; but
the ideal form for cleanliness has not yet
been introduced. In point of fact, the
present tendency amoug the most intelli-
gent housekeepers iu America is to discard
the idea that running water is necessary
in all the i'ooms of a house. The plumb-
ing shafts are so arranged as to bring as
many i-oomsas possible adjacent to them.
The rest of the rooms of the floor, Avhicli
are usually the least occupied, are supplied
Avith water by hand.
HEATING BY DIRECT RADUTION.
The matter of heating deeply concerns
the owner AVIIO cares about the internal
artistic effect of his dwelling. Nothing
has greater influence upon the architect-
ui>al arrangement of his rooms. That a
radiator be designed which shall not be
hideous is not beyond the bounds of pos-
sibility; the same talent which has given
us seemly designs for irou giaUugs at
door and window, and copper revetementg
for bay-Aviudows, may be applied with suc-
cess to ihe difficult subject of the radiator.
Aud yet the i>adiator is large, aggressive,
and immovable. Where it stands there
must it stand, aud uo Satui'day afternoon
of experimental changes in the sitting-
room will influence its stubborn disjiosi-
tion. One device only exists which makes
it practically invisible, aud that, as it hap-
pens, is a good oue for heating and A'en-
tilation. It is to put the radiator in the
window-back—that is to say, in the recess
between the jambs of the window where
the wall is thin below the Aviudow-sill.
There the eye will seldom detect i t The
cold air from outside will pass through
many pities of the radiator before it reach-
es the atmosphere of the room. All this
is admiiable in theory, but, as iu the case
of every other device for heating, curi-
ous difficulties attend it. One iilan is to
make the air enter through a grating iu a
panel below the windoAV and behind the
radiator. W i t h this arrangeineut it is lianl
to regulate its amount in colder and mild-
er weather. Another plan is to make a
secondary or f;il.se sill, so filled as to al-
low the air to pass beneath Avlieii tho win-
dow is sliyhlly raisotl, and he forced down
into the radiator. In this plan tho rais-
ing of the .sash is unsightly, because the
free air space below is not visible, and
there is a notable leak of cold air at the
line where the two meeting-rails of the
sash have separated. iMorcovor, this plan
is fitted only lo the sliding-sash; it is uot
possible to arrange it for hinged sashes
opening outward or inward. Yet Avhen
all goes well it is an admirable way of
heating and ventilating a room; but the
occupants of a room AVIIO care enough
about fresh air to take pains iu adjusting
the apparatus are few. The obvious ad-
vantages of the system haA'e .suggested cer-
tain iuvenlious which may reach greater
development and be easier to describe in
the f ului'o than now.
The fault found Avitli radiators general-
ly, and AviUi Avhat is called warming by
direct radiation, is that it gives n o supply
of fresh air. The answer to that objec-
tion is that if the occupant of the room
cares for fresh air, he Avill get it; and that
if he does not like fresh air he Avill be very
apt to cut it off, no matter how much you
furnish him with conduits for its supply.
Every person who has made a study of
AA'arming and ventilating iiublic build-
ings of any sort has met Avith the sloven-
ly janitor, Avho, being sure that h e knows
all about it, and being left wholly in
chai'ge of the buildiug, pastes paper over
one aperture, and keeps another closed by
means of its own register, while admitting
air only by conduits which Avere meant
for its exit. Direct radiation is more
cleanlj', because the njiward rush of warm
air brings dust into the room; and it is
economical, because there is no warmth
thrown away upon the Avails of the flues.
Moreover, Avlien the individuals sitting iu
the room feel the direct rays of heat is-
suing from the warmed iron, the atmos-
phere of the room need not be kept at a
liigh temperature. This la.st considera-
tion is rather iinxiortant You may sit
ill comfort in an aluiosphero of fifty de-
grees Avheu you feel the beat directly
communicated it) your body from a glow-
ing fire or a stack of hot pijies, Avhereas
you would need the temperature raised
by fifteen degrees if tho dii-ect radiation
Avere removed. The Romans seem to
have warmed their rooms almost solely
bj' nicaus of radiation from the floor, and
the uioderu engineer is trying to intro-
duce that plan into public buildings.
HEATING BY INDIRECT RADIATION.
I u indirect radiation air is warmed by
a hot-air furnace, by a iiuniber of steaui-
lieatcd radiators, or by radiators heated
by hot water, and is conducted to the
room in pipes or flues. The advantage
of this method is mainly the absence of
tho radiator from the room itself, as hint-
ed at above, and in a secondary degree the
continual supply of iiewlj' warmed air,
which in a sense, though not completely,
ventilates the room. The disadvantage
is mainly the dust which the warmed air
brings in Avitli it, nnd the presence in the
AA'alls of large pipes opening iuto this and
oUier rooms, and capable of conducting
sound up and down and across, and of
carrying with it all those disadvantages
which hoUoAV walls aud a house not mas-
sively built cannot escape from. Regis-
ters are never put in the floors nowadays;
the objection to them AA'US of courae their
facility for gathering dirt, which, dried
and resolved into powder, came back iuto
the room iu the form of dust. All o u r
registers uoA\'adays are in the walls, and a
serious annoyance they are to the house-
holder who wishes to place his furniture.
Some architects try hai*d to get their I'e-
gistera into ihe marble or slate facing
around the fireplace, reasoning that here
is a part of the wall surface abandoned
by the very nature of the case to Uie d u t y
of giving heat to t h e apartment, and
where no piece of furniture Avould ever
be set. Here, too, is a brick chimney-
breast in which the heating-flue might
easily be made absolutely safe from un-
due contact with combustible material.
I t is hai-d to say Avhy this plau is n o t
used more frequently; probably the main
cause of it is that as the furnace is placed
naturally in the middle of the house, the
fitters try Imi'd to diminish the horizontal
reach of the pipes below, and to send them
u p vertically through those walls or par-
titions Avliich are nearest to the furnace.
This of course is sound reasoning, but it
lends to an unfortunate result wheu it
brings the radiator in the middle of t h e
Avail Avliere th-j chief pieces of furuiture
must needs be placed.
 1900
• Architecture for Modern Times with
Plans & Estimates.... 1900
 With PlaBs and Estimates.
' HILE the aim of this department is to give a practical ex-
position of the science of Architecture as modified by
modem thought and necessity, and more especially in ita
relation to the bnilding of country homes, a brief introductory al-
lusion may be made to the general principles of architectural beauty, which,
though founded upon ideas evolved and matured by the ancients, are to-^ay
the main sources of inspiration for the builder who seeks to render what he
builds beautifid as well as convenient and comfortable. Many as may be the
styles of architecture, the science is divided into five great original divisions,
known as the Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, Tuscan and Composite orders. Of
these, the three first named are of Greek origin; the last two are Roman
adaptations of the former, the Composite order being a rich and glowing union
_ of the Ionic and Corinthian, while the Tuscan is merely an elaboration of the
Doric With the political partition of the Roman Empire came a division of
its architecture into the Byzantine, which became tinged with orientalism, indicated in its richness of color and decoration, and
the Early Christian and Romanesque, both of which are more simple. Among other styles which strongly influence modem
building are the Gothic, and the Renaissance, which is a revival of Grecian architecture adapted to modem requirements. Other
styles, which are very seldom resorted to, are the Egyptian, marked by sloping walls, great solidity, and ornamentation in hiero-
glyphics and the lotus-Sower; the Assyrian, of fantastic design, with huge flights of stairs and lengthy terraces; the Chinese, char-
acterized by curling eaves and a succession of roofs tapering one above the other; the Indian, exemplified by temples cut from
the solid rock, and the Moorish, richest of all in its combination of light colors and elaboration of minute and beautiful details.

PRACTICAL ARCHITECTURE. ^•::^

A commendable tendency of the times is to combine in all things beauty and utility. A hoiue is the physical exponent of the
standing and character, the tastes and aspirations of i u owner, and nothing is more worthy of a man's thought and at-
tention than the structure and its surroundings which he calls his home. In building a modem home in the country, it being al-
ways understood that harmony of outline and proportion is sought in connection with more indispensable requirements, tbe follow-
Ing excellencies must be constantly aimed at: Convenience of advantages can be greatly Improved by the planting here and
ammgement; tadHity of construction and repair; protection there of trees or shrubs. These^ too, may be advantageously
from heat in summer and cold in winter; means of ventilat- employed in the ornamentation of the actual site of the bnild-
ing and warming; conformity with the surrounding scenery. ing, care being taken that dwy should not be placed too nesr
These are tbe leading ideas which should guide the builder, the building so as to swell the Tolimie of dampness to an on*
and, as the question of convenient atrangement has an external healthy extent
as well as an internal applicatioii, thefirstmatter to receive con-
sideration will be. Building a Home.
After the farmer has made np his mind that he will build a
The Choice of a Site. home, the next thing to be definitely settled b the kind of a
In making the selection the things to be avoided should re. house he intends to erect Whatever changes in the main plan
ceive attention. Among these are a location on the north or are to be made are accomplished easily and at no expense be-
west side of a hill, and proximity of sluggish streams, marshes, fore the actual building has been begun. Therefore let the
bogs, swamps, tbe nuasma from which vrill poison die at- builder thoroughly embody in his, plans what he wants in hit
mosphere and certainly entail liability to disease upon those house, where he wants it and how he wants It^ before he even
breathing ft. The steep side of an evenlyrisingIiill offers an goes so iar as to stake oat the foundation. In this preliminary
objectionable posi- work, which will be
tion when other hills found to be full of
of equal height and pleasure, qp inval-
like conformation uable adviser wiU bo
surround it, cutting found in the wife
off the necessary who is to preside
amount of sunlight over tbe home when
The principal rooms it is finished. Her
of the bouse should keen intuition and
be so located as to ready inventive fac-
be well exposed to ulty willfinda quick
the sun's rays. The solution for any of
dining-room should &t agreeable puz-
get the benefit of tbe zles which arise from
morning sun; the time to time in plan-
principal ch am b er ning a house. Con-
and the sittingHroom venience of arrange-
should be located so ment, which is th«
as to invite tbe sun- creator of home
shine through both comfort, mnst be
the morning and the studied at every
afternoon. Either point when the work
the momlng or the of building the home
afternoon sun should on paper is in prog-
be secured for the ress. These desid-
otherrooms,parlors, erata should in no
etc., while the kitch- instance be made
en, bath-room, store- subordinate to ap-
rooms, etc, can be pearance. Withthe
given the locations which are least favored with solar rays. exerdse of a little ingenuity both comfort and beauty may be pre-
An elevated site presents many great advantages. It in- served in combination. In the question of facility of construc-
vites the snnlight to come early and stay late. It places at com- tion and repair many local issues will of course take part
mand a sweeping view of the surrounding country. It insures Availability and cost have a good deal to say on this subject
the presence of pure and salubrious atmosphere, nnd gives the Other things being equal, stone provides the handsomest and
best facilities for draining. AVith such a site, protected from most durable building material, as well as the most artistic,
the western and northern winds by belts of timber or thatches its unembelUshed surface always harmonizing with the
of higher ground, as near an approach as is possible to absolute scenery which surrounds and tlie foliage which enfolds it
comfort and healOifuIness, as for as location con govern them, will Next comes brick, which, though lacking the lasting power and
be secured. beauty of stone, presents points of utility and permanence of
Conformity with the surrounding scenery is an object fliot great value. Lastly, wood claims attention, and on its behalf
should not be overlooked. When pvossible place the house are urged its cheapness and dryness, its general healthfulness,
so that the occupant, no matter which way he will direct his itsfacilityofventilaUon, the readiness with which it is worked,
glance, may be greeted by a pleasant landscape, whose natural and its pronounced capabili^ of ready ornamentation. The
only offset to all these advantages is supplied in its perishable
nature; but with care this may be greatly modified. N o home
presents a more cheerful exterior than that of wood painted in
the bright and cheerful tints now in vogue. A propot of paint-
ing, a great mistake is occasionally made by the owners of
wooden buildings when they seek to have die surfaces con-
verted into a supposed imitation of stone or brick. At a dis-
tance the imposture may succeed, but a closer view dbpels the
thin illusion, and the clieap effect creates anything but the im-
pression which has been aimed at so awkwardly.
As a general, a very general rule, the publishers of snch
books as have hitherto attempted to handle the question of
modem architecture in a practical way have been content to
supply their readers with some good general advice on the sub-
ject o' the selection of tiie location and material of a house,
after which they bring the subject to a sudden and unsatisfactory
ending, by advissingthe intending builder, when he has got thus
far, to employ an architect and entrust to his judgment and d',»-
cretion, paid for by a large percentage on the actual cost of the
j house, the completion of the structure. Such is not the inten-
tion of this book. It has given the house-builder advice on the
subjects mentioned, and, having led him up to the point where
planning ends and construction begins, it will not there leave
him. In tha plans and specifications to be found further on are
provided clear and comprehensive data, by following which
any farmer, with the assistance of one or more competent car-
penters, will be able to construct the house which he has
planned.
Before these are brought nnder consideration, an estimate,
showingjust
How t h e Money is Applied
in the building of a $1,500 house, will provide an idea of tiie
cost of die various materials used in its construction, and will
form a reliable basts of calculation for houses of less or greater
cost!
E x c « v o t i o i i , 4 j yards a t j j cents,
Brick-Tvo'k. 13/100 at$S.a>
J""^**.
F l o o r i n g , 2/100 (eet
1^"<="
Studding and f r a m i n g
S h e a t h i n g , 4,500 feet
WeathCT-boarding.j.joolect,
Shii\fIcs ajii) idiix^Jug; i,gccatfs-oo.
Gutters a n d cornices, 196 feet feet nt j o c e o t s ,
Doorg, with h a r d w a r e , 13 ;it ^ . c o
W i n d o w s , complete, i4at$7.5Q
Bascs,4£o feet a t 6 c e n t s , .
Porches nnd s t a l l s
Painting and glaiinp,
Galvanired iron a n d tin w o r k
L a t h i n g and p l a s t e r i n g , S63 y a r d s a t 20 cents,
Grates and m a n t e l s ,
Sundries
T o t a l , including labor, e t c ,
Water.
A full supply of water is of essential importance, and the near-
er it can be brought to the house the better; and best of all if it
can be introduced right into the house. In hilly localities a
spring may be found whose elevation will enable its waters to
flow through the whole house. Failing such a convenient ally
of domestic comfort, a hydraulic ram may be employed to fore*
the water through the system of pipes with which the honse is
supplied. The ventil.-ition of water is essential, and for this
purpose cisterns should be left exposed and uncovered. With-
out good drinking-water good health will be imattainoble. Sev-
eral simple but reliable tests of its quality are given, among
which the following are worthy of attention: Good drinking
water cooks vegetables well, especially tbe dry kind, suck as
peas and beans. To the eyelt should be limpid; (r the nose,
scentiess; to the taste, insipid. After drinking in moderation
no sensation of weight should be felt in the stomach. If tiiie
water fulfils all these conditions it may be relied upon as excel-
lent Avoid the use of rain-water caught on the roof and saved
in cistemK, as, being impregnated wilh dust, soot, and other
impurities, it is necessarily impure. By filtration it can be ren-
dered drinkable, and it is a. good plan to build your cistern in
two compartments, separated one from the other by a watet^
tight wall of brick, with a space left in 'the bottom for a box fill-
ed with alternate layers of gravel, sand and powdered charcoal.
The water ^vill be filtered by passing through this box, and be
made safe and pleasant for use.
^Hien it is decided to ha\e n
Cellar
care should be taken to so construct it that the dangers arising
from fotd air, through bad ventilation and lack of the puri^ng
bunlight, are reduced to a minimum. A cellar which is
intended for the storage of vegetables through the winter should
not be connected with, certainly never directiy beneath the
dwelling. In any case it should be kept scrupulously clean, as
the foul gases given olT by decomposing vegetables are highly
detrimental to health.
A few dolUrs expended on an
f 6.75
o8&> Ice-House
tixa will be found to be one of the best investments the farmer ever
80.00 made. Up to witiiin comparatively few years ice was invariably
S7.00 stored undeiground, but recentiy it has been found that the
,ol3_oo
crystal coldness can be as well preserved in a house built above
,03,50
ground, provided only that it is constructed on a plan which
IJSJOO
secures non-conduction of heat into the interior. A very good
gj-.oo
5SA1 plan for an efficacious ice-house, to cost only $25, can be given:
04.00 It should be built of boards with double walb filled with saw-
lof.oo dust, or chaff, or fine straw. A large ventilating window is
27.60 placed at each end at the top; these windows should always be
53_oo open. Care should be taken that all the saw-dust is pressed
ijjoo solid, so that no cavities are left An ice-bouse with one apart-
63.00 ment 8 by 10 feet &°d 6 feet high, will keep ice enough for a
'73/>o
moderate family. .To build such a house will be required 216
jcoo
square feet of inch-thick weather-boarding, $3.60; 132 feet of
33-00
rafters, 10feet long, 4 by 2 inches, $1.80; 103 feet of slats, 7
fi,<U9>0S
feet long, $2.10; two doors, $2.00; shingles, 1,150, $2.9%
Total, $25. The employment of materials which are non-
conductors of heat and the securing of proper drainage are the
great points to be looked after in btulding an ice-house.
 S r BEAUTIFUL^ HOMES.'
THE LATEST DESIGNS FOR COTTAGES AND DWELUNGS.
*^-«—=*«—*~i<-
T HE principal motive in this work is to give moderate-
priced dwellings, ranging fixim £i,ooo to ^ , 0 0 0 , one
or two, however, touching figures considerably higher.
AVe realize that the architecture of the future will be more quiet
and less florid than it has been for several ye.trs past; we have,
tiierefore, endeavored so to treat the disigns that they will
always look well. Careful study has also been given to the
planning, the arrangement being comfortable and convenient.
AVe consider it better taste to avoid flimsy and trashy details in
tbe construction of our homes; the study should be more for
repose and harmony and less for ostentations display. The
picturesque roof is the principal feature in modem cottage archi-
tecture, and is coming to be treated more simply than formerly.
Many people raise the objection to the picturesque roof, that it
will get out of repair easily. But there is no reason why a steep
roof need get out of repair sooner than a flat one, providing it is
properly constructed.
The question naturally arises, i» looking over the designs,
"How much would such a house cost?" This question we
anticipate, and in some cases estimates are given. But it is
possible to do so in a general way only, as the expense of a
building depends entirely upon the specifications and details,
and on the cost of materials and labor in the location where tbe
building is erected.
It does not p.ay to attempt to build too cheaply, although
economy shoulcl be carefully considered. Take, for instance,
plate A. This cottage might, by leaving out a good foundation
wall, the cellar, cistern, etc., be built for $600 or ^ 0 0 . This
wottid necessitate setting the house upon cedar posts, boarding up
the under-pinning, and otherwise " skinning'' it, thus making a
trap for infectious diseases, Hot fit for a beast to inhabit, instead
of a comfortable home for a family to dwell in. On the other
hand, if the same cottage is built with a good foundation wall,
the cellar well drained, the firame warmly sheathed and other-
wise specified to be in good condition, comfortable and healthful,
it win cost from $1,200 to $1,400.
The designs and plans immediately follo\ving, numbered A to
L, are by Mr. J. H. Kirby, of Syracuse, N. V., and are selected
iix>m a series of twenty-four designs published by bun in 1885,
and constituting a "Portfolio of Cottages" which does credit
even to an architect of Mr. Kirby's reputation. These designs
are in accordance with the best modern taste, and represent that
union of comfort and artistic beauty which is now demanded in
the better class of home architecture.
Design A shows a small firame cottage suitable for a family
of modest means, but possessed of culture and refinement. By
reference to the floor plans it will be seen that the arrangement
of rooms consists of a living-room, dining-room, a small bed-
room and a kitchen on the first floor. The stairs connect the
living-room with the second story, and are what are known as
box stairs. The cellar is reached by stairs immediately under
the main stairs. This general arrangement is usually quite
economical. The honse ii approached through a commodious
porch, which sweeps down from the main roof, and seems to
Invite you 10 come under its shelter. The balcony'at the left is
entered through a window extending to the floor of the parlor.
The kitchen is reached through a side porch. TTie second floor
contains three chambers, with closets from each. This cottage
gave excellent satisfaction wben built
Design B.—^This cottage seems to suggest to us a home—a
home where the little child basks in the sunshine of a mother's
love, and where the broad, sheltering roof seems a guarantee of
comfort within. This coUage is also arranged so that the cost
may be kept at the lowest limit. On entering the hall the stairs
mount to the second story. From the hall we enter the parlor,
or living-room, which contains in one comer a cheerful fireplace.
A kitchen and bed-room take up the remaining space allotted to
the first floor. The cellar is reached by a stairway under the
hall stairs. The second floor has a small hall and three chambers
with accompanying closets. The entire exterior surface is covered
with sheathing or matched boards, to make it warm in winter
and cool in summer. Upon this sheathing in the first story are
placed feather-edge clapboards showing abont three inches to the
weather. The upper part or second story b shingled. The
general effect of this cottage when painted with warm, harmoiu-
ous colors b very pleaang.
Design C.—This design has an individuality about it which at
once recommends i t While it b comparatively ornate, h is free
from any of the flimsy detail which many associate with ttie so-
called Queen Anne style. Tbe broad veranda, extending across
the entire front of the house, leads ns into the vestibule or small
haBj out of which ascend the stairs to the second floor. The
sides of the staus are neatiy wamscoted,and have a rail attached
to same. The dining-room and living-room are connected by
an archway. At the left of tbe dining-room b a small bed-room,
which the architect has not placed there to please himself, bnt
because most people building a country house seem to demand
something of the kind. "So nice in cose of sickness," they say.
 It usually turns out, however, that they seldom use Oils, liltle
room for a bcil-room, but turn it inti a sewing-room, or some-
thing of that sort.
Design D.—This design is somewhat more extensive tlian
any of the foregoing. The house itself is even more pleasing
than the perspective drawing of it. In this building we gel the
soft, harmonious combination of colors, which, taken in con-
nection with the general outlines, makes an attractive appear-
ance. In ibis example, as well as in some of the others, the
porch, or veranda, is a special feature. The hall staircase has
an ample landing, which b always desirable, and it will
be noticed that the principal rooms and hall can be easily thrown
together. The living-room conlains a fireplace, and between the
kitchen and dining-room there are two doors, each double-hung,
to swing cither way. This feature prevents steam and the smells
of cooking from p.-is'ing to the dining-room. A bed-room is
arranged on the first floor. The kitchen is connected wilh
second story by a back stairway. In the second story we get
five chambers, with b,ith-room, having bath-tub, hand-ba«in and
water-closet. The balcony to the right, on second floor, is
reached tlvough the chamber window. The staircase window
has cathedral glass laid in lead muUions.
Desipt E.—^The exterior of thb design b perhaps more re-
markable for oddity than anytliing eke. The lower part is clajv
boarded, and the ujiper part is shingled. The inlerior, though
small, has the benefit of quite a spacious hallway, with a nice
landing staircase. A corner fireplace is abo a feature of the
interior.
Desigtt F.—This design embodies the usual arrangement
of rooms, the hall having a landing staircase. The boll, parlor
and living-rooms arc connected by means of sliding doors. The
exterior b plentifully supplied with verandas, balconies, etc.
The rooms are nearly all of very fair, size, and are all conven-
iently located.
Design O was arranged for a summer cottage, and was in-
tended to accommodate two or three families. The living-room
JiHKirly iJSy
is made large enough lo be used in common, out of which the
u|K!ii staircase connects with the upper floor. Back of theliving-
room \i a kitchen. The house is well supplied with bed-rooms,
and has a wide veranda extending all around it. On citherside
aljove the veranda are two large balconies. Tlie inlerior is de-
signed to be left unfinished.
Design H.—This collage is attractive on the exterior, and
desirable in the inlerior. The large reception hall forms a
prominent feature of the inner arrangement Its connection
with all the other principal rooms is such that by means of sUd-
ing doors all of the rooms can cosily be thrown together. Thb
collage would cost about $10,000, much depending, however,
uiKin the manner and style of finish. ,
Design I.—.\s a frame dwelling design I has given most
excellent satisfaction. A broad veranda cpans the entire front,
from which we enter the large reception hall. This liall has a
fireplace, and b connected by archways M-ilh the landing stair-
case, hall and parlor. The staircase is a beautiful feature in thb
house. A vcr^' desirable arrangement is the connection of
kitchen with front door by means of a second hall. The sec-
ond floor conlains chambers of good size, with spacious closets,
and good batit-room and water-closet
Desigti K b a brick dwelling, and adjoins design C. It will
be seen, by refcrAice to floor plans, that the liall enters the cen-
ter of the house, and communicates vrith a cross or transept hall,
which is lighted by means of an elegant cathedral glass staircase
window. A back hall with an open staircase b a good feature.
Tlie rooms are so arranged that idl are pleasant and commodious.
Design L gives us a brick building of semi-detached dwellings.
Thb house is three full stories high, besides the attic and cellar.
The reception hall forms a desirable feature, and the staircase it
reversed from the usual order. The rear part of the house has
no stairs, but b furnUhed with an elevator, extending from cellar
to attic. On the second floor b a large bath-room, which takes
the place of one of the rooms marked as bed-room. The first
floor is finbhed in cherry, the second in oak, and the third in pine.
 D e s i g n A. A S M A L L COTTAGE. T o cost, complete, about $1,400.

PRINCIPAL FLOOR. SECOND FLOOR.

 H.Kirl^i.-

Design B. SMALL COTTAQE. T o cost, complete, about $1,500.

i>SlNCIPAL PLtXlR PLAN. SECOND FLOOR PLAN.

Design 0 . A SMALL FRAME COTTAGE. T o c o s t , complete, a b o u t $2/>oo.

P&mCtPAL FLOOR PLAN. SECOND FLOOR PLAN.

 Design D. A SUMMER COTTAGE. T o cost about $2,000.

PRINCIPAL FLOOR PLAN. SECOND FLOOR PLAN.

D e s i g n E. A SMALL FRAME COTTAGE. T o cost, complete, about $2,500.

PRINCIPAL FLOOR PLAN. SECOND FLOOR PLAN.

 Design F. A FRAME COTTAGE. T o cost, complete, about $3,500.

PRINCIPAL FLOOR PLAN. SBCOtn) FLOOR PLAN.

 Design H. A F R A M E DAVELLING.

Stocp.

Summu-K.
ll'xie.'
"S
^"•^^j KHch.rf. q

'.Balcony m j "-"^"

Principal Floor. Seaonci Floor.

 Design I. A FRAME DWELLING. To cost about $6,000.

Roof

PRINCIPAL FLOOR PLAN. SECOND FLOOR PLAN.

 Design K. A BRICK DWELLING.

PRINCIPAL FLOOR PLAN.

SECOND FLOOR PLAN.
 Design L. SEMI-DETACHED BRICK DWELLINGS.

PRINCIPAL FLOOR PLAN. SECOND FLOOR PLAN.

 DWELLING-HOUSE.—Design I

^ \^

DKSir.N I.—BI.KVATIOK.

As long as the argument is indisputable that there is in a room, lafiby ISi C, <7,closets; IT, dining-room, 12 by 22; /,
square house, in proportion to the amount of outside covering, /, china-closets; _/, back porch, 6 by 7.6; A', veranda, 5 by 22;
more room Z, kitchen, II
than in one
of almost any
other form, a
large major-
ity who are
a b o u t to
build seem to
have deter-
mined to a-
dopt that
shape. The
dwellmghere
illustrated GROUXD FLOOR.

was built on a slight elevation. THE SECOND STORY.

PLAN OF PRINCTPAL STORY. The upper floor of this structure comprbes a hall, three
A, veranda, 6 by 25; £, hall, ia6 by 13; C, parlor, 15 by chambers, four closets, stairway to attic, two bed-rooms, bath-
19.6; D, sitting-room, 15 by 19.6; £, book-closet; P, bed- room, store-room and balcony.
 RURAL GOTHIC FARM-HOUSE.—Design 2 .
In thb plan for monotonous a p -
a rural home, with pearance of that
Ihe exception of a d e of the build-
the cornice on the ing, and balancing
gables and a few in a degree the
c h e a p brackets, mass of the other
there is no oma- side.
m e n t a t i o n to The main roof
cause an unneces- rises at an angle of
s a r y o u t l a y of 4 5 ° ; tiie w o o d -
money, and noth- house part is one-
ing likely to get story; rooli one-
out of repair, as fourth pitch. The
is ol^cn the case inside b finbhed
w i t h the flimsy appropriately,
ornaments attach- plain and neat
ed to s o m a n y The lower story b
modem cottages.. nine feet high in
T h b house is in the clear; the up-
tiie Rural Gothic per stor}', finished
style, a stylo to collar-beams, b
which, w i t h its eight feet six
broken outUne, its inches. The ceUar
verandas and bay imder kitchen and
windows, ex- dining-room i s
presses no small well lighted, and
amount of domestic and home feeling.

7 X R S T FLOOR.
P, Parlor; D, Dlnlns.Room; K, Kitchen; B, B, Bed-Rooms; C,
Qoset; E, Bath; P, Pantry; K, K.ATerandas; Jf, Wood-house.
The house was planned for a family who lum to do their own
work; therefore utility, compactness and economy of labor were
first considered. Yetthecxteroal appearance is quite picturesque
andtruthfuL The part containing the two bed-rooms, bathing
and clothes-room is quite economically obtained, it being a lean-
to addition, one stoty high, with a flattish rooC Above this is a
{ ^ l e d window, witii i u stool resthig on this roof. T h b gable
rises to the height of the main roof, thus brealung the otherwbe
szcoND rtooR
i/,£,i?,Bed-Rooms; C,Chamber, e,£. Closets; P , Passage
the chimney, standing in the centre, is furnished with open-
ingp for ventilation, With this arrangement the cellar can be
kept sweet and wholesome. The rooms are warmed by stoves.
Fire-places may be easily built in the dining-room and kitchen,
if desired. The batiiing-room is easily accessible, it being con-
nected wilh the kitchen bed-room, which renders it a convenient
and useful apartment
The cost of this house, with a light timber frame, dapboarded,
lined on the inside with inch lumber, then furred with strip lath,
lathed and plastered wilh tn-o coats finish, is abotit $ i , l o a
 A RURAL GOTHIC COTTAGE—Design 3.
RUHAI. COTHIC COTTACB.
This is an admirable de-
sign for internal conven-
ience. The plan of the
first floor shows the kit-
chen and one bed-room on
the some floor with the
living-rooms. The kitchen
is a wing added to the
rear, and is one story in
height The situation on
which this dwelling b
placed has a prospect in
one direction only, and
the front shown in the
elevation, commands this
\'iew, the rear being nearly
hidden by trees. On this
front are situated two
pleasant apartments, each
17 by 20 feet opening from
the vestibule or entrance
hall by large double doors,
which, when fully opened,
will throw these two rooms
and the vestibule into one
large apartment. Some ele-
gance is conferred on the
parlor by the bay-window,
which is bal.inced by a
double window opposite,
in the diniog-room. The
living-room, or library,
commands a pantiy of
convenient size, in the rear
of"which b a closet open-
ing into the halL Thb
hall is of ample size to
serve as a dining-room.
There is a glazed back
door opening to tiie rear
C K O i r n D J-LAW.
of the house, and a door opening into the kitchen passage, i, on
the right. The hall also receives light from the window over
thb door, in the second story. This passage is formed by run-
ning a solid partition across the kitchen building, so as to admit
of two doors, in order to prevent sraells—one an ordinary door
opening into the hall, and the other a fly or spring door opening
into the kitchen. This partition obo gives room for two closets,
one for the kitchen ond another for the bed-room. The eleva-
tion of this cottage will admit of great irregidarity and pictur-
esqueness of oudme, and is productive of beautifiil effects. A
very pleasing mode of covering the roof is shown in the eleva-
tion. This cottage should be built of brick.

RURAL COTTAGE.—Design 4.
The accom- inches by 14 feet
panying plan of 6 in. ; Library,
a rural cottage IS feet by 14 feet
was awarded a
6 inches; Kitch-
premium which
tn, 12 f e e t 6
was offered some
inches by 13 feet
few years ago.
6inches; Wash-
The ouiside ap-
Room, 12 feet by
pearance b at-
t r a c t i v e , light 8 feet; Hall, 6
and p l e a s a n t feet 5 inches in
and is not over- width.
ornamental, a SECOND STORY.
great fault with A, bed-room,
m a n y modem
14 feet 5 inches
houses. The
b y II f e e t 9
rooms are large
inches; B,
and most con-
venientiy arrang- chamber, 18 feet
ed/every room of 9 inches by 15
the ground floor f e e t ; C, C,
b e i n g pleasant bolls; D, bed-
e n o u g i k for a room, 9 feet 6
parlor or a liv- inches by 11 feet;
ing-room. R U R A L COTTAGB. H, bed - room,
14 feet 6 Inches
GRODNO FLAN. by II feet; F, servants' bed-room, 12 feet 6 inches by 14 feet
D. J?., dining-room, iSfeet9 inches by 15 tctv,Parlor, i8feet9 ft inches; G, passage, j feet 6 inches in width.

GROUim PLAN. SECOND BTORT.

 A SOUTHERN COTTAGE.—Design 5.

A S O U T H E R N COTTAGE.

This design is intended to be built of frame, and tiie roof to be shingled. It should stand at such a distance from tiie road as
to afford sufficient space for ornamental shrubbery, walks, etc. The cost of the building should fall witiim tiie bmits of $2,000.
Upon the principal floor tiie porch gives access to the hall, which opens into tiie parlor and dining-room; the kitchen is well
placed, and ample in sue. The second floor conlains a hall and three liberal-sized chambers. First floor: / , porch;*, haU,
loj by IS feet; j , parlor. 12I by 20 feet; 4, dining-room, i s by 18 feet; 5, kitchen, 12 Iry 12 feet; 6, back porch. Second floor-
7, hall, lol by 15 feet; 8, chamber, 12J by 20 feet; 9, chamber, IS by 18 feet; 10, chamber, 12 by 12 feet

S E C O N D TLOOR.
riRST FLOOR.
 AN ORNAMENTAL COTTAGE.—Design 6.

•*"'^-i^

^m^

A N ORKAMBNTAL COTTAGE.

This is a good design for a lodge or a seaside or summer cottage, and looks extremely well among the trees of a camp-
ground. The porch is large and roomy; the living-room is of good size, well lighted by a square bay window. Tbe kitchen
is well suppUed with closets. The second floor contains three bed-rooms, very conveniently arranged, and each provided
with a closet. The Iwo down stairs rooms and the large front bed-room are supplied with open fire-places. The estimated
cost is from $1,200 to $1,600, according to locality and style of finish.

GROVND rLOOR,
 COTTAGE.—Design 7.

The elevation and ground plan here given of this cottage fidly explain it The upper story consbts of four bed-rooms and a
bath-room. Cost $i,8oot Ground plan: /,porch; ^, lobby; j , drawing-room; ^, library or boudoir; j , ouUide porch; 6,
dining-room; 7, kitchen; 8, scuUery. Note—No, j might be used as a conservatory.

(O

^F"^*-*
OD CO

GROUND FLOOR.
 A CHEAP FARM COTTAGE.—Design 8.
:^
^
This plan is appropriate for a
hilly or mountainous region. It is
in the French style of roof, and al-
lied to the Italian in its brackets
and gables and half-terraced front
The body of the cottage is 32 by
3o feet vrith i2-foot posts; the roof
has a pitch of 50° from a horizon-
tal line, in its straight dimensions,
curving horizontally towards the
eaves, which, together with the
gables, project 3 feet over the
walls. The terrace in front is 5
h
^
A C H E A P FARM COrTAGE.
feet wide. On the rear It a wood-
house 18 by 16 feet in area, open
at the house end and in front with
a roof in the same style as the main
*hoiise, and posb 8 feet high,
standing on the ground, 2 feet be-
low the surface of the cellar-wall,
which supports the main building.
The plan of the interior arrange-
ment any builder can follow. The
construction of thb cottage may be
of stone, brick or wood, either
INTERIOR ARRANGEMENT. producing a fine efiect
 A SUBURBAN COTTAGE.—Design 9.

A SUIIUKDAK COTTAGE.

yl, front veranda, lo by i6 feet;

B, hall, 7 liy 20 feet; C, parlor,
12 by 18 feet with bay window, 4
by 9 feet; D, dining-room, 15 by
20feet; .^.library, 12by 15 feet
with square bay window, 4 by 8
feet; F, kitchen, 11 by 12 feet; G,
pantry, 8 by 8 feet; / / , store-room,
10by 12 feet; /, coal-room, 7} by
8 feet; A', wash-room, 7i by 8
feet; Z, veranda, 8 by 16 feet; A/,
veranda, 4 hy 30 feet; A'', cistern,
9 feet in diameter; O, well; e, c,
closets; s, s, shelves; b, b a t h ; f,
back stairs; /, sink; / , pump.
Second floor—Hall, 7 feet wide;
C, C, C, C, closets; D, linen
closet; E, attic stairs; Ji', ser-
vants' bed-room, 11 by 20 feet;
C", g.itTet; B, bed-room, 15 by 15
feet; / / , bed-room, 12 by 15feet
A", bed-room, 12 by 18 feet Cost
of this building, $ 2 , s o a

F I R S T Ft-OOK.
S E C O N D FLOOR,
 HORSE AND CARRIAGE HOUSE.—Design 10.

nOHSE AND CAR RlACE MOUSE.

This is to be built of brick, with stone basement eight feet also be a stop-cock near the dstem to shut off the water in
deep. It is therefore designed for a side hill, unless the base- cold weather.
ment is dispensed with, which would be poor economy. The dimensions are: Main part, 24 by 26 feet; wings, 16 by 24
.7 is the stable part, with double stalls for six horses. C is feet; height of basements, 8 feet; fir.';t story, 10 feet; second
carriage-room for three story, 8 feet to plates. A
or four light wagons or cupiola with double win-
dows and flat roof, with
carriages. Z> b a cir-
staff in the centre, will
cular drive eight feet
be an elegant feature.
wide. F is an octagonal
Eaves should project
fountain eight feet in
two and a half feet
dUmeter. ff, H, are Roof not more than
harness-rooms. C L, quarter pitch. C o s t ,
C L, closets. L is lad- about $ i , o o a
der to loft
This is designed more
The hay is cut and especially for city resi-
fed from the second dents, and those farmers
story. A circular pine rlR&T VLOOR. in villages and near
cbtem, surrounded by large towns who can af-
sawdust occupies one comer of the second story, and supplies ford ample accommodations for man and beast Many wottid
the fountain through a small iron pipe. The orifice of thb object to the drive and fountain, and yet the small space on a
should be drawn down to a minute hole in order to save the single floyr that they occupy does not make them a costiy luxuiy
water and yet keep it changing continually. There should while the air of elegance that they convey could ill be dispensed
with by one who. has a generous regard for taste.
 A SUBSTANTIAL FARM BARN.—Design 11.

A S U B S T A N T I A L FAKM U A H N .

This plan is a convenient as well as a substantial one. As seen | PLAN OF SECOND FLOOR.
in the elevation, tbe bam b built upon a side hill which slopes This is used for horses, vehicles, etc Along the whole length of
to the east There are three the east side are staUs for
dbtinct floors. The main horses provided with \txj-
building is 50 by 80 feet and •H\\
one wing 40 by 40 feet The B are two finished rooms, which
26XSe D
basement floor is divided iu- 21KS0 are used as harness-rooms;
to several departments, each
H\\
M, a large room for putting
well furnished for the pur- away all the machmery and
pose for which it b designed. tools used about the farm;
F L A N or V A S E M E N T FLOOR.
Bis the manure pit, C, a. O, P, loose horse-boxes; R,
small cistern; D, a root cel- .11 11." . 1 1 . " .'II > • . " . • •

,pTnTTTriTrnTnTi
a stairway leading to the
lar ; £ ' , a pen for calves; p. basement or ground floor;
under the wing at the south S, a stabway leading up to
end of the mam building, b thiid story; T, V, trap doors.
fitted up with a number of The structure is well sup-
roomy staUs for cows. Each plied with windows, and b
of the departments has a light and comfortable for
door, g, g, g, g, opening to both moil and beast
F L A N O F S E C O N D STORY.
the slock yard.
 GRAIN AND STOCK BARN.—Design 12.

, GRAIN AND ElOCK BAHN.

This plan b a combined grain and stock bam. The grain bins are next north of the stables and form part of the partition
between tbe stables and main floor. They are four feet in widtii and have a capacity for 500 busheb. The bottom of the bins slopes
towards the main floor, and is tea inches above i t The bins have a free circulation of air on every side. The excavation for the
structure, including that in the yard, is, at the southwest comer, about three feet in depth, and graded to a slope of one foot
in forty feet the natural slope being one in ten. A trench is dug tiiree feet wide and one foot below the grade, and filled with
broken stone, that serves as a drain, upon which the foundation rests. The foundation walls are built of stone. The hrst floor is
divided into stables. A stairway leads to floor above, and there is also a place for harness. The forage for horses is put into
tubes above. The floor is double and is made ti^ht The manure is dropped through a trap-door to shed. The cost of the en-
tire structure is about $1,200.

DXaiON 13—A CONVENIENT DARN.

A CONVENIENT BARN.-Design 13.

This b the plan of a veiy convenient bam. The stone wall is laid in mortar and painted. The frames are all made of square
timber and joists. The basement is drj', sills two feet fi-om the ground. Grain bins so arranged that you can get to anyone of them,
capable of storing over 3,000 bushels, and four root bins, which will store Soo bushels, where they can be seen at any time. The
basement story is 8 feet; barn posts 18 feet long. The long shed is 2$ feet wide and 64 feet long; posts, 20 feet East shed posts
9 feet long. Enter the bara from the north, with team on upper floor.
 A SHEEP BARN AND SHEDS.—Design 14.
The n e c e s s i t y o f
furaiiihing shelter for
sheep in a northern
climate is, we sup-
pose, universally ac-
knowledged, but how
much is necessary for
the comfort and
health of tiie ani-
mals, and how this U
best obtained, is an
open question. The
a c c o m p a n y i n g en-
graving of a sheep
A SIIEUP BARN AND SHEDS.
bam is taken from
4 •^NOTEWORTHY SUGGESTIONS.:^*
Having introduced to the reader the specific plans, etc., which
will guide him in vhe erection of a home, a few general words
of advice and suggestion will be in order.
It will be \7cll to remember that no architect allows himself, when
planning a house, to bo guided by any cast-Iron set of rules.
A house Is a good deal like a suit of clothes, of which a fair fit may
be obtained nt tho ready-made store, wliile, if close-fitting and stylish
garments are wanted, the man's measure is talcen acd the articles
made to order. In the country care abould be ta1<en not to make the
house too high. Ground is cheap, and a home in the country which
S[. rends over a goodly extent of ground has a certain air of elbow-
Yuom and capacity about it that tbe most inogniticcnt four-stor}' city
d^rclling fails to possess.
\Vhen building projections, window sills, etc., take cnro to provide
a " deep molding " undcrne.iUi, so that rain-rvaccr will drip off. Olli-
erwisc it will gather up the dust upon tiicm and run down tlie walls,
leaving mouldy streaks behind.
AVIiore there is no plumbing in the bouse, the best place for the
baih-rooni Is next to the kitchen. Have the ranga placed against the
bath-room partition and place a large tin boiler on the buck of the
r.inge. From the back of the boiler carry a faucet through the parti-
tion to open over a bath-tub. Ily this means the carrying of water to
nnd fro is dispensed with. T o discharge the water from tho bath, run
a nmall pipe to a distance of twenty feet from the house and let it end
thcro in a larj;c hole filled in wlthloose stones and covered with eartli.
Tlie water when discharged into this hole will soak away Into Ihc
ground and do no harm, aa it is not polluted.
T o avoid rata or firc spreading through a house it Is .idvisable to
put one course of bricks in mortar at each Uoor level in all the fur.
rln^s and partitions.
For the finest effect of foliage use trees and shrubbery as a back-
ground and flanking for tho principal building. T o o many large trees
i a t h c foreground cut ol{ the v i e w ; besides, they keep out tlie sun-
Randall's Sheep
Husbandly. Wilh
those open ends
closed, it seems to be
a very convenient ar-
rangenient The
barn proper is used
mainly for storing
hay, and Uie wings
should be made of
suflicient size to af-
ford the necessary
room.
f
shine, prevent free atmospheric circulation, and injure tho hoiUM b j
concentrating upon it dampness and shade.
W h e n a low site for a dwelling cannot bv avoided be careful to have
a thorough sj-stcm of under-draining. Sec that the cellar-wall is
Tiused considerably above the ground and that enough soil Is spread
around tho house to make a yard which will shed the water r c a ^ y .
In a case of this kind every sanitary advantage offered by sun, s o i l ,
shelter and prospect should be carefully improved.
A square house includes more space within a given length of wall
than any rectangular shape.
Of the whole huusu tlie front, and of tlie front the main entrance,
should show the most pains in the direction of omnmcntatinn.
Cure in the disposition of rooms will save thousands of steps to
those who do the house-work. Kitchen and dining-room should al*
ways be adjoining apartments. The dining-room is the place tor Uie
china closet. A wood-shed connecting with tho kitchen by a covered
way is a great convenience in inclement wcatlicr.
A multiplicity of closets is an invaluable boon to the housewife.
Frame houses exclude thu cold much belter if the studding is
covered witli tongucd aud grooved sheathing, nnd t!:is in turn by
tarred paper, the v/ealher-boarding being placed over Ihe whole. Tho
sheathing and weather-boarding should be fitted closely around door
and window frames, and the tarred paper allowed to lap over a little
where a crack is likely to occur.
Where ingrain carpets, usually a yard wide, are to ho used, the eco-
nomical cutting will bo helped by having cither the length or breadth
ot each room some multiple of the width, ox fifteen feet, eighteen feel,
etc.
The dilfercrce between slate-roofing and shingles is about two cents
per square foot, and'wbcrc the former is used the difference in outlay
purchases practically everlasting durability, a fire-proof root, and
purer rain-water In the cistern.
If free from sap, shingles will last from twenty to thirty years.
A n attic, running the full length of Uie house, wilh windows at both
ends, will prove a fine drying-room in bad weather.
 -<IA $3,000 PRIZE COnAGEO

A $3,000 PRIZU COTTAGK.—ELEVATION.

The American Architect, in 1883, offered a prbe for the best The house is supposed to be built in Albton, Mass., near
original plan of a cottage approximating in cost $3,0(xx A large Boston. Labor is as cheap there as anywhere. Tlie Boston
number of architects entered the competition, but tne jury de- market is at hand, railroad accommodation easy, and stone-
cided that the accompanying designs, by W. £ . Chamberlain, work cheap.
of Cambridgeport, Mass., were incontestably worthy of the flrst The cellar walb are of 18-inch rough stone up to grade, and
place. While there is nothing that can be called eccentric in then 18-inch brick wall up to sill.
the architecture, it is a fresh and unexpected conception. There
b a certain dbtinction which removes the design from the or- Walls of first story covered with pine "siding," broad hori-
dinary type, suggesting that the occupant of this cottage has zontal sheathing 10 inches ^vide.
more social prestige than his neighbors. Above second-story floor-beams shingles everywhere, left
The pbn provides a piazza which is partially roofed for sum- untouched by paint or stain, to become gray with time.
mer, while a vestibule to the hall answers the reqiurements of a Rough boarding and lower floors of hemlock. Frame of
winter dwelling. The parlor and dining-room communicate spruce. Plaster, two-coat work. No wainscoting or hard-wood
with each other and with the haU. The kitchen has an ample finish. Mill windows and doors.
porch, which would, perhaps, better have been utilized for a Sizes: Sills, 4 inches by 6 inches; plates, 4 inches by 6
shed or wash-room. There is a celbr under the whole house. inches; wall-studs, 2 inches by 4 inches, 16inches on centres;
A fumace is depended upon to heat the various rooms, except partition-studs, 2 inches by 3 inches, 16 inches on centres; first-
the parlor and dining-room, which have open fireplaces. By floor beams, 2 indies by 9 inches; second-floor beams, 2 inches
changing the position of the btick stairs in the second-floor by ID inches (the reason for this is that the second story pro-
plan to the left side of the kitchen, some valuuble space might jects in two places, and has many unsupported partitions to
be gained. The main stairs continue up in a tower to the attic, carry); third-floor beams, 2 inches by 8 inches; rafters, 3 inches
where another room is obtained. ^ by 8 inches.
 Estimate of Cost.
E x c e p t for s t o n e a n d brick work, t h e p r i c e s q u o t e d f o r material are cost prices, n o t c o u n t i n g l a b o r o r builder's p r o f i t w h i c h
will b e fotmd a d d e d a t tiie e n d . O n t h e l o w e r floor, w i t h o u t i n c l u d i n g p i a z z a s , there are 8 1 7 s q . f t . A t $ 3 . 5 0 per sq. f t , t h e
house would cost $2,859.50. T h i s , w i t h p i a z z a - w o r k a n d t h e architect's c o m m b s i o n , w o u l d b r i n g t h e figure v e r y n e a r $ 3 / > 5 5 . 5 &
as computed.
E X C A V A T I O N , 5,500 c u . ft. = 204. en. Rouoii LOWER FLOORS, SQ. P T . OUTS. BO.„.
yds., ( a a i ^ f 44.88 Lower floor, 3 outer d o o n Si
C E L L A R W A L L (stone) 40 perch, 0 First floor (rc&
$3,50 (laid) 140.00 Second floor • 70a • '* ^ SI inside doors 484
B K I C K F O U N D A T I O N (8 in. thick) with Attic 2jo *' *' 13 windows . . . . . . . . . . . 1 9 5
vault, piazza piers, and a cellar piers, Second " lodoors 440
158 cu. fl. (24 Dricks to a f o o t ) ; 3,79a TotaI,e|i3 1,553 20J5 ** " 12 windows . . . . . . . . . . . 1 8 0
bricks, $ » p e r M. (laid) 75.84 Third " 3 doors 13a
CuuiNEY$,9,3Sobricks,«» $20 ( l a i d ) . . iSyjfio OlTTER COVXRINO. 8Q. FT. " " 3 windows 4$
First floor, siding ® ^30. 064 28.92 Total 1,561
FRAME. &<i,rt. Second fioor, shingles 816
Sills, plates^ outer walls and in- Third and gables, shingles 424 6J37—',S6>=4rf>!6sq- f t j = 5 5 3 s q . y d « „
ner partitions. s.Too Roof 1,405 ® 18^ I 99-54
First floor 1,3^3 CEILINGS 3o.*5
Second floor 1,480 Total 2,645
Third floor 300 P L U M P I N G (bath-room and sink only) 150.00
• 20 ft. to 1,000 shingles, 22 M., 0 f3.75. 82,50 G U T T E R S , 75 ft., (S \i^ 9.00
Second-floor ceiling-joists 643
Attic c e i l i n g - j o i s t s . . . . . . . . . 320 W I N D O W S , 24 large, Including sash, C O N D U C T O R S , 60 f t , <a loff 6x0
Roof .«,i(S6 glazing, weights, line^ sosh.fast, P L A S T E R B A N D on exterior (architect ,,
T o t a l , a $16 7,892 ia6.27 tirame architraves and blinds, & $5.50 132x0 to do the "scratch-work") 8x0
7 small ones, 0 $3.25 22.75 FURNACE 150x0
R o u e n O U T S I D E B O A K D I N O . gq_ ^-r^ D O O R S , 28, including nardware, thresh- P A I N T I N G (on outside, the lower storjr
First floor 1,311 olds and architraves, O $6.50 182.00 and all mouldings will be painteo;
Second iloor ^t^'fl S T A I R S , all told 140.00 shingles left as pat 0 0 ) 125x0
Third floor 384 NAILS 3,'i-°'* LABOR 700.CO
Root MOS UrrER F L O O R S , >,6ii ft., 0 %ia 48.33 T»vo F I R E P L A C E S (owner already has
N o n e in garret. tUes) • jo-w
OUTS, WINDOWS. •••^^ P L A S T E R (including lathing).
Totol »»i64».i4
First floor, 14 WALLS. , , . ,rr.
Second " 11 B U I L D E R ' S P R O F I T , 10 )I *64.t4
First floor 1.473 ARCHITECT'S COMMISSION, 5 < 150x0
Third " 4 Second floor. 3,35' OTHER EXPENSES 150x0
Third floor 712
3 o 0 2ssq. fLcf 660
Total 6,537 Total ii3,Q5S.5S
Total, ® I13 3,637 47.28

This structure is in the Queen Anne style, now becoming so
popitiar, and presents a neat and attractive appearance. The
conventional main boll
and stairway are dis-
pensed with, and in-
stead there is provided
a vestibule entrance out-
side the honse, from a
part of the veranda.
Thb makes the stairs
less conspicuous, with .1
approaches at the foot
from two directions, in
that way serving well
for general use from the
main house and as a
private stairway from
the rear extension.
The exterior presents
an angular and pictur-
esque appearance. Pro-
tection from storms b
aflbrded the windows
and entrances by the
extensive veranda and
other projections. De-
sirable shade is abo fur-
nished by the same means. The roofs are of dark slate, and a to the attic are placed above those of the first story.
cresting of ornamental iron along the main ridges, properly
connected witii ground
rods, serves as a protec-
tion against lightning.
The window openings,
having a single light of
plain glass in the lower
sash, contain in the upper
one several smaller tinted
lights, which, in a variet]^
of pleasing colors, pro-
duce a most cheerfiU ef-
fect
In Ihe first story the
height of ceilings is ten
feet There are four good-
sized rooms, each with
outiooks at their sides and
ends. The main entrance
is from the front veranda,
through a good-sized ves-
tibule, which is lighted at
the side by a cluster win-
dow of tinted glass, and
has side and end doors
opening to the parlor and
sitting-room. The parlor has four vi-indows, facing three direc- 1 on sheathing. The main roof is of dark slate, laid on sheathing
tions, each protected fiom storms, and agreeably shaded by the | and tarred felt The veranda roofs are abo slate, laid on
-<1A $2,500 HOUSED
veranda. There is a large open fire-place, and doors commun-
icating with the sitting and dining-rooms. The sitting and din-
ing-rooms adjoin each
other through sliding
doors, which admit of
their being used togeth-
er, as occasion may re-
quire. The kitchen is
convenient well-lighted,
has a large fire-pbce,
with range, and adjoins
a pantry. The rear en-
trance, or porch, is also
reached through a door
from the sitting-room.
The stairs to the cellar
and to the second story
are placed between the
diiung-room and kit-
chen, and may be reach-
ed from each direct
In the second stoty the
height of ceiling b nine
feeL Thb story has a
central hall, three cham-
bers, three closets and
FRO.NT ELEVATION.
a trunk-room. The stairs
The height of ceiling in the attic is three feet at the plates or
sides, and follows the raf-
ters to the fuU height of
seven feet A hall and
three chambers may be fin-
ished on thisfloor,with the
doors and windows placed
in tbe centre of the ends
of each.
The cellar equals the
first stoty in area. It has
an outside entrance, five
i^^^ windows, and stairs lead-
^^^K j^^^ffi ing to the first story.
Height of ceiling, 6^ feet
]l RtB'^
S^^^K
IEJ IF The foundations and
chimneys of this honse
are of hard brick, laid in
J^^^ * ^ ^ n i SSi^WBh^ a/' good mortar. The frame
iZfi
iiiiiil J^|«.J|B{M| ^^SS
b of sawed spruce, with
siding, for the body, of
clapboards laid on thick-
i^Syei- J - . ; . • 1 1 1 !J j ' - n - ^ nessed sheathing and
S^^S^^?- v'^SWMsSi
S3i«S?^w;c'^=!*^^^ building felt The gables
iind frieze courses are of
SIDE BLBVATION,
red-wood shmgles, also
inverted pine flooring. Theflooringoutside U of 11 by 4|-inch
T and G pine; inside, of il by 7-inch T and G spruce. The
windows Iiave plank frames, with li-inch sash, glazed with sec-
ond quality French glass. The doors are of seasoned pine,
paneDed and molded. The inside finish b clear pine, reeded,
with blocks. The inside walb and ceilings are hard-finished
on two coats of brown mortar, and the principal rooms of tiie
first story have neat stucxo cornices. The painting is two-coat
work, of selected colors. The designs for thb structure are
from the American Agriculturist.

rtnct •
OIII(JIQ-IV~M— -^iPH-r-n-

• ^
«v t.
•J

MAIN FLOOR. SECOND FLOOR.

Estimate of Cost.
160 yards exemvatton, at 25^ per yard $ 40.00 23 fuU-siied windows, at f3 each $184x0
15,000 brick, foundation and chimneys (complete), at $15 p e r M . 225.00 11 half-windows, at f5 each SS-^o
32 feet blue stone, steps and sills, at 30ft per foot 9.60 29 doors, at f 7 e a c h 203.00
1,000 yards plastering, at 3o)( yer yard 300.00 3 stairs, at $10 each 30.00
310 stucco cornices, at ao)f per foot .. 41.00 Veranda and porch finish 50.00
.5/xiofeet timber, at | 2 0 per M . . loo.oo 5 k e g s nails, at ^ each ao.00
100 joists, at i6|; each 16.00 4 closet flntsh ao-oo
250 wall strips, at i i i f e a c h 2750 Mantels 30.CO
4,500 leet sheathing, at 3|> per f o o t >35.oo T i n gutters and leaders io.ao
450 clapboards, at 16^ each 72.00 Carting '....^ *>.<»
SI banchcs shingles, at $1.50 per bunch 31x0 Painting iSoxo
24! squares slate, at $9 per square 220.50 Carpenters' labor (not included above) 240x0
950 feet outside flooring, nt 5^ per foot. 47-50 P u m p , s i n k a n d incidentals 60.00
2^50 feet inside flooring, at 4^ per feet. 106.00
5 cellar windovra, at $3 each 15.00 Total, complete $'r499'^
 f:^^.
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