' Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2016 https://archive.org/details/gentlemanshouseoOOkerr OR, HOW TO PLAN ENGLISH RESIDENCES FROM THE PARSONAGE TO THE PALACE; WITH TABLES OF ACCOMMODATION AND COST, AND A SERIES OF SELECTED PLANS. By ROBERT KERR, Architect; FELLOW OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTE OF ARCHITECTS ; PROFESSOR OF THE ARTS OF CONSTRUCTION IN ICING’S COLLEGE, LONDON ; ETC. ScroniJ dBtutton, vcirisrU, WITH A SUPPLEMENT ON WORKS OP ALTERATION, AND ADDITIONAL PLATES. LONDON : JOHN MURRAY, ALBEMARLE STREET. 1865. The right of Translation is reserved. LONDON . POINTED BY W. CLOWES .AND SONS, STAMFORD STREET, AND CIIARTNO CROSS. ( iii ) PREFATORY NOTICE. The call for a Second Edition of this work has afforded an opportunity for its revision, which has not been neglected. The facts and opinions, of course, remain as they were ; but there have been innumerable occasions for incidentally improving the expression of the author’s meaning, if no more, in the appli- cation of his principles to matters of detail. At the same time measures have been adopted for facilitating the use of the work as a Book of Reference ; and it has especially to be pointed out that, if the copious introduction of italicised words should appear to be a literary blemish, this must be the excuse. The subject of Works of Alteration, although of so much practical importance in the exposition of House-plan, had by some means escaped attention in the original edition ; there is now, however, added, in the form of a Supplement to Part Second, what will supply the deficiency. Several addi- tional Plates, also, have been introduced to illustrate this part of the treatise specially. The Illustrations generally have been occasionally improved ; and the opportunity has been taken of adding one special example (Plates XXXV. and XXXYI.) which will be useful in many ways. The Sketches of Architectural Style , attached to Part Fifth, have been made wood engravings, as an improvement upon lithography ; but the designs are as before. References to the Plates have been inserted at every step of the exposition ; so that the reader may have practical cases in point continually presented to him. The Estimates , which constitute the chief portion of Part a 2 IV PREFATORY NOTICE. Fifth, have received a certain important amendment. It was pointed out by an intelligent critic that the prices, as set forth in the first edition, appeared to he excessive. The reason of this did not consist in any disregard of economy, but simply in the circumstance that, London prices being given as the stan- dard, it was not made so clear as could be wished that Local prices in the country are so much less, according to the locality. It will now be found that the allowance for these Country prices is pointedly set forth in every case. The primary London prices are still as before, because they were right. The question of the application of the work to Small Houses demands a word of notice. It has been made matter of com- plaint that a person of moderate means cannot obtain from the book that assistance which he needs, because the majority of the illustrative plans are above his mark. To this it must be replied that these plans are not offered as models at all, but as cases in point for the service of the exposition. The work is not a book of designs for choice, but of principles for study ; and the reader who desires to learn how to plan a small house must be asked to take the same course as if he wished to deal with a large one, — the principles are the same. (See the Introductory Chapter to Part Second.) Throughout the revision of the work, as in its original pre- paration, one purpose has been persistently kept in view, — namely, the practical aim of the book. In dealing with such a subject there seems to be no need for attempting any attractiveness of form, beyond that which attaches to precision of ideas ; and the author therefore desires to be looked upon in no other light than as a man of business expounding in this simple way the know- ledge acquired in the daily practice of his profession. K. K. 3 , Harley Place , Upper Harley Street , May , 1865 . ( V ) PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. The purpose of the present treatise is to set forth a systematic exposition of those details of arrangement which make up the plan of a “ Gentleman’s House,” — a convenient and comfortable English Residence of the better sort, on whatever scale. Other departments of the Architect’s practice may offer more to his ambition as an artist or a man of science, but there is none which has higher claims upon him as a useful servant of the public than the design of Domestic Plan. Any endeavour, therefore, to treat this subject thoroughly will be received, no doubt, with every indulgence. It may be thought somewhat remarkable that the subject should not have been already exhausted ; for it is well known that there are few good things so good — and therefore so well worth describing — as a good English house ; but it is still more singular that no book whatever appears to have been published from which we can obtain, with regard to Domestic Plan (except indirectly, as in the writings of the indefatigable Loudon), even matter for suggestion and inquiry, far less authority for reference. The author consequently has to submit the present work as one in which compilation has yielded him scarcely any aid, but which has been founded rather upon the experience of practice, and the study of years, directed to all examples, good or bad, which have come within his reach. The intricacy and extent which the inquiry assumes, when one attempts to deal with it in any degree exhaustively, will become apparent to the reader by a glance over the items of VI PREFACE TO THE FIRST EDITION. the Index ; and how much has to be said upon many of these items may be perceived by noting the length of certain of the chapters. If the reader should experience surprise in either or both of these respects, the author has only to say that in com- mencing to write he himself did not expect either index or chapters to be s&long. London , November , 1864 . INDEX. Prefatory Notice .. .. .. .. .. .. iii Preface to the First Edition .. .. .. .. v PART FIRST. A Sketch of the Histoky and Development of Domestic Plan in England. CHAT. I. — Programme : Purpose of the inquiry, 1 ; National peculiarities of domestic plan, 1 ; General history of plan in Europe, 1 ; The English system, 2. II. — Eleventh Century — Saxon: Building amongst the Gothic nations, 3 ; Primitive type of their Dwell- ings contrasted with the Roman type, 3 ; The Saxon Hall, 4 ; The Chamber, 5 ; Royal Houses, with Chapel and Offices, 5 ; Saxon Castles, 6. III. — Eleventh Century — Norman : Origin of the Anglo-Norman Castle, 7 ; Two periods, 7 ; The first period in its inferior examples, 8 ; Castleton (Plate I.) , 9 ; Superior examples, 11; The Tower of London (Plate II.), 12. I V. — Twelfth Century : Monastic Buildings, 12; Castle Acre Priory (PJate III ), 13; Further development of the Castle, 14 ; Castle Rising (Plate IV.) 14 ; Con- dition of the Towns , 16; Manor-houses and Granges, 17; Necham's account, — Hall, Chamber or Solar, Kitchen, Larder , Sewery, and Cellar, 18; General arrangement of plan, 18; The King's Houses, 18; Remains, 19. Y. — Thirteenth Century : Works of the Clergy, 19 ; Progress of Manor-houses, and their preference over the Castles, 20 ; The Royal Manor-houses, 20 ; Additional Offices, — the Buttery, Pantry, Chandlery, Wine and Beer Cellars, &c., and Wardrobe, 20 ; Subsidiary Chambers, 21 ; Freeman tie and Woolmer, 21 ; Toddington, 22 ; “ Bedchambers ,” 22 ; Castles modified on the Manor-house principle, 23 ; Edwardian Castles, 23 ; Detail arrangements of the period, structural and domestic, 24 ; Remains, 25 ; Charney Bassett (Plate IV.), 25 ; Little Wenham Hall, 26. VI. — Fourteenth Century: Privacy introduced, — the Priest's Chamber; the Queen's Chamber, 26 ; Other tests of Progress : augmented accommodation and im- proved arrangement, 28 ; The Great Hall in its perfection, 28 ; Quadrangular Manor-house of the period, and its improved accommo- dation : Chapel and Chapel Chamber, Family Parlour or Withdraw- ing-room, Second Parlour, Lady’s Chamber or Bower, Banqueting Hall, improved Stairs, Wardrobes, Bath-room, Garden, 29 ; Bedchambers fully introduced, 30 ; Convenience not keeping pace, 31 ; Remains, 32: Wolterton, 32; Kenilworth (Plate V.), 32. INDEX, PART FIRST. viii CHAP. VII. — Fifteenth Century : Transitional character of the time, and its effect on plan, 33; The Common Hall in decadence, 34 ; Improvements in Sleeping-accommo- dation , 34 ; Supplementary additions ; Ewelme Inventory ; Ewery and Cupboard, 35 ; Chamber of Pleasaunce, 35 ; Scullery, Butler s Pantry, Bakehouse and Brewhouse , Stables and Stable- Yard, 36 ; Half-sunk Basement, 36; Wolterton Manor-house (Plate VI.); Oxburgh Hall (Plate VII.) ; Quadrangular plan without Corridors, 36 ; Remains, 36 ; Corresponding improvement in Town-Houses, &c., 37. VIII.— Sixteenth Century: The Tudor period ; historical features, 37 ; Diminution of the number of retainers, increased hospitality, &c. ; and further decline of the Hall, 38 ; Dining Chamber, Servants' Hall, and Entrance Hall, 38 ; Boudoir, Summer and Winter Parlours, increase of Bedchambers, 38 ; Corridors, Gallery, and Staircase, 39 ; Hengrave Hall (Plate VIII.), 39 ; Hatfield House (Plate IX.), 40 ; The manner of John Thorpe, 41 ; Remains, 41. IX. — Seventeenth Century : Introduction of Palladian Architecture, corresponding revolution in domestic plan, and introduction of the Italian Villa, 42 ; Basement Offices, Saloon, Portico, Symmetrical partitionment, &c., 42 ; Deriva- tion from the ancient Roman manner, 43 ; Stoke Park and Am- bresbury (Plate X.), 43 ; Sacrifice of convenience to grandiose effect, 44 ; The Puritan times, 44 ; Marlborough House (Plate XI.), 44 ; Preservation of the Elizabethan manner in the old houses, 44. X. — Eighteenth Century : Continuance of Anglo-Palladian plan, 45 ; Blenheim (Plate XII.), 46 ; Holkham (Plate XIII. , 46; Hall and Saloon; Ground-floor Bed- chambers, &c., 47 ; Reference to other examples, and general character- istics, 47 ; Review of progress under Palladianism unsatisfactory, 47 ; Advancement, however, of accommodation to the complete modern standard, — Dining-room, Drawingroom, Library, &c. &c. &c., 48. XI. — Nineteenth Century : A new era in domestic plan, 49 ; Various causes at work, — Revivalism in Art, Eclecticism, Classicism, Medievalism, 50 ; The Greek revival of no effect, 50 ; The Gothic revival of much importance in the reintro- duction of the Elizabethan model, 50 ; Its preferable general character, 51 ; Reaction, also, from Palladian stateliness, 51 ; New Mansions, and alterations of old ones, 52 ; Longleat and Toddington (Plates XIV., XV.), and references to other examples, 52; Subsidence of Palladian plan into the “ Square house,” 53 ; Abandonment of Base- ment Offices, 54 ; Great improvement in the arrangement of the Offices, 54 ; Present position of conflict of Styles in Architecture ; corresponding rivalry in Style of Plan; the Mediaeval and Classic types, 55 ; Illustrations of contrast (Plates XVI. to XXII.) ; Llwyn House and Old Connaught, 56 ; Osborne and Balmoral, 57 ; Bridgewater House and West Shandon, 58; Pair of Compara- tive Designs, 59 ; Prospects of domestic plan at the present day, 60 ; Competing merits of style, 61 ; Natural style of the soil, 62. INDEX, .PART SECOND. IX PART SECOND. The Principles of Plan as now Established. Chapter Introductory : Definition of a Gentleman’s House, 63 ; Scheme for the Classification of the Apartments, 63 ; Treatment adopted in the exposition by Chapters, 65. FIRST DIVISION : THE FAMILY APARTMENTS. „ r .„ Section I. — General Considerations. ('HAP. I. — Programme : Qualities of a good house, 66 ; Scheme for their consideration, 66. II. — Privacy : Defined and exemplified, 67 ; Requisite for both family and servants, 68 ; Superiority of Elizabethan plan in this respect, 69. III. — Comfort : The basis of the English idea of comfort, 69 ; Defined and exemplified, 70; Plotting furniture, 70; The Study of the three evils, 71. IV. — Convenience : Defined, 71 ; The Offices in advance, 72 ; The question of peculiarities of habits, 72 ; Comparison of the Classic and Mediaeval styles of plan, 73. V. — Spaciousness : Too much overlooked, 74 ; Its value exemplified, 74. VI. — Compactness : Defined and exemplified, 75 ; Common form, 75 ; In London houses, 75 ; In Country-houses, 76 ; Ready way of compacting large plans, 76 ; True and false Compactness, 76 ; Comparison of the two types of plan, 77. VII. — Light and Air : Principles to be duly esteemed, 78 ; The evils of borrowed lights, sky- lights, and wells, 78. VIII. — Salubrity : General rules, 78. IX. — Aspect and Prospect ; Difficulties in towns, 79 ; But general sacrifice of aspect to prospect also in the country, 80 ; The Aspect-Compass, 81 : Explanation thereof as to Sunshine, the Seasons, and Weather , 81, 82 ; The bearing of aspect upon prospect, 83 ; Compromise of conflicting claims, 83. X. — Cheerfulness : General principles and constituents, 84. XI. — Elegance : Subdued power the perfection of art, 85 ; Occasional conflict of purpose in decoration between the architect and the proprietor, 86 ; The views of the ladies, 86 ; Enrichment and dilapidation, 87. XII. — Importance : Defined, 87; A quality to be duly considered, 88; Often specially authorised in the Thoroughfares, 88 ; Comparison of styles of plan, 89. X INDEX, PART SECOND. CHAP. X III. — Ornamentation : Neither excess nor paucity desirable, 89 ; Examples of deficiency, 90. Section II. — The Day Pooms. I. — Dining-room : Defined, 91; Aspect, 91; Light; Prospect; use of Bay Windows, 92 ; Arrangement and dimensions, 93 ; Furniture, &c., 93 ; Fireplace, 95 ; Heating apparatus, 95 ; Doors, 95 ; Dinner-route and Service, 96 ; Hatch; Lift-table, 97 ; Service-room, 97 ; Intercommunication, 97 ; As a Waiting-room, 98 ; Closets, 98 ; Spaciousness, &c., 98 ; External position, 98 ; Approach internally and Drawing-room route, 98 ; Classic and Mediaeval styles, 99 ; Illustrations passim. II. — Parlour Dining-room: Defined, 99 ; Use of the term Parlour , 100 ; Compromised aspect, 100 ; Fireside, &c., 101 ; Furniture, 102; Modification of general features, 103. III. — Morning-room : Described in variety, 103 ; Aspect, &c., 103 ; Arrangement and furniture, 101 ; Position and accessories, 104 ; Intercommunication, 105 ; In- ternal position, 105 ; Illustrations, 105. IV. — Breakfast or Luncheon-room : Defined and exemplified, 106 ; Aspect and arrangement, 106 ; Illustra- tions, 106. V. — Drawing-room : Defined, 107; Character always the same, 107; Aspect, 1 07 ; End windows, &c.,for prospect, 108 ; Side or end how, 108 ; Windows and light generally, 109 ; Conflicting aspect and prospect, 109 ; Internal arrangements, 109 ; Theoretical scheme of the Parlour, 110 ; Furniture, 111; Special arrangements with upholsterer, 1 1 1 ; Intercommunica- tion, 112; External position: Lawn, Terrace, &c., 112; Internal position, 113; First-floor Drawing-room, 113; Dimensions, &c., 113; Secondary Drawing-room, 113 ; Ante-Drawing-room, 113; Conjunc- tion with other apartments for a suite, 113 ; Such combination with Dining-room, 113; Music-room, 114; Illustrations passim. VI. — Boudoir : Defined, 114; The term sometimes wrongly applied, 114; Regulations follow those of Drawing-room, 115; When in a Private Family Suite, 115; Intercommunication, &c., 115; When on Bedroom Story, 115; Conservatory or Balcony attached, 115; Illustrations passim. VII. — Library : Its ordinary character defined, 116 ; Position, 116 ; Aspect, 116 ; Light, 117; Arrangement, intercommunication, &c., 117; Dryness, ventila- tion, bookcases, 118; As a Study, 118; On a large scale, 118; Museum, 118; Spare room attached, 119 ; Librarian’s room, 119; Interior style, 1 19. V 1 1 1. — Billiard-room : * The Player’s plan described, 119; Dimensions, light, floor, 119; Ban- quette, 120 ; Positions various, 120 ; Smoking, 120 ; Illustrations passim. INDEX, PART SECOND. Xl CHAP. IX. — Gentleman’s-room or Business-room: Its uses defined, 121; Situation, and means of access, 121; Waiting- room, 121; Agent’s-room, 122; Special Entrance, 122; Aspect, 122; Interior arrangement, 122; Strong-closet or Deed-room, 122 ; Lava- tory, &c., 122 ; Intercommunication, 122 ; When in Private Suite, &c.. 122; Illustrations, 123. X. — Study : Defined, 123 ; Situation, aspect, &c., 123 ; Difficulty of light, &c., 123 ; model plan, 124; Exceptional cases, 124 ; Illustrations, 124. XI. — Saloon : A characteristic of Palladian plan, 124 ; Described, 124; Sola or Salon , 125 ; Adaptation to later plan, 125 ; Illustrations, 125 ; The Mediaeval Gallery, 125. XII. — Private Family Suite : Described, 125 ; Illustrations, 126 ; Modified arrangements, 126. XIII. — House Conservatory (and Winter-garden): Purposes of this Conservatory, 126; Illustrations, 126; Light, 126; Arrangement, 126; Heating apparatus, 127; Difficulties when at- tached to a Room, 127 ; Intercommunication, &c., 127 ; Aspect, 128; Winter-garden described, 128 ; Construction, 128 ; Arrangement, 128. XIV. — Smoking-room : Purpose, 129 ; Position, access, prospect, and ventilation, 129. XV. — Gentlemen’s Odd-room: Useful for miscellaneous purposes, 130 ; Size, position, look-out, and access, 130. Section III.— The Sleeping Rooms. I.— An Ordinary' Bedroom : Chance plan objectionable, 131 : Primary features, 131 ; Proper arrange- ment of an ordinary room, 131 ; Additional windows, shutters and draperies, 132 ; French manner, 133; Alcove for bed, 133; Doors, 133 ; Furniture, 133 ; Form, 134 ; Dimensions, 134 ; Closets, 134 ; Light and ventilation, 134; Aspect, 134; Alcove dressing -place, 135; Illustrations 'passim. II. — An Ordinary Dressing-room ; Dimensions, uses, and furniture, 135; Arrangement and aspect, 136; General principles of accommodation, — Bedroom, one Dressing-room, two Dressing-rooms, 136 ; Boudoir, 136. III. — General Arrangement of the Rooms : Common defects of plan, 136; Scheme of classification, &c., 137 ; Pro- gressive scale of accommodation, 137. IV. — Family Bedchamber Suite : Situation and seclusion, 138; Two models, 138; Constituent rooms and arrangement, 138 ; Attendants’ access, 139 ; Addition of Boudoir and of Gentleman' s-room, 140 ; Illustrations passim. V. — G U ESTS’ S UITES : Purpose, situation, and arrangements generally, and illustrations, 140. Xll INDEX, PART SECOND. CHAP. VI.— Other Special Bedchambers: Bachelors’ Bedrooms, 141 ; Young ladies’ rooms, 141 ; Invalid suite, &c., 141. VII. — Miscellaneous Bedchambers : Ordinary Bedrooms, 142 ; Subordinates’ rooms, 142. Section IV. — The Children’s Booms. I. — General Remarks : Such special rooms essential, 143; Of two departments, 143. II. — Nurseries and Suite : Considerations involved, 144; Day and Night Nurseries and their arrangements, 144; Nursery Scullery, and other conveniences, 145; Position for the Suite, 145 ; When connected with a Private Family Suite, 146; Ground-floor Day Nurseries, Ac., 146; Conversion into Guests’ Suite, 146 ; Strangers’ Nursery or Sick-room, 146 ; Illustra- tions passim. 111. — Schoolroom and Suite: Defined, 147; Complete Suite described, 147; Position, &c., light, 147 ; Conversion into Bedchamber Suite, 147 ; The case of boys, 147. Section V. — The Supplementaries. I. — Cloak-room : Its purpose described as a retiring-room, 148; Position, size, and fur- nishings, 148 ; Billiard-room for occasional use as such, 149 ; Ladies’ Cloak-room, 149; Illustrations passim. II. — Lavatory, &c. : Within Cloak-room, 149 ; Furnishings and situation, 149. III. — Bath-room : Described in various forms, 150 ; Whether one or more, 150 ; Water supply, &c., 151. IV. — Plunge bath, &c. : If required, 151; Swimming-bath, description and directions, 151; Plunge-bath, ditto, 152. V. — Water-Closets : Notes thereon generally collected in this chapter, 152; Axioms,— distribution, situation, construction, and dimensions, 152, 153 ; Interior closets and well-holes, 154; Ventilation in difficult circum- stances, 154. Section VI — The Thoroughfares. I. — General Remarks : These the skeleton of plan, 155 ; List of Family Thoroughfares, 155 ; Diverging lines of communication, 156 ; The same for Sleeping-rooms, 156; Tests of a good arrangement, 156. INDEX, PART SECOND. Xlll CHAP. II. — Porch : Defined and described ; both open and enclosed, 157 ; Correction of aspect, &c., 158 ; Carriage-Porch, 159 ; Door-mat, &c., 159 ; Porch-steps, 159 ; Illustrations passim. III. — Entrance-Hall : In various forms, 160; Distinctions of style, 160; Relative merits of Classic and Mediaeval models, 160 ; Adaptability of the authentic Tudor arrangement, 161 ; Wanning, 162 ; Porter’s-room and Servants’ Waiting-room, 162 ; Cloak-room, 162; Furniture, &c., 162; Ceiling- light, 162; Porch-Hall and double doors, 162; Illustrations passim. IV. — Garden Entrance: Described in several forms, 163; Not to be in connection with any Ser- vants’ Passage, &c. &c., 163. V. — Luggage Entrance : Purpose and position, 164 ; Illustrations, 164. VI. — Other Secondary Entrances : Business-Entrance, 164; Nursery-Entrance, 165; Secondary Garden-’ Entrances, 165 ; One for Family Suite, 165 ; Or for Invalid’s Suite, 165. VII. — Gallery, Corridor, Passage: Distinguished and defined, 165 ; Elements of Corridor plan, 165 ; Complex plan, 167 ; Relation of Rooms, 167 ; Lines of approach, 167 ; Routes of communication, 167 ; Privacy, 168 ; Corridor for Bedrooms, 168 ; Inferior Passages, 168 ; Style ; the Elizabethan Gallery ; its origin, character, and uses, 168 ; Further principles of plan involved, 169; Misnamed Galleries, 170 ; Illustrations passim. VIII. — Central Hall, Cortile : Their origin and adaptation, 170; The Palladian Hall and the Italian Cortile, 170 ; Distinguished in principle from the Mediaeval Hall, 171; Inherent non-privacy, 172 ; Disposition, 172; Difficulty of treat- ing the Cortile, 173. IX. — Saloon, Ante-room, Vestibule, Lobby, &c. : Saloon defined, 174 ; Its character in Palladian plan, 174 ; Garden- Entrance therein, 174 ; In reduced form, 174 ; Parlour-Saloons, 175 ; Miscellaneous Ante-rooms, 175; Vestibules and Lobbies, and their uses, 175; Illustrations passim. X. — Staircases : Principal Staircase, when to Bedrooms only, in Classic and Eliza- bethan plan respectively, 175; Back Stairs, or Second Staircase, 176 ; Private Family Staircase, 177 ; Bachelors’ Stair, 177 ; Young-ladies’ Stair, 177 ; Other special Stairs, 177 ; When architecturally designed, 177 ; Ordinary square open newel Stair, 178; Windows, 178 ; Circular and oval Stairs, 178 ; Double-flight Stairs, 178; Rule for steps, 178; Width, 178; Lighting, 179; Warming, 179; Basement Stairs, 179 ; Ventilation and self-enclosure. 179. SECOND DIVISION : STATE ROOMS, ETC. I. — General Remarks : Definition, 180 ; Family comfort not to be sacrificed, 180 ; Two modes of effecting this, 180 ; General rules still to govern, 180. XIV INDEX, PART SECOND. CHAP. II. — State Dining-room : Modification of ordinary principles, 181 ; Furniture, 181 ; Dinner-route, 181 ; Service, Ante-Chambers, Approach, &c., 181 ; Position, aspect, &c., 182 ; Supper-rooms and use of Family-rooms or Gallery, 182. III. — Sta te Drawing-rooms : As a separate Circuit-Suite, 182; Family Rooms in connection, 182; Picture Gallery, ditto, 182; Special principles of plan, 183; Aspect, decoration, &c. ; warming and ventilation, 183; More ordinary cases of a preserved Drawing-room ; and occasional Reception-Suite of Family-rooms, 183 ; Illustrations, 184. 1 Y. — Ball-room : Defined, 184; Arrangement of doors, windows (note on draughts' 1 , orchestra, banquette, dais, &c., 185 ; Common Hall of the kind for country-houses, 185. Y. — Music-room, Concert-room, Private Theatre, &c. : Music-room, as an apartment specially contrived for acoustic purposes, 185; Rectangular plan sufficient, 186; Harmonic proportions, 186; Other acoustic maxims of arrangement and construction, 186 ; Appli- cation of these to an ordinary Drawing-room, 187 ; Private Theatre, — a Music-room so far sufficient, 187 ; Stage, Dressing-rooms, space for Scenery, &c., 187. VI. — Great Library, Museum, &c. : Arrangement of a suite of Libraries in bays, 188 ; Artistic capabilities 189; Collections of art or science, 189; Arrangement of a single library of large size, 189. VI I. — State Galleries, Galleries of Art, &c. ; Reception Gallery defined, 190; Illustrations, 190; Lighting, doors, &c., 190 ; Model Picture-Gallery ; its lighting, width height, &c., 191 ; The case of Sculpture, 192 ; Coved ceiling-lights for cabinets, 192. VIII. — Domestic Chapel: Historical reminiscences, 193 ; Exceptional in our day, 193 ; Whether to be ecclesiastical in character or not, 194 ; Various means of en- trance, 194 ; Height, ornamental character, altar, &c., desk, &e., seats, 194 ; Vestiary, 195. IX. — State Guests’ Chambers : State Bedrooms not in use, 195 ; Guests’ Suite of Apartments reverted to ; Possible additions thereto, 195 ; The case of Balmoral, 196. X. — State-Thoroughfares : Principles as before, expanded and elaborated, 196 ; Corridor to a circuit- suite of Reception-rooms not essential, 196 ; Cloak-rooms, 197 ; Access for servants, &c., 197 ; Warming and ventilation, and aspect of Grand Entrance, 197. THIRD DIVISION : THE DOMESTIC OFFICES. Section I. — General Considerations. I. — Basis of Plan : Classification of Offices, 198 ; Considerations of work different from those of residence, 198. INDEX, PART SECOND. xv II. — Privacy, Comfort, Convenience: Freedom from interruption, 199; Separation of the sexes, 199; Scale of comfort, 199 ; Principles of convenience, 200. III. — Spaciousness and Compactness : Cramped arrangements to be discouraged, but excessive completeness in the Offices a serious error, 200 ; Compactness especially neces- sary, 201. IV. — Light and Air, and Salubrity: Maxims, 201 ; More freedom here than in Family-rooms, 202. Y. — Aspect, &c. &c. : Aspect, &c., now differently affected, 2 #2 ; Northward preferable, 203 ; Cheerfulness, 203 ; Distinctive character in design of Offices, 203 ; Appli- cation of observations generally to large and small houses alike, 203. Section II. — The Kitchen Offices. I. — Kitchen : Origin and present model, 204 ; Position on plan and relations to other Offices, 204 ; Purpose, lighting, coolness, dryness, ventilation, 204 ; Floor, wall-lining, 205 ; Doors, 206 ; Illustrations, 206 ; Cooking- apparatus, &c., in detail, 206; Fittings in detail, 207; Dishing- Kitchen, 208; Small Kitchens, &c., 209; Dimensions, 209; When used as Servants’ Hall, 209 ; Relation to Dining-room for service, 209; Prevention of smells, 210; Basement Kitchen, 210 ; Relations to other Offices, 211 ; Outer Kitchen, 211 ; Cook’s-room, 211. 1 1. — Scullery : To be conjoined to Kitchen, 212 ; Door of intercommunication, 212 ; Light and ventilation, &c., 212 ; Outlet towards Yard, if any, 212 ; no connection with Larders, 213 ; Fixtures in detail, 213 ; When used for secondary purposes, 213 ; Floor, drainage, 214. III. — Cook’s Pantry, or Dry Larder (and Larder generally): Defined, 214; Ancient and modern terms, 214; Maxims of construction, 214; Detached Larders, 215; Ceiling-ventilation, 215; Windows, 215; Fittings, 215 ; Refrigerator, 216; Heating in winter, 216; Floor, 216; Dimensions, 216. 1Y. — Meat Larder : Defined, &c., 216; If detached, 216; Fittings, 216; Special Compart- ments, 217 ; Walls and floor, 217. Y. — Game and Fish Larders : Game Larder, its uses and fittings, 217 ; Fish Larder, ditto, 218 ; Town houses require no such accommodation, 218. YI. — Pastry-room : Its uses, position, construction, and fittings, 218; Oven, 218; Pastry- dresser in Still-room, 218; Confectionery, 218. YIT. — Salting-room, Smoking-house, and Bacon Larder : Sometimes required, 219; Fittings of Salting-room, 219; Dimensions and construction of Smoking-house, 219 ; Bacon Larder, advisable to be removed from the House, 219. XVI INDEX, PART SECOND. CHAP. VIII.— =-D airy and Dairy Scullery : General model described, and fittings, 220 ; Dairy Scullery, its uses and fittings, &c., 220 ; to be apart if extensive, 220 ; Cook’s Pantry used, 220. Section III. — Tjie Upper Servants’ Offices. I. — Butler’s-Pantry and Appurtenances : Origin, 221 ; Position and relation, 221 ; Dimensions and fittings, 222 ; Plate-Safe, 222 ; Plate-Scullery, 222 ; Butler’s Bedroom, 222 ; Head Butler’s Room, 222 ; A small Pantry, 222. % 1 II.- — Service or Sideboard-room : Uses, dimensions, situation, substitutes, fittings, 223 ; Butler’s Service- room, its position, uses, and fittings, 223 ; The case of Basement Offices ; Dinner Stair ; Lift, &c., 223. III. — IIousekeeper’s-room : Purposes and relation to other quarters, 224 ; fittings, &c., 224 ; Store- room, 225. 1Y. — Still-room : Its origin, purposes, and position, 225 ; Fittings, 226 ; As Women- servants’ Hall, 226 ; Outer-Kitchen as Still-room, 226. Y. — Store-room, &c. : Purposes, position, and fittings, 226 ; When made a Housekeeping-room in a small house, 226 ; Supplementary Store Closets, 227. VI. — China-Closet and Scullery : Uses, position, and fittings of China-Closet, 227 ; China-Scullery, ditto, 227. VII. — House Steward’s Office, &c. : Piupose, position, &c., and accessories, 228 ; Kitchen -Clerk’s Office, 228. VIII. — Steward’s-room, or Upper Servants’-Hall : Purposes, position, furniture, &c., 228 ; Scullery attached, 229 ; Supple- mentary uses and requirements, 229 ; Housekeeper’s-room as a substi- tute, 229. IX. — Gun-room : Described, with fittings, 229 ; Position and requirements, 230 ; Substi- tutes in small houses, 230 ; When separate from the house, 230 ; Armoury, 230. Section IV. — The Lower Servants’ Offices. I. — Servants’ Hall, &c. : Purpose, 231 ; Relation to other Offices, &c., 231 ; Women's-room, 231 ; Fittings, 232 ; Incidental purposes, 232 ; Dressing, 232 ; Lady’s- maid’s Room, 232. II. — Housemaid’s Closet : Purpose, position, and fittings, 232 ; When more than one, 233 ; One for the Principal Rooms, 233. INDEX, PART SECOND. XVH CHAP. III. — Cleaning-rooms, &c. : Brushing-room ; purpose, position, &c., 233; Brushing-tables at Back Stairs, 233 ; Knife-room, Shoe-room, 234 ; Lamp-room, 234 ; Purposes and arrangements, 234. Section V. — The Laundry Offices. I. — General Kemarks : When to be a separate building, and when to be attached to the House, 235. II. — Wash-house and Laundry : Wash-house ; purpose, dimensions, position, fittings, and arrangement, 236 ; Laundry, ditto, ditto, 236 ; Relation together, 237 ; Substitutes for either, 237 ; Special Servants’ Wash-house, 237 ; Ladies’-maids’ ironing accommodation, 237. III. — Drying-room ; Hot Closet : The old-fashioned Drying-loft described, 237 ; Hot Closet, its construc- tion and mode of operation, 238; The Laundry as a Drying-room &c., 238. IV. — Soiled Linen Closet : Of much use ; position and arrangements, 238 ; Bin in Wash- house, 238. V. — Linen-room, &c. ; Purpose, fittings, and position, 239 ; Closet for bedding, &c., 239. Section VI. — The Bakery and Brewery Offices. I. — Bakehouse and Appurtenances: Purpose, position, fittings. &c., 240 ; Oven described, 240 ; Storage of bread, 240 ; Flour Store, 240 ; Fuel, 240. II. — Brewhouse : Apparatus required, 241 ; Other arrangements, relation to house, cellars, &c., 241. Section VII. — Cellars, Storage, and Outhouses. I. — Coal Cellar, Wood-house: Position for Coal Cellar, 242 ; Capacity, 242 ; Delivery, 242 ; Light, &c. ? 242 ; As an open shed, 242 ; Position for Wood-house, 242. II. — Ash-bin : Position, &c., 243 ; Offal-bin, 243. III. — Wine Cellars: Position, entrance, and other arrangements, 243 ; Temperature, artificial warming, 244 ; Fittings, &c., 244 ; Receiving Cellar, 244 ; Wine in wood, 244 ; Bottle-racks, 244 ; Butler’s Cellar and Closet, 244 ; Madeira-Cellar, 245 ; Soda-water, &c., 245. b XV111 INDEX, PART SECOND. CHAP. IV. — Beer Cellar : Purpose, position, light, ventilation, access, &c., 245 ; Bottlecl-beer, 245. V. — Miscellaneous Cellars : For vegetables, 245 ; Dryness, ventilation, &c., 245 ; Housekeeper s Cellar, 246 ; Fruit-store, 246 ; Men-servants’ odd Cellar, 246 ; Spare Cellars desirable, and Cellar-closets, 246. VI.- — Ice-house : Purpose and scientific principle, 246 ; As an adjunct underground, aspect, plan and construction in detail, and drainage, 246 ; Mode of filling, 247 ; Similar plan when within the house, 247 ; When built apart, 247. VII. — Lumber-room, Luggage-room : Position for Lumber-room and requirements, 248 ; When to be used as a Workshop, 248 ; When provided at the Stables, 248 ; Luggage-room, its uses and requirements, 248. V III. — Fruit-store : Purpose, position, and requirements, 249. IX. — Cistern-chamber, &c. : Cistern in roof, 249 ; Water-tower, 249 ; Pumping, 249 ; Rain-water- tank, 249. Section VIII. — The Servants’ Private Rooms. I. — Servants’ Bedrooms : Women-servants’-rooms, their access, size, position, &c., 250 ; Men- servants’ -rooms, ditto, ditto, 250; Dormitory subdivided, 250; Upper- servants’-rooms, and their respective positions, &c., 250 ; Superior servants’ rooms, 250 ; Stranger servants’ rooms, 251 ; Housekeeper’s Bedroom, 251 ; Ladies’-maids’ -rooms, 251 ; General maxims, 251. II. — Servants’ Day-rooms : Steward, housekeeper, butler, cook, and valet, 252 ; Servants’ Hall and Women’ s-room, 252 ; .Steward’s-room and Housekeeper’s-room, 252 ; Ladies’-maids’-room, 252 ; privacy conditional, 252. Section IX. — Thoroughfares, Supplementaries, and General Arrangement of Offices. I. — Ground-floor Offices : Route to Entrance and the men’s side, 263 ; Relations of Kitchen, &c., and the women’s side, 253 ; The superior rooms, &c., 253 ; The Back- Offices, 254 ; Three departments, 254 ; Staircases, 254 ; Lift, 254 ; Supplementaries, 254 ; Pump, 255 ; Dinner-bell, 255. II. — Basement Offices : Serving-room and Dinner-Stair, &c., 255 ; Staircases, 255 ; Kitchen department, men’s side and women’s side, 255 ; Relation to Entrance above, 255 ; Relation to Principal Rooms above, 256 ; Kitchen-Court, 256. INDEX, PART SECOND. xix FOURTH DIVISION : THE STABLING AND FARM OFFICES, ETC. CHAP. I. — Introduction : Stabling in town and country, 257 ; Primary accommodation and addi- tional items, 257. II. — Stables : Many forms, 258 ; Artificial condition of the horse, and scientific problem accordingly, 258 ; Stalls, their dimensions, width of stable, fittings, 259 ; Paving various, 259 ; Sloping or level floor, 259 ; Gutters, 260 ; Stable with central passage, 260 ; Non-absorbent walls, &e., 260 ; Dryness, 260 ; Light, 260 ; Ventilation, 260 ; Height, 261 ; Aspect and temperature, 262 ; Artificial warming, 262 ; Cleansing, 262[; Flies, 262 ; Door -and windows, 262 ; Corn-bin, shoot, fodder -bay, 262 ; Harness, 263 ; Loose-boxes, their dimensions, fittings, &c., 263 ; Gene- ral division of Stabling, 263. III. — Carriage-house : Dryness and cleanness, 263 ; Dimensions and construction, 264 ; Heat- ing, 264 ; Relation to Stable-Yard, 264 ; Washing-pavement, 264 ; Harness, 264 ; Fender stoves and wheel-tracks, 264. IV. — Harness-room and Saddle-room : Dryness essential ; Construction, 265 ; Intercommunication, position, 265 ; Heating, &c., 265 ; Fittings of a complete Harness-room, 265 ; Cleaning-room attached, 266 ; Saddle-room, 266 ; Ceiling-light, 266. V. — Grooming-Shed, &c., and Horse-Bath : Grooming-shed, its purpose and position, &c., 266 ; Horse-bath described, and modification of this shed for it, 266; Common open Shed, its uses, ‘&c., 267; Shoeing Shed, 267. VI. — Stable-Yard, Bide, Dung-pit, and Water Supply : Position, dimensions, and character of Stable-Yard, 267 ; Entrance, 267 ; Paving, 268 ; Covered Ride, uses and disposition, 268 ; Dung-pit, situation, various forms, liquid manure, emptying, and access, 268 ; Water-supply, 269; Drainage, 269; Clock-turret, 269 ; Dove-cot, 269. VII. — Hay and Corn Lofts, &c. ; Boiler-house: Upper story usual for such Lofts ; construction and requirements, 269 ; Mode of supplying hay and corn, 270; Fittings, ladders, stair, 270; Stores when on ground level ; fodder-bay, 270 ; Boiling or Steaming House, position and fittings, 270 ; Small Lofts, 270. VIII. — Servants’-rooms : In small establishments, 271 ; In larger cases, Sleeping-rooms over Stables, 271 ; Exclusion of stable vapours, 271 ; Mess-room and its fittings, 271 ; Staircase, 271. IX. — Farm Offices : A proper Farmery to be built apart, 272 r Ordinary attached Farm Offices alone here intended, 272 ; Relation to Stable-Yard, 272 ; Cow- house, dimensions, construction, and fittings, &c., 272 ; Calf-house, ditto, 273; Sheep-house, ditto, 273; Piggery, ditto, 273; Poultry- houses, various, ditto, 274; Cart Stable, 275; Cart Shed, 275; No Barn, &c., required, 275 ; Slaughter-house, 275 ; Yard ; paved path ; Dung-pit, 276. XX INDEX, PART SECOND. CHAP. X. — Workshops and Yard: General workshop useful, 276 ; Smith’s shop, dimensions, situation, and fittings, &c.,276; Plumber and Painter’s shop, ditto, 276 ; Carpenter’s shop, 277 ; Cabinetmaking and upholstery, 277 ; Work-yard, 277 ; Relation of the whole to Stables and Domestic Offices, 277. XI. — Engine-house : For water-supply, general plan, purposes, and relations, 278. XII. — Gas-house : General arrangements required, 278. SUPPLEMENT : NOTE ON THE ALTERATION OF EXISTING HOUSES. I. — Introduction and Programme : Special necessities of compromise in works of Alteration, 279 ; Forms of Alterations classified, 279; Programme of consideration, 280; Memo- randa of the chief defects for remedy, under Privacy , Comfort , Con- venience, Spaciousness , Compactness, Light and Air and Salubrity, Aspect and Prospect, Cheerfulness, &c., 280 ; other questions of Con- version, 284 ; Adaptation, 284. J 1. — Whether to Alter or Rebuild : Disappointment common in respect of this question, 285 ; Process, of calculation to compare the cost and the benefit, 285 ; Cost, 285 ; Value, 286 ; Simple form for the issue, 286. III. — To add Principal Rooms : Example of the case, 286 ; Addition of Dining-room and Drawing-room as Wings to a house of regular plan, 287 ; As a one-story addition along the front, 287 ; As irregular additions, 287 ; Proposal for Drawing-room up-stairs, 287 ; Saloon, Picture-Gallery, &c., 288 ; Secondary Apartments, 288 ; Family-Suite, 288 ; Old rooms made Offices, 288. IY. — To add Bedrooms : Instances of the defect, 288 ; The addition of a story, 289 ; If over new rooms below, 289 ; Servants’-rooms, 289 ; Nurseries, 289 ; Ground- floor Bedrooms, 289 ; Invalid-suite, 289 ; Dressing-rooms, 289. Y. — To add Thoroughfares and Supplementary : Cases requiring such Amendments, 289 ; Difficulties of enlarging Thoroughfares, and rule for guidance, 290 ; Illustration, — L ongleat, 290 ; Bath-room, 291 ; Water-closets, 291 ; Cloak-room and Lavatoiy, &c., 291. YI. — To add Offices : Instances of the kind, 291 ; Cellars and miscellaneous rooms in con- nection with the scheme ; also other Offices, 292 ; Palladian plan of Wings, 292 ; The case of London Houses, 292 ; Enlargement and re-arrangement of Offices (Plate XXXIX.), 292. VII. — To Enlarge Principal Rooms Outwards : Instances of the application of this principle, 293 ; The structural ques- tion and varieties of the plan, 293 ; Secondary apartments, and general advantage of the principle, 294. INDEX, PART THIRD. xxi CHAP. VIII. — To Enlarge Principal Rooms Inwards : Seldom desirable, 294 ; In connection with new offices, 294. IX. — To Diminish Principal Rooms : Cases in point, and principle involved, 294. X. — To Diminish the Accommodation Generally : Case of an Eighteenth- century Mansion, partly pulled down, and remainder converted, 295. XI. — To Re-arrange a whole Plan : A hazardous principle generally, 295 ; Instances requiring its applica- tion, 296 ; Process of conversion ; especial risk in old houses, 296 ; Illustrations of Longleat (Plates XIV. and XL.), 296. XII. — To Re-arrange Old Work for Incorporation with Xew : An everyday case, 297 ; Frequent fallacy involved, 298 ; (Plate XLI.) Restraint in plan, 298; Principles to be kept in view; Principal Rooms ; Roof taken off ; External modification, Situation, 298 ; General rule as to saving or loss, 298. PART THIRD. Notes on Site and the Grounds. Introduction : Questions involved, 300. Section I. — The Choice of Locality. chap. I. — Climate : Its several varieties, 302 ; considerations of level, 302. II. — Shelter : Aspects in question, 302 ; Wood, 303 ; Sites on the Coast, 303. III. — Aspect : Consideration in the case of sloping land, 303 ; Effect upon climate, 303 ; Weather, &c., 304. IV. — Ventilation : A question of shelter and level, 304 ; Effect of water, 304. V.— Soil : Its varieties compared, 305. VI. — Water-Supply ; Questions for inquiry, 306 ; Various forms of supply, 306 ; Various kinds of wells, 306 ; Qualities of water, 307 ; Question of depth, 307 ; Question of level, 307 ; Conveyance of supply, and apparatus, 307. VII. — Drainage : Considerations of level, &c., 308. VIII. — Salubrity : Good air and good water, 308 ; General considerations, 309. IX. — Landscape Gardening : This to be considered from the first, 309 ; Past and present ideas, 309 ; Features to be inquired for, 309. N. — Local Considerations : Hints thereon, 310. XXII INDEX, PART THIRD. Section II. — The Choice of Site. chap. I. — Introduction : Statement of the question, 312. II. — Prospect and Aspect: Primary idea of an elevated site, 312 ; Aspect to be considered, 313 ; Compromise of antagonistic claims, 313; Southward and Eastward landscape to be looked for, 313 ; Case of Northward prospect, 314 ; The best site and the worst, 314 ; Disposition of the House, 314. III. — Adjuncts of the House : The artistic connection of the House with the ground, 315; The usual adjuncts, and the importance of level ground for their accommo- dation, 315 ; Entrance Court, 316; Terrace-walk, 316; Parterre, 316; Winter Garden, 316 ; Architectural Garden, 316 ; Disposition of Offices, 317 ; Approach, 317. IV. — Sanitary Provisions : Ventilation around the House, 317 ; Water-supply properly situated, 318 ; Drainage of surface and House, its course and outfall, 319 ; Absorbing well, pump, cesspools, 319 ; Field and water vapours, 319; Cost, 319. V. — Position in the Landscape, and Artificial Site: Aptitude of site, 319 ; General notes, 320 ; Difficulties of artificial site, 320. Section III. — The Arrangement of the Grounds and Adjuncts. I. — Style in Landscape Gardening : The contrast between Classic and Picturesque here as elsewhere, 321 ; The Italian and English styles of landscape art, 321 ; Connection between the English style and the Gothic revival, and between the Italian style and Palladianism, 322 ; Features of the Italian manner, 322 ; Features of the English manner, 322 ; The rival merits, 323 ; Origination of the doctrine of the Picturesque, 324 ; Ruins and Baronial architecture, 324 ; Practical connection of style in landscape gardening with architectural style in the House, 325; The present system of mixed style, 325. II. — Carriage- Approach : Now almost invariably of natural style; How to be disposed, 326; Gradient, directness, dryness, 326 ; Privacy of the Lawn and Garden, &c., 327; Direction of approach — Northward — Southward, 327; Display of the House, &c., 327. III. — Entrance Court : Described, 327 ; Common to both Elizabethan and Palladian houses, 328 ; Recently again common, 328 ; Palladian examples ; Elizabethan manner, 328 ; Present modified form, 329'; Gates, surface, &c., 329 ; Open drive, 329 ; Dimensions, 329 ; Objection as to confined appear- ance, and remedy, 329 ; Illustrations 'passim. IV. — Terrace : Two varieties in use as question of style ; the balustrade the test, 330 ; The primary essential the promenade, 330 ; Usually on the Drawing- room Front ; width, continuation, elevation, steps, balustrade, 331 ; Illustrations, 331 ; When on any other Front, or in another position, 331 ; Bays, bastions, grass-border, flower-beds, &c., 331 ; Width and height of steps, 332 ; Aspect and prospect, 332 ; Shelter, 332. INDEX, PART FOURTH. xxiii CHAP. Y. — Lawn : Character and disposition, 332 ; Of picturesque style, 332 ; Connection with the House, 333. VI. — Flower Gardens: Several kinds, 333 ; The Parterre in its varieties of form ; aspect ; rela- tion to the House, 333; The Architectural or Italian Garden, its various forms and features, 334 ; Two extremes compared, 335 ; The treatment of surface-level, 335 ; Avoidance of excessive display, 335 ; Flowers in Kitchen-Garden. 335 ; Rosery, Pinetum, Evergreen Garden, American Garden, 335 ; Character and situation, 336 ; Fernery and Rock-Garden, 336. VII. — Kitchen-Garden and Orchard, Greenhouses, &c. :• — Form and disposition, walls, access, &c., 336 ; Statement of accessories in Garden-yard, 336; Gardener’s Lodge, 337; Communication with the Stables, 337; Orchard, 337; Greenhouses in Kitchen Garden, their aspect, Boiler-house, Forcing-pits, Hot-houses en suite , 337. VIII. — Conservatories, &c. : Notes as to general provisions, 338. IX. — Ornamental Grounds : Principles of general disposition with relation to the House on four quarters, 338 ; Statement of characteristic features, 339. PART FOURTH. Notes on Architectural Style. I. — Introduction : The perplexities of a choice of style, 340; What is style? 341; The connoisseurship of the age, 341 ; Reference to examples, 342 ; Plan of the examples, 343 ; Considerations of inquiry in each case, 343 ; The Classical and the Picturesque, 343 ; Classification of the ex- amples, 344 ; General comparison with regard to Site, 344 ; Scale of building, 344; Materials, 344; Cost, 344; Importance, 344; Orna- mental character, 344 ; Use of Style internally, 345 ; Influence upon interior plan, 345. II. — Elizabethan Style: Its relation to the ecclesiastical manner, 346 ; The material shortcomings of the period, and consequent inconveniences, 347; General merits on the contrary, 347. III. — Palladian Style : Its origin, and introduction into England, 348 ; Features of the style 348 ; Its prevalence and duration, 349. IY. — Elizabethan Style Revived : Circumstances of its revival, 350 ; Erroneous details at first, 351 ; But a nationality in the type, 351 ; Intentional irregularity introduced, and irregular grouping, &c., 352; Situation ; relation of picturesque architecture to picturesque site, 352 ; Scale, 353 ; Materials, 353 ; Cost, 353 ; Importance, 353 ; Ornamental character, 354 ; Internal style ; generally disapproved ; considered as for Thoroughfares and State Rooms, 354 ; Interior influence on plan, 354. XXIV INDEX, PART FOURTH. CHAP. V. — Rural-Italian Style : Its introduction as the legitimate successor of Palladianism, 355 ; Cha- racteristics compared with Mediaeval style, 356 ; Reference to Illustra- tion, 356 ; Situation, 357 ; Scale, 357 ; Materials, 357 ; Cost, 357 ; Importance, 357 ; Ornamental character, 357 ; Internal style; the usual manner preferable, being part of our constructive system, 358 ; This manner the so-called Italian, really the vernacular English, 359 ; Interior influence, 359. YI. — Palatial-Italian Style: Its relation to the last, 360 ; Examples in London and the provincial towns, 360 ; Characteristics, 361 ; Site, Scale, Materials, Cost, Im- portance, Ornament, Internal style, 361 ; Interior influence, 361 ; Adaptability to less important cases, 362. VII. — French- Italian Style : Comparative merits of English and French architects, 362 ; Charac- teristics of this style, 363 ; The gutter-member, great delicacy of projection, &c., 363 ; not to be adopted in England, 363. VIII. — English Renaissance Style : French influence generally not prevalent in English architecture, 364 ; Adoption recently of the French roof, and consequent modification of English Italian, 365 ; English treatments till characteristic, 365 ; Situation, Scale, Materials, 366 ; Cost, Importance, Ornamental Cha- racter, Interior Style, Internal Influence, 366. IX. — Medieval or Gothic Style; The vigorous character of modem Medievalism not to be disputed, 367 ; The great merit of recent Ecclesiastical Architects, 368 ; the universal adaptability claimed for Gothic Design, and the recent popularity of Ugliness, 368 ; More enlightened views, however, of the best practi- tioners of the school, 369; The real capabilities of the style, 369; Re-statement of the question of Style in the Eclectic form, 369 ; The characteristics of the style as at present practised, and the bearing of the illustration thereon, 370 ; Situation, “venerable site,” a wild site, a park, a street, 371; Scale of building, 371; Materials, 372; Cost, 372 ; Importance, 372 ; Ornamental character, quaintness, 372 ; Interior Style, unsuitableness of Mediaeval finishings structurally, 372 ; But if confined to non-structural detail not objectionable, 373 ; Internal influence on Plan, 373. X. — Cottage Style : Its prevalence, relation to the Italian, characteristic features, 374 ; Situation, Scale, Materials, Cost, Ornament, Internal Style, Influence on Plan, 375. XI. — Scotch Baronial Style : Extensively used, 376 ; Peculiar features, 376 ; Primarily French ; cha- racteristics of effect, 377 ; Suitable only to Scottish scenery, 377 ; Contrasts with other styles, 377 ; Situation, Scale, Materials, Cost, Ornament, Internal Style, Influence on Plan, 377. XII. — Concluding Remarks : Historical and geographical variety of Style limited, 378; the Mediaeval or Gothic class, 378 ; the Italian class, 379 ; Two leading ideas, 379 : The Battle of the Styles, 380. INDEX, PART FIFTH. XXV PART FIFTH. Notes on Accommodation and Cost. CHAP. I. — Preliminary Data : Statement of the two questions, 381 ; A third question, the relation of Building Outlay to Income, 381 ; The rule of one-tenth of Income for Rent, and its different applications, 382 ; Calculation of Rent, 382 ; Relation of Retinue to Scale of Accommodation, 383. II. — Modes of Estimating : Four modes, 384 ; By Bill of Quantities, 384 ; By Cube Measurement, 385 ; By Superficial Area, 385 ; By Number of Rooms, 385 ; Compa- rison of these systems, and preference of the latter ones for our purpose, 385. III. — Supplementary Expenses : Extras to be allowed for, and why, 386 ; Rule as to the allowances to be made for these beforehand, 387 ; Enlargement of the undertaking, how to be considered, 387 ; Professional charges, 388 ; Architect’s charges and duties, 388 ; Surveyor’s charges and duties, 388 ; The Landscape Gardener and the Engineer, 388 ; The Clerk of Works, his duties and expenses, 389 ; Landscape Gardener’s Superintendent, 389 ; Law costs, 389 ; Fixtures, 389 ; Extra on drainage or water supply, 389 ; Stabling to be separate, 389 ; Porter’s Lodge or Cottages, 389 ; The Land, fencing, walls, gates, &c., 389 ; Grounds and Garden, and the Landscape Gardener’s work, 390 ; Decoration, &c., 390 ; Architects Estimates mistrusted : the remedy, 390. 1Y. — Calculation of Prices, Cubical and Superficial : Data per foot cube at London rates, 390 ; Reduction of these to super- ficial prices, and to prices per Room, 391 ; Estimator’s Ready Reckoner, 392 ; Provincial prices, 393. Y. — Example of a House of the Value of 1250/. in London f (from 850/. to 1200/. in the Country), 394. VI. — Example of a House of the Value of 2500/. in London (from 1750/. to 2400/. in the Country), 395. VII. — Example of a House of tpie Value of 5000/. in London (from 3500/. to 4750/. in the Country), 397. VIII. — Example of a House of the Value of 10,000/. in London (from 7000/. to 9500/. in the Country), 400. IX. — Example of a House of the Value of 20,000/. in London (from 14,000/. to 19,000/. in the Country), 402. X. — Example of a House of the Value of 40,000/. in London (from 28,000/. to 38,000/. in the Country), 405. XL — Estimate of Stabling and Farm Offices : Variety of cost involved, 408; Approximate prices for Stabling per item, 409 ; Ditto for Farm-Offices, 409 ; Ditto for Work-Yard, &c., 409; Example of such Offices for a small establishment, 410; Ditto for a superior establishment, 410. XXVI INDEX, PART SIXTH. (APPENDIX.) PART SIXTH. (APPENDIX.) Critical Notes on the Plates. Introduction : Classification of the plates, 412 ; Their general availableness for critical study, 412 ; The mode and purpose of their selection explained, 412 ; The uniformity of scale, 413. PLATE I. — The Castle of Castleton (Page 10) : The accommodation in detail, 413 ; Elements of plan ; the question of comfort, 413. II.- — The Castle of London Keep (Page 12) : The system of arrangement, 414 ; Theory of appropriation of the apart- ments, 414 ; Subdivision and privacy, 415. III. — Castle Acre Priory (Page 14): Peculiarities of this example, 415 ; General remarks, 415. IV. — Castle "Rising ; and Charney-Bassett Grange (Page 1 6) : Castle Rising freely interpreted, 416 ; Charney-Bassett, its scheme of appropriation in detail, 416. V. — Kenilworth Castle (Page 32) : Of no practical interest; general notes, 417. VI. — Wolterton Manor House (Page 34) : An example still serviceable; the Hall and its relations, 417 ; Its adapta- bility to modem practice, and suggestions thereon, 417. VII.— Oxburgh Hall (Page 36) : The Hall as last ; want of Corridors, 418. VIII. — Hengrave Hall (Page 38) : Features of modern plan ; Corridors introduced, 418 ; The Hall changed in purpose, and not judiciously, 419 ; The principle of the conversion of the ancient Dwelling-Hall into the modern Entrance-Hall, 419 ; The accommodation otherwise; the Servants’ Waiting-Hall, &c., 419. IX. — Hatfield House (Page 40) : The Galleries critically considered, 420 ; The Hall ditto, 420 ; The State-rooms, 420 ; The Wings, 421 ; Summer and Winter Dining- rooms, 421. X. — Stoke Park and Ambresbury (Page 42) : Stoke Park an example of the faults of Palladianism, 421 ; Ambresbury in less measure the same, 422 ; The Staircases, 422 ; The “ Square House” as regards its supposed merits, 422. XI. — Marlborough House (Page 44) : The misgovernment of symmetry exemplified, 422 ; Thoroughfare doors at the window-wall, 423 ; The dinner route, 423 ; the Block-plan, 424. XII. — Blenheim (Page 46) : Unsuitably grand, 424 ; Regularity of features, 424 ; Miscellaneous notes, 424. INDEX, PART SIXTH. (APPENDIX.) XXvil PLATE XIII. — Holkham (Page 48) : A climax of Palladian plan, 425; The four Pavilions; the secondary Staircases ; modified symmetry, 425 ; The secondary Entrances ; En- trance-route and other features, 425 ; Aspect, 426. XIV. — Longleat (Page 50) : Skilfully adapted to modern wants, 426 ; The Hall and its relations, and Thoroughfares generally, 426 ; The Family Suite ; Invalid’s Suite ; Garden Entrance, 427 ; Aspect, 427. XV. — Toddington (Page 52) ; Designed without an Architect, 427 ; Needless irregularity of Block- plan, and conventional symmetry of features, 428 ; Palladian Gothic, 428 ; Disposition equally bad, 428 ; Aspect, 429 ; Random notes, 429. XVI. — Llwyn House and Old Connaught (Page 54) : Llwyn House a clever Classic plan; Equality of Dining-room and Drawing-room ; Cloak-room, &c. ; Service passage, &c. ; Dining-room light, 480; Old Connaught of Medieval character; Disposition of the Hall ; Service-room, &c., for Basement Offices ; Butler's stair ; Route to Entrance; Door of intercommunication, 431. XVII. — Osborne (Page 56): The Architect in a manner dispensed with ; instance in point, 431; A foreign character of plan; the Public-rooms; the Visitors’ Apart- ments ; the Entrance-Hall ; the Visitors’ Gallery, and other features, 432 ; Palladian restraint, 432 ; The Corridor- Alcove, 433. XVIII. — Balmoral (Page 56) : Compared with Osborne and Toddington, 433; The Entrance-Hall and Gallery; Public-rooms; Visitors’ rooms ; Garden Entrance, 433 ; Various points in the Offices, 434 ; The Staircase and Private Suite, 434 ; The Ball-room, 434 ; Aspect, 434. XIX. — Bridgewater House (Page 58) : The connection of the State-rooms; the question of circuit-suite for receptions and for a “ show-house ; ” The Staircase, 434 ; Aspect, 435. XX. — West Shandon (Page 58) : An extreme case of irregularity, 435 ; Entrance-Hall ; Suite of Public- rooms ; Doors of intercommunication ; Drawing-room ; library ; Din- ing-room, &c. ; Offices ; the Museums and Gallery, 436 ; Sham windows, 436 ; Compared with Plate XXXIV., 436. XXI., XXII. — Comparative Designs in the Classic and Gothic Modes (Pages 60, 62) : Model plans of no value practically ; conditions adopted in this case, 437; Plate XXI.,— Cortile, Entrance-Hall, and Staircase; Public- rooms; Garden-Entrance ; Family-Suite, 437 ; Offices separately treated, 437; Aspect, 438; Plate XXII. and reference to Plate XXXIV., 438 ; Refinements introduced, 438 ; Characteristic Gallery, Staircase, and Hall, 438 ; Family Suite ; Offices, 438 ; Aspect, 438. XXIII. — Kitchen Apparatus (Page 208), 439. XXIV. — Underscar — Grounds (Page 336) : A comprehensive and compendious example, 439 ; Aspect ; Objectionable treatment of South-east Front, 439 ; Drying-ground, Stables, Gardens, &c., 439. xxviii INDEX, PART SIXTH. (APPENDIX.) PLATE XXY. — Fillongley Vicarage and Woodheyes Park (Page 440) : Useful examples, 440 ; The Parsonage : — Aspect ; Dinner-service ; Side-Entrance ; Porch and Hall, &c., 440 ; Woodheyes Park : — Porch and Hall ; Dinner-service ; Room-doors ; Kitchen vapours ; Morning-room ; Cloak-room ; Back Stan - ; Stables, &c., 440. XXVI. — Bylaugh Hall (Page 440) : A good Classical plan, 441 ; motive of disposition of Rooms ; Principal Staircase and Dinner-Stair ; Gentleman's-room and Library ; door in Dinner-Stair ; doors of Gentleman’s-room ; Entrance-Hall and Porter’ s- room, 441. XXVII. — Stormont Castle (Page 442) : Of mixed Mediaeval type, 441 ; Entrance-apartments ; Family-Suite ; Dinner-service ; no Back-Stair ; intercommunications ; subdivision of Drawing-rooms, &c., 441. XXVIII.— Walton (Page 442) : An unusually stately plan, 442; Entrance-Corridor; Dining-room; Kitchen ; Library, &c. ; Servants’ access to Entrance ; Offices generally ; Terrace ; peculiar habits, 442. XXIX. — Mr. Kemp’s Model Plan, and Hinderton (Page 444) : The model-plan, — want of vitality in all such, 443 ; South-east Front ; Dining-room mistaken ; Hall and Corridor ; Conservatory ; Drawing- room ; Gentleman's-room ; Butler’s Pantry, &c., a blunder ; general value of the plan, 443 ; Hinderton much superior ; Entrance and Staircase; Cloak-room; Dining-room and service; Offices; Conser- vatory ; Objectionable relations of doors to fireplaces, 443. XXX. — IIemstead (Page 444) : A mediae valized Classical plan, 444 ; Entrance ; Hall and Staircase of peculiar character ; Saloon ; other Public-rooms ; Dining-room ; secondary Entrances, Lift, and Men’s-Stair ; Business-room ; Kitchen Offices and others, 444. XXXI. — Nun- Appleton (Page 446) : The old and new portions, 445 ; Office-Entrance ; Drawing-rooms ; sug- gested Hall ; Drawing-room aspect and prospect ; Conservatory, &c. ; Billiard-room as part of Corridor ; Dining-room peculiar, also Library and Gentleman’s-room ; probable reasons ; Offices ; avoidance of Base- ment Offices ; ingenious Plate-closet ; Servants’-rooms arranged for aspect ; particular interest of this plan, 445. XXXII. — Somerleyton Hall (Page 446) : Amateur architecture, 446 ; Entrance-Court and Landscape Gardening, 447 ; Entrance-Hall, Cloak-rooms, Side-Entrances ; Principal Stair- case and Garden-Entrance ; Corridors bad ; Drawing-room sacrificed to Winter-Garden ; Music-room ; Dining-Hall very objectionable ; Library and Breakfast-room ; Business-room a Counting-house ; Butler’s-Pantry ; Kitchen Offices, 447 ; Stables and Aviaries, 447 ; the Winter-Garden of great interest ; the question of its attachment to the House discussed in detail, 447. XXXIII. — Mentmore (Page 448) : A grand Classic plan, 448; Central axes; Entrance steps ; Drawing- room suite, Boudoir, junction of Conservatory ; Dining-room objec- tionable ; Business-suite ; substitute for Cloak-room ; smaller Dining- room or Breakfast-room ; labyrinth of Corridors, 448 ; Offices gene- INDEX, PART SIXTH. (APPENDIX.) xxix PLATE rally ; Kitchen group ; Housekeeper’s and Butler’s departments ; Brewery and Laundry group ; Ceiling-light, &c. ; general character of Offices, 449. XXXIY. — Modern Scotch Model (Page 450) : The Scotch school of architects ; their practical merits and their short- comings, 449 ; principles exemplified in the plate, their advantages and disadvantages, 450. XXXV., XXXVI. — Mansion, Berkshire (Page 452) : Purpose of the illustration, 451 ; Non-classical style, 451 ; Basis of Picture-Gallery, the scheme of plan involved, 451 ; Other peculiarities on Ground-floor, 452 ; Ditto on upper stories, 452 ; Advantages of irregular plan, 452 . XXXVII. — Design for London Houses (Page 454) : Defective plan of the ordinary models arising from difficulties of site, 453 ; Purpose of the design, 453; Contrivance of light, 453; Basement Offices described, 454 ; Ground-floor or Dining-room story, 454 ; First-floor (Drawing-rooms), 454 ; Second-floor (chief Bedrooms) ; Third-floor ( secondary Bedrooms) ; Fourth- floor (Nurseries and Ser- vants’-rooms) ; and Fifth-floor in roof, 454 ; Stables, 455 ; Principle of grouping the houses, 455 ; Urgent need of improvement, 455. XXXVIII. — Blake Hall (Page 454) ; Two purposes of illustration, the Offices and the Alterations, 455 ; Addi- tions described successively, &c. &c., 455. XXXIX. — Latham Hall Offices (Page 456) : Their conversion for modern uses ; The Kitchen Offices ; Butler’s Offices ; Housekeeper's Offices, 456 ; Servants’-Hall and Women’s-room ; Ceiling light and aspect, 457 ; Stables and Workshops, &c., 457. XL. — Longleat, Original Plan (Page 458) : Introduced merely for comparison with the altered plan, Plate XIV., 457. XLI. — Dunsdale (Page 458) : An example of Incorporation, 457 ; Mode of conversion, chiefly into thoroughfare space, 458 ; First-floor, &c., 458. XLII. — Windsor Castle State Rooms (Page 460) ; Purpose of the illustration, 458 ; Want of motive in the grouping ; speculative arrangement, 458. XLIII. — Palace at Darmstadt (Page 460) : Continental model, 459 ; The arrangements those of a Hotel ; singular features throughout, and backward state of German plan, 460. XLIV. — House in Paris (Page 462) : The latest French style, 460 ; Ground-floor Entrance, Waiting-room, Staircase, and peculiar Carriage-Entrance ; Salle-a-manger and ser- vice; Office de Luxe; Salons; characteristic suite, 460; Basement Waiting-rooms and Cloak-rooms; grouping of Offices, 463 ; Character- istic compactness, 461. XLV. — Thoroughfare Plans (Page 464) : Purpose of illustration, 462 ; Practical motive of Thoroughfare plan, 462; Remarks on Plates XXI., XXXIV., XXX., XXXV., XLI., XV., 462 ; Recommendations as to Thoroughfare drawings, 464. ( XXX ) WOOD ENGRAVINGS. Osborne Title-page. Aspect-Compass Page 81 Use of Bay Windows „ 93 Dining-room without Fireplace „ 95 Model Parlour-Dining-room „ 101 Model Morning-room „ 104 Drawing-room Bow „ 108 Drawing-room : position for the Door 110 Drawing-room connected with Dining-room „ 114 Mod§l Study ,, 124 English Bedroom „ 133 French Bedroom „ 133 Bedrooms with Dressing Alcoves „ 135 Porches to correct Aspect „ 158 Double Entrance Doors „ 163 Various forms of Gallery, or Principal Corridor ., 166 Library in Bays „ 188 Section of Picture Gallery, South Kensingtom Museum ,, 191 Coved Ceiling Lights for Gallery „ 192 Section of Ice-house „ 247 Block-Plan for Sketches of Architectural Style „ 343 Sketch of Elizabethan Style „ 346 Ditto Palladian ,, 348 Ditto Elizabethan revived 350 Ditto Rural Italian „ 355 Ditto Palatial Italian „ 360 Ditto French Italian „ 362 Ditto English Renaissance „ 364 Ditto Mediaeval or Gothic „ 367 Ditto Cottage Italian „ 374 Ditto Scotch Baronial .. „ 376 (For the Index to the Lithographic Plans see the General Index, Part Sixth.) ( xxxi ) DIRECTIONS TO BINDER : PLATES— PART SIXTH. Plate Plate I. to face page 10 XXIV. to face page IT. 12 / XXV. , , III. 9 9 14 \ XXVI. IY. 9 9 16 ( XXVII. , , Y. 32 \ XXVIII. , . YI. 9 9 34 J XXIX. , , VII. 9 , 36 \ XXX. VIII. 38 j XXXI. 9 9 IX. 40 \ XXXII. 9 9 X. 42 XXXIII. 9 9 XI. . , 44 XXXIV. , , XII. . , 46 / XXXV. 9 9 XIII. 9 9 48 \ XXXVI. 9 9 XIY. 50 j XXXVII. XV.* 9 9 52 txxxvm. XVI. 9 9 54 XXXIX;* 9 9 XVII. , , 56 / XL. , , XVIII. 9 9 56 \ XLI. XIX. 58 i XLII. XX. 9 9 58 { XLIII. 9 9 XXI. 9 9 60 XLIV. 9 9 XXII. 9 9 62 XLV. 9 9 XXIII. , 9 208 336 440 440 442 442 444 444 '446 446 448 450 452 452 454 454 456 458 458 460 460 462 464 So as to show the Number. THE ENGLISH GENTLEMAN’S HOUSE. PART FIRST. A SKETCH OF THE HISTORY AND DEVELOPMENT OF DOMESTIC PLAN IN ENGLAND, CHAPTER I. Programme. Purpose of the inquiry. — National peculiarities of domestic plan. — General history of plan in Europe. — The English system. Although the primary purpose of the present treatise goes no farther than a practical exposition of the principles which regulate the Plan of an English Residence at the present day, it will nevertheless prove interesting, and indeed instructive, to take a prefatory review of the circumstances under which these principles have grown up and become established. It is not difficult to perceive that amongst the nations of Europe each one possesses its own peculiar model of domestic plan the Villa of Italy, for example, the Chateau of France, the Country-Seat of England — not to mention minor cases — differ from each other in their arrangements precisely as their occupiers differ in the habits of life. It must also be apparent that each manner has had its own peculiar process of development and it militates in no way against this principle, hut the contrary, when we find these various processes to have been concurrent, starting together from the same point, and pursuing parallel courses even to the present time. The general bearings of this may be set forth in the following propositions. 1. Under the Roman domination all the Western countries alike exhibited side by side the luxurious Villas of the imperial officers and the simple abodes of the aboriginal chiefs.— 2. Upon the overthrow of Roman power, uncivilized manners resumed the ascendency ; the rude Halls of barbarian B 2 PROGRAMME OF THE INQUIRY. Part I. custom became again the sole practice of building; and pro- gress was but very slow for several centuries. — 3. At length came the age of chivalry, which produced, in the feudal Castles, examples altogether novel, and remarkable equally for magni- tude and skill. — 4. These in their turn gave place : population had increased; advancing intelligence and wealth had tran- quillised the state ; the Strongholds of military rule were succeeded by the Mansions of refined ease ; and domestic build- ing began to advance rapidly. — 5. Then occurred the breaking- up of the mediaeval system, and that inauguration of modern principles on the basis of the antique which is called the Revival of arts and letters. The spread of resuscitated Classic archi- tecture now introduced throughout the West, as the companion of the new Italian fashion of decorative design, a corresponding fashion of arrangement, which may be called Palladian Plan ; and this, modified more or less in various circumstances and different localities, has ever since prevailed. — 6. Of late, how- ever, it has been almost everywhere yielding. Partly, no doubt, by reason of changes in artistic motive, carrying with them corresponding changes in plan, but much more owing to the pressure from within of accepted principles of domestic habit at variance with the Palladian model, it is certain that the acade- mical precedents of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries have been during the last fifty years falling into disuse, and new systems of arrangement acquiring settled recognition ; so that the test of progress in domestic building throughout Europe is at this moment to a great extent involved in the question how far any particular nation has set aside the Palladian manner in favour of something more properly to be designated National Plan. Accordingly, the development of the English system, with which we have to deal, is its course of progress, in the line thus indicated, from the Hall of the Saxon Thane to the Mansion of the modern Gentleman. We need not commence earlier than the date of the Saxons. The Roman practice, having long before died out, had left no tangible impress. The barbarian practice, up to the Saxon time, had not advanced beyond the simplicity of the primitive type. Taking up the clue, therefore, at the close of the Saxon dynasty, we begin virtually at the beginning, and are able to go forward for eight hundred years, in direct sequence of events, along a line clearly indicated and fully illustrated. Chap. II. BUILDING AMONGST GOTHIC NATIONS. Chapter II. — Eleventh Century — Saxon. Building amongst the Gothic nations. — Primitive type of their Dwellings, con- trasted with the Roman type. — The Saxon Hall. — The Chamber. — Royal Houses, with Cliapel and Offices. — Saxon Castles. During the six centuries commonly called the Dark Ages, which passed so tediously in the foundation of order amongst the Gothic nations of Europe, the everyday condition of building was ex- tremely primitive. There were erected, it is true, at wide inter- vals of time and space, and as wonders of the world, monumental edifices of the Church, to which great historical interest, and a fair share of architectural merit, must be always ascribed ; and towards the close of the period these evidences of reawakening intellect had spread farther and farther West, until at length England itself, remote and isolated, had been moved to emulation. But as regards structures of the domestic kind, there seems little reason to doubt that, not excepting even Italy from the rule, the habits of the people, of all classes alike, were most unsophisticated, and their house-building correspondingly rude. That the scientific skill and available wealth which the clergy alone could command must have been to some extent employed upon their Monasteries, lavished as they were upon 'their Churches, seems in every way probable ; but certainly no results were effected of such import- ance as to transmit remains, or even records, to our day. If, again, it be suggested that the resources of the nobles, or even the kings, may have procured for their residences the advantages of refinement, the answer must be that we have no grounds for believing so ; the augmentation of space requisite for a numerous household gave to a great man a large dwelling, but the popular notion that this must have been a luxurious Palace seems to be, as regards the Saxons, altogether a fallacy. Looking at the unity of origin and identity of habits which pertained to the entire family of Gothic nations in those ages, we should expect to find their domestic plan governed by a single model ; and such was certainly the case. Considering also the unprogressive condition of Europe at large, we might equally suppose that this model would be of great antiquity ; and so it was. In other words, taking the Gothic world, as we do, at a sufficiently early point, we have their system of house-building in its one primary form ; and accordingly, the English house of B 2 4 ELEVENTH CENTUR Y - SAXON. Part I. the tenth or eleventh century was neither more nor less than the universal Northern European house of the time, and indeed of time then immemorial, — namely, the primitive dwelling of the Goth or Northern barbarian. The house of a Saxon of average degree consisted of a single large apartment. We may assign to it the dimensions of from thirty to forty feet in length and about half as much in breadth, with a height which is believed to have been disproportionately smalL This was the “ Hall ” of ancient and invariable Northern usage. If we glance back at the ancient Roman house, by way of contrast, we find its germ to have been the Atrium or Court, as an uncovered enclosure. Surrounding this were the Cubiculi or Rooms, more or less developed according to circumstances. It is the same idea which prevails in every form of Oriental plan, from the most remote antiquity to the present day ; and the Romans derived it indirectly from the East. But the germ of Gothic plan, coming from the less hospitable North, is essentially different. The primary object is shelter from the elements. The type is not therefore the uncovered, but the covered enclosure ; not the Court, but the Room ; not the Atrium , but the Hall. It is remarkable, also, that this radical feature, and under this primary name, — the Common Hall, otherwise “the House-place,” — is found to retain its prominence, even in the most complex plans, throughout the whole of the mediaeval period in England. The ordinary Saxon Hall constituted the sole dwelling-room and eating-room, for lord and lady, guest and serf alike ; it was kitchen and scullery, of course; nursery also incidentally for both high-born and low; and quarters none the less for the sheep- dogs and wolf-hounds. It afforded stowage in one corner for the implements of husbandry, and in another for a store of produce. Lastly it was the one universal sleeping-room of the household., who disposed themselves according to their rank upon the floor. The walls of the best examples were constructed of woodwork plastered with clay, and rudely ornamented ; and the roof was substantially covered with thatch, or more neatly with shingles.. The floor was of earth ; the door at one end was woven of osiers or made up of boards ; and there were small windows along the sides, closed by wicker shutters or canvas frames as the precursors of glazed casements. The fire of logs was lighted in the midst of the floor ; and the smoke, clinging for a while amongst the Chap. II. THE SAXON HALL — THE CHAMBER. 5 blackened roof-timbers and tlie stock of dried meats, escaped through openings in the gables or a funnel in the thatch. The plough-oxen were accommodated in a hovel, either attached to the Hall or not ; the sheep in a suitable enclosure ; the swine in another ; the grain and fodder in a barn. Other provisions, when in abundance, and the beer, were stored in what was early called a Cellar. It seems probable that in some cases this Cellar, and occasionally the cattle -houses, were made to form a basement- story under the Hall. The whole establishment was surrounded, in cases of any importance, by a Court-yard, enclosed by a pali- sade and perhaps a ditch. In the better class of dwellings there was a second apartment, known as the Chamber. This was sometimes constituted by means of a transverse partition, or even a curtain, dividing the Hall into two suitable parts ; but more properly it was an addi- tional and smaller structure attached to one end. It possessed no provision for a fire, and was not necessarily entered from within, but probably in most cases by an outer door alone. During the day this apartment was not much used, except as an audience-chamber — the “ Withdrawing-room ” of later phrase- ology — where important business could be transacted apart; and during the night it served for a private sleeping-room, which the heads of the household shared (so simple were the habits of the time) with such of their followers and guests as they might choose to honour by this withdrawal from the commoner com- pany of the Hall. It is obvious that the enlarged retinue attached to the king and other chieftains of the highest rank must have demanded a further increase of accommodation ; but as has already been hinted, this was provided in a very unpretending manner, and with the slightest possible departure from the common model. Two illustrations from the Welsh records, which are generally cited, appear to add to the Hall and Chamber, with outbuilt Offices, such as have been already described, nothing more besides a Chapel and a Kitchen , — “Hall, Dormitory, Kitchen, Chapel, Granary, Bake-house, Store-house, Stable, and Dog- house,” being the words of one of the extracts in question, and the other being very similar. The Chapel had become a formal adjunct to the regal abode, and probably to many other establish- ments of high rank, in place of the little cell or Oratory which found a place in less dignified dwellings ; and we may suppose 6 ELEVENTH CENTURY — SAXON. Part I. it to have been a detached structure. The Dormitory was the “ Chamber ” of the king ; and it seems not unlikely that there may have been sometimes a second such Chamber, the with- drawing-room for secondary business, and the sleeping-room for secondary officers. Both would he in all probability attached to the Hall as befor . The Kitchen would certainly be a detached building, as it continued to be for a long time afterwards, on account of the risk of fire. The Store-house would be the Cellar before-mentioned, situated perhaps under the Chamber in the manner afterwards common. The Stable for the horses of the king and suite, and the Dog-house for the hounds, would be obviously necessary. The Granary would be the barn. The Bake-house, otherwise called the Kiln, we may consider to have been an oven, perhaps in some way a smoking-house. And having understood thus much, it really seems that we have gone quite as far as evidence would warrant in forming an idea of the palace of Alfred the Great, or Edward the Confessor himself, — half-a-dozen wooden cabins, in short, for so many several pur- poses, huddled together within a palisade. The Castles, which under the Anglo-Normans became such important structures, were in the hands of the Saxons of little account as fortresses, and as residences of none. The earth- work fortification, which was formed by a ditch and bank, surrounding a central mound, was the common Gothic camp. Where there w T as a citadel within, it was an insignificant tower, generally built of wood ; and when of stone of no considerable magnitude or substance ; designed for the quarters of a small garrison, but in no way adapted for the seat of lordly authority. This account of Saxon building may perhaps appear deficient in romance ; but subsequent chapters of our investigation will assist in showing that it is scientifically as well as historically correct. Indeed any introduction of greater refinement into the picture, unless of a very unpretending and exceptional kind, would only detract from its real value ; for it is in this simple and rude arrangement that we have the origin of a Style of Plan , peculiar to the middle ages, which we shall trace in the following chapters through an eminently characteristic history, and to which we have ultimately to assign perhaps the greatest share of the merit to be ascribed to our present English model in its best form. Chap. III. THE EARLY NORMAN CASTLE. 7 CHAPTER III. — Eleventh Century — Norman. Origin of the Anglo-Norman Castle. — Two periods. — The first period irw its inferior examples. — Castleton (Plate I.). — The superior examples. — The Tower of London (Plate II.). The Norman conquest of England produced in one respect no difference in the system of domestic building; in another it created an entirely new order of things. In those dwellings which accommodated the peaceful cultivators of the soil, the old plan was still adhered to ; but, before long, the Castle of the feudal noble, or the fortress-residence, became another model, which entered upon a striking course of development. In other words, the house of the Hall and Chamber was now the plan of the husbandman, and its improvement was slow ; the “ Gentle- man’s House” of the period was the Castle alone, and its progress was both rapid and complete. It does not seem necessary to enter into any investigation of the origin of Castles, or to point to the inconsiderable influence of the Roman manner in Europe during the Dark Ages, and its greater influence in the Eastern empire. Referring to the description given in our last chapter of the Castle of the Anglo- Saxons, this may be affirmed to represent the original Gothic model, independent of all Roman precedent, upon which that practice was based which is identified so much in history with the Anglo-Norman name. There can be no doubt that such primitive Castles were in use over the whole of Europe during the tenth century, for garrison purposes. In some countries political circumstances and national character would necessarily produce them in greater number than in others, and of greater importance structurally. It is manifest also that upon occasion they must have served as the temporary dwellings of their quarrelsome owners. It is quite probable, too, that in some cases an unruly or marauding chieftain would make his fortress a permanent abode; indeed, one effect of the feudal system would be to encourage such a practice whenever possible. The feudal Normans, therefore, on French soil, may very fairly be believed to have used the fortress-residence to an extent cor- responding with their martial character, — that is to say, to a considerably greater extent than the cotemporary Saxons in 8 ELEVENTH CENTURY — NORMAN. Part L England ; and the question, consequently, whether or not the conquerors brought across the Channel the idea of what is known as the Norman Castle, may be thus far answered in the affirmative. At the same time, as regards scientific considerations, it is not to be supposed that any remains or records exist which would warrant the opinion that the French Normans had built their Castles on the Continent upon any other than a very simple and rude system as compared with their future English works, or that any other Western people before the Conquest had pro- duced such buildings of anything like their subsequent import- ance. In fact, we have to claim for England that in this species of domestic architecture she pointed the way for Europe at large ; that the Norman Castle, considered as a commodious and stately Residence, was essentially Anglo- Norman. To account for this, it seems only necessary to reflect upon the position of the conquerors in their new home. They had taken possession of an extensive and wealthy kingdom ; they had divided amongst themselves as spoil of conquest, not merely the emoluments of its government, but the property of its soil ; they had assumed, after their feudal manner, a sort of ownership in the very persons of its inhabitants, — a race of kindred origin, and in everything but the fortune of war equal to themselves. In such a condition of affairs it seems reasonable to say, first, that the prudence of the foreign lord would as a rule demand a defensible house ; and secondly, that the pride of the enriched adventurer would induce him to build it in stately form. Of the earlier Castles* perhaps the majority were constructed of wood ; but it is certain that from the first some were built of massive masonry. In ornamental design it is not to be expected that much could be attempted ; nor, indeed, in scientific con- struction. But when we come to later examples, the merit in both respects is of a much more advanced order; indeed, a degree of refinement is sometimes attained in which they may almost be considered to vie with the buildings of the Church. There are thus constituted what we may call two distinct periods of style, of which, for the sake of convenience, and with very slight indecision chronologically, the one may be identified with the eleventh century, and the other with the twelfth. The former of these we now proceed to examine. The primary idea of the Anglo-Norman Castle is too often Chap. III. THE EARLY NORMAN CASTLE. 9 taken to be that of a Tower alone ; but this falls short of the principle of residence involved. The Tower was but the Keep ; the Castle as a whole comprehended an enclosed and fortified area, of which the Keep or Donjon was the core— the dwelling- house in the inconvenient but necessary form of a tower. As a characteristic example of the simplest plan, the Castle called Castleton, in Derbyshire, is presented in Plate I. The ordinary process of construction in such cases was this. A space of ground of from half an acre to an acre, or even more, was selected, possessing within its limits, generally towards one extremity, an eligible knoll or mound, or the means of forming one. Around this area there was dug a deep and wide fosse ; (Castleton, by the bye, being situated on an eminence, has none ;) and into this fosse, if possible, water was conveyed. The soil dug out was deposited as a bank within the fosse. Thus far, this was the old system ; and in many cases it is more than pro- bable that a Saxon Camp or Castle may have been made to serve the purpose. Along the summit of the bank there was now added a massive stone wall, with a terrace on the top, pro- tected by a parapet. At the point fixed upon for the entrance, situated generally at the opposite extremity from the mound, a tower was built ; which contained the gate within an archway, and an apartment over it for its defence. This was the Gate- house. In front of it the Drawbridge crossed the ditch. At other points of the circumvallation other towers of defence were sometimes placed, as occasion might be considered to require. On the mound within there was erected the Keep or Citadel, the dwelling-tower of the Castle ; and wherever convenient within the wall there were placed the requisite Outbuildings. The Keep in an ordinary case was about 20 feet square internally, with walls as much as 10 or 12 feet thick, and of four stories, as a rule, in height, with a flat roof at the summit. Each story was a single apartment ; this was characteristic of the whole class of simple Keeps. First was a vaulted base- ment, which, having neither door nor window in the walls, was accessible by a trap-door in the floor above. This, however, was not sunk underground, as convenience of entrance at the next story would dictate ; on the contrary, by its means the entrance- door was purposely elevated, for convenience of defence. The Cellar thus formed was made to accommodate heavy stores, and amongst the rest the timbers of a catapult or other war-engine 10 ELEVENTH CENTURY — NORMAN. Part I. to be used upon the roof. It was also obviously a convenient place for the occasional confinement of a prisoner. The next ^atory, second aboveground, we may call the Entry-place. The door was approached from without, by means of a wooden ladder, which subsequently became a long unprotected flight of stone steps. Windows were inadmissible, for military reasons. As regards accommodation, this story probably served for little besides incidental stowage. The third stage in order constituted the Hall, or House-place , — the dwelling, eating, cooking, and sleeping room of old Gothic custom, — but elevated now by some 30 feet, or perhaps twice as much, of stone wall and mound from the level of the ground below. It was made lofty, and, after the manner of such an abode, stately. It was provided with several windows, although these were necessarily small in size ; and it generally had a fire-hearth against the wall, with a smoke-flue over it passing to the outer air. There would also be sometimes here formed a little cell in the wall, as an Oratory. The remaining story was the Chamber, provided with windows and generally a fireplace. Whether, as we should begin to expect, and as this last feature might be taken in some measure to indicate, the Chamber was now becoming more of a lady’s apartment, it seems not easy, as regards direct evidence, to say ; although it is hard to believe now-a-days that female privacy was of such slow growth as we shall find it to have been : but we may at least take leave to suppose that the use of the upper room as a family dormitory must have become more invariable now; especially as the domestic relations which had existed between master and serf in the Saxon time could scarcely have continued in full force under the Norman regime. The Chamber being the uppermost story, there was yet a not unimportant stage constituted by the roof above ; which was a platform surrounded by a parapet, — in fact, the fighting-deck of this unamiable mansion. There were other military contrivances more or less ingenious throughout the building ; but these we may pass by. The well-shaft we may note as having been carried up from the ground to the topmost floor, and often to the roof; and the stair, from the entrance upwards, was either straight in successive flights within the thickness of the walls, or spiral in one angle. (See also the remarks on Plate I. in the Appendix.) The domestic Offices were only temporary structures as com- CASTLETON CASTLE, DERBYSHIRE. II th Century. Plate 1. CastLetcm. . Trcrm. _Ar cKas olo £>i a_ . SECOND STACE. THIRD STAG E . ( There are crUy Three stages in this ecrtunple,.) BLOCK PLAN. ( approximate ) Scale llncli to 30 Feet KtlL. Bro s I-ich zede S t Holboj-r Chap. III. THE SIMPLE KEEP — LARGER KEEPS. 11 pared with the Keep and the circumvallation ; being, indeed, as a rule, built of wood. There were necessarily the Stable and Barn , if no others ; and subsequently it was the custom to have a special Kitchen . They were no more than the same uncon- nected series of cabins and sheds which the Saxons had. The primitive tower just described as the simple Keep, we must from the first assign to inferior cases ; for we find a much enlarged plan adopted in superior examples, as in Rochester Keep, 70 feet square internally ; Canterbury, 87 feet square ; Windsor, 90 feet in diameter ; London, 116 feet by 96 ; Col- chester, 140 feet by 100 ; — all early instances. The outer forti- fications also were correspondingly augmented both in extent and strength. The first line of wall and fosse became sur- rounded by a second ; and the defence of the Keep was sup- ported by a number of minor towers, which accommodated a garrison. But the most interesting question of plan which now arose was how to subdivide the large internal area of the Keep. It is suggested by some that there was generally formed an open central Court ; but there seem to be no traces of anything of this kind in the remains ; and it cannot be doubted, for example, that the great Keep of London, 116 feet by 96, one of the first built in the kingdom, was covered entirely with roofing. The mode of division was for some time extremely simple. At London and Colchester, notwithstanding the great size, a single wall of partition divided the tower. At Kochester the plan was the same. At Canterbury, again, there were two such walls. There were few cross partition-walls ; sometimes none ; for con- structive reasons there would be timber posts, to carry the floors and roof ; but it does not appear that for convenience there had been even those wooden partitions or screens which might have added so much to the comforts of residence. The design of plan was of the most meagre kind ; and there was little that maintained its identity except the Great Hall , which generally occupied the entire third story. The addition, however, of an external Vestibule at the entrance, as in the case of Kochester, was an improvement which showed a tendency to seek residential comfort at a slight sacrifice of defensive strength ; although the entrance was still one story above ground, and had to be approached by a long exposed flight of external steps. We must also allow the merit of improved convenience to the system adopted in the larger Castles, where several staircases, 12 TWELFTH CENTURY. Part I. and numerous recesses like closets, were provided in the walls. There is very apparent, moreover, in some cases, a distinction of staircases, as if all were not used indiscriminately. A little Chapel or Oratory attached to the Hall seems also to have become more general. The most interesting illustration of the larger class of early Keeps must of course be that of the Castle of London, now called the White Tower. It is presented in Plate II. The great Chapel-royal of the king’s head-quarters forms a conspicuous feature ; but in other respects the plan is primitive, and even purposeless, except as regards the defensive arrangements, with which we are not concerned. (See the description of Plate II. in the Appendix .) Colchester Keep is very similar ; and there are none of more advanced disposition belonging to the period. The great Keeps, accordingly, of this century cannot be as- signed any considerable superiority in a residential sense. In other words, we must consider the Gentleman’s House of the early Norman age to have been, in respect of plan, little if any better than that of the Saxon time. CHAPTER IV. — Twelfth Century. Monastic Buildings. — Castle Acre Priory. — Further development of the Castle. — Castle Rising. — Condition of the Tovms — Manor-houses and Oranges. — — Necham’s account, — Hall, Chamber or Solar, Kitchen, Larder, Sewer y, and Cellar. — General arrangement of plan. — The King's Houses. — Remains. Leaving for the moment the further development of the Castle, our investigation may be assisted by looking now at the condi- tion of plan in Monastic Buildings. Considering how great was the power of the clergy, and how exclusive their possession of the education of the day, the obvious conclusion is, as already hinted, that in domestic plan they must be expected to have excelled. Not only so, but their freedom from the danger of war, which caused the noble to coop himself up in a fortress, would enable them, even admitting that some of themselves, as is very probable, were the architects of the Castles, to dispose their own dwellings upon a system much more refined. Accord- ingly, in Plate III,, which represents the plan of a Norman Plate 2. lower of London, CASTLE OF LONDON KEEP: (the white tower) 11 th Century. From Vetus+a. SECTION. MarLurrreii.ta(witi\ Sn^^eytions^) Gall e t (The Family Chamber cn/er) 1,1 The Pre sence Chamber (The Officers' Chamber -under) (Hrmoury tuidieb)' (Dormitory over)* \ The Great Common Hall * * (The Entry or Garrison Hall under) I H Z> O CO THIRD STORY 20 30 40 5p T?eet SoU-th Aisle t Chap. IV. MONASTERIES — CASTLE ACRE. 13 monastery, Castle Acre Priory, in Norfolk, it is plain that we have a design of arrangement far in advance of anything hitherto described.* No doubt the plan of a Monastery would spring originally from that of an ordinary dwelling-house. For a small number of monks of simple habits, we can readily imagine that a Hall, or perhaps a Hall and Chamber, attached to their Church, would be all that was at first required. But as discipline became re- fined, and monastic duties complicated, and as education and wealth added to the dignity of the brotherhood, the demands for household accommodation would necessarily become amplified. The duties of administration, consequently, were divided amongst a considerable number of officials ; and there were provided in the building an equal multiplicity of Offices. The department of the cellarer was furnished with separate Kitchen, Larder, Buttery, and Cellars. The Hall was relieved of occupation during the night, and became the Refectory, under the control of the refectioner. A Dormitory was added, and placed in charge of the chamberlain. A special apartment was contrived for a Library ; another for a Scriptory or writing-room ; and still another for a Locutory, or Parlour, for conversation. An Infirmary was attached for the sick ; an Almonry for the poor ; and an Hostelry for wayfarers. Lastly, the lord abbot, or even the prior his lieutenant, became so important a personage that he required a private establishment ; and this was accordingly provided apart, — the Abbot's (or Prior's) Lodging. A reference to the plan of Castle Acre Priory will show how far these apartments, at the early period in question, had come to be grouped together. South of the Nave of the Church, according to rule, there was laid out a square Court. Cloisters were formed around it, serving as an Ambulatory and Corridor of intercommunication ; the space within, or Cloister-garth , becoming the Cemetery of the brotherhood. Buildings were carried along two sides of the square, divided into a Hall or Refectory, a Buttery no doubt, a Locutory probably, and (it is suggested) a Hall for Novices; with a Dormitory over the Refectory, (or more likely over the supposed Hall for Novices, so as to leave * See also the curious plan of the Abbey of St. Gall, in Switzerland (taking it for what it is worth), of which the best description is given by Professor Willis in the ‘Archaeological Journal.’ See again the plan of Canterbury Priory, in Hasted’s ‘ Kent.’ 14 TWELFTH CENTURY. Part. I. the Refectory of the full height,) and a Library and Scriptory probably on the upper story also ; there being, by the bye, no remains of Staircases in this example, — so that access to the upper rooms had been provided either by occasional wooden stairs within, or by trapdoors, or by external flights of steps. A separate block of buildings Eastward accommodated the Kitchen Offices and the Hall for Servants , and another low range southward seems to have been Cellars , with a loft over. The Prior s Lodging , west of the Cloisters, comprised a sort of Hall and five other apartments on the Ground-floor, and probably only two apartments above. One of these latter is recognisable as the prior’s Chamber , and the other as his Chapel. The rooms below w r e may probably best appropriate to the accommodation of strangers and the poor, as on the plan. A Sacristy and Almonry are taken to be represented by the remains of two attached apartments at the North transept ; and an Infirmary was situated probably a little farther to the North, disengaged. The remains of a Porter s Lodge are seen not far off from the last-mentioned spot, and those of a Barn to the Westward ; the site of Stables and Brewery Offices being traced to a South-west quarter. Much, or all of this, however, is pro- blematical. (See the remarks on Plate III. in the Appendix.) The study of this example leads us to two conclusions of much interest. First, our uncertainty as regards the appropriation of the several apartments, as well as the scattered grouping of their disposition, fully illustrate the primitive condition of domestic plan ; especially if compared with the compactness and precision of arrangement shown in the ecclesiastical part of the establish- ment. Secondly, as compared with the ordinary house-plan of the period, we cannot but perceive here a decided superiority, — in a word, the superior intelligence of the clergy. We may now the better appreciate that further development of the Castle which we associate more particularly with this twelfth century. During the whole of the century the times were troubled, from the assumption by the barons of almost sovereign independence during the civil wars at its commence- ment down to their combination against King John at its close. The Castle consequently is the form in which we may expect to see domestic plan chiefly progressing; and in this form it did progress most materially. Perhaps the most serviceable example is Castle Rising, in "*v < Chap. IV. CASTLE RISING. 15 Norfolk, of which Plate IY. presents apian of the principal story of the Keep ; in this case the second story above ground, — not as before, the third. The main bulk of the Keep is a parallelo- gram on plan, to which is added at one angle, the North-east, an attached square turret, with a low wing continued along the remainder of the East end by way of an entrance. The story below was vaulted, and consisted manifestly of what we may call cellarage, the access being from the upper floor alone by the spiral stairs downwards. The entrance-door, instead of being, as in ordinary examples, on the upper floor level at the summit of an external stair, was on the ground level (at the South-east corner), at the foot of an equivalent stair within. This stair occupied the low wing already mentioned, and led up in a straight line to a Vestibule formed by the North-east turret, from which a highly ornamented doorway opened to the great Common Hall. The main area of the building was divided as represented on the plan ; the Hall occupying in height the whole remainder of the building in one story, and the other divisions corresponding in two stories. The larger apartment adjoining the Hall, with a similar one above it, we may call lower and upper Chambers , otherwise (after the precedent of the Saxon “ King’s House,” in the last chapter) we may suppose them to be respectively a Chamber or withdrawing-room for the lord, and a Dormitory or parlour and sleeping-room for the family. Over the entrance door is a Chapel , of the whole remaining height of the wing. The apartment between this and the lower Chamber would probably be a Priest's Chamber; and the room over this last a Chapel- Chamber or Oriole , to which the occupants of the upper Chamber or Dormitory would proceed to listen to the morning prayers below through a squint or opening in the wall. The curious door in the East wall, with its ladder without, was perhaps a special entrance for times of siege, when the principal door would be permanently secured ; or perhaps no more than the ordinary servants’ entrance from the Offices without. The little box marked as the Warder s Cell could scarcely serve any other purpose. Lastly, if we consider the two small apartments at the West end of the Hall to have been a Buttery for the service of wine and ale, and a Pantry for that of bread, and the space over them a Wardrobe attached to the Dormitory, (better known adjuncts at a period somewhat farther advanced,) the whole interior of the Keep is accounted for. Wooden 16 TWELFTH CENTURY. Part I. screens and partitions do not appear to suggest themselves any- where. The Kitchen , Larder , and Cellar we may fairly pre- sume to have been external Offices, built of wood perhaps ; their functions in times of siege being accommodated indoors, in the Hall and its adjuncts. (See also the notes on Plate IV. in the Appendix.) If this manner of reading the plan seems to bring it too closely up to the merit of the monastic example lately described, and if it should be considered that we have drawn a little upon the anticipation of future improvements, still it is not likely that we ‘can be far wrong in principle, and it is certain indeed that Castle Rising must have been sufficiently a chef -d' oeuvre of its day to warrant us in explaining it by the future rather than the past. Its arrangements, therefore, we may pronounce to be re- markably complete, according to the habits of the age ; while at the same time we must admit that they constitute no very great step in advance as respects our modern ideas of comfortable domestic plan. Although Castle Rising is considered to belong, in point of date, to the .commencement of the twelfth century, it is not pro- bable that any improvement upon so superior a model was effected during the remainder of the period. We need only further remark that, although a large number of castellated dwellings were built during the troubled reign of Stephen (1135-1154), his successor, Henry II., is distinguished for having in the interest of peace destroyed the most of these, besides restricting the liberty of his nobles to build others. It may be noticed here what was the condition of the Towns. They were Villages, inhabited by the petty traders and crafts- men of the time, clustered under the Castle walls of their respective lords, and so protected from the spoiler. London itself, guarded by the Castle of the Ring, was but a crowd of small houses built of wood and clay, and roofed with thatch. Until late in this twelfth century, these very ordinary dwellings were only one story high ; and it was considered a great advance when a second came to be added, after the manner of the country houses which we shall have to consider presently. All that need be remembered, therefore, with regard to the towns is that their condition was not yet calculated to produce any advancement in building. Even in countries where commerce was far more flourishing than in England, as in Italy and Flanders, it is not Plate 4-. ’•asOf. Ttisa4 & Chapter Bassett. CASTLE RISING, NORFOLK. From Britton’s Antiquities . (•with, suggestions*) 11 th or 12 4 Century. Scale, 1 Inch to 30 Feet. CHARNEY BASSETT GRANGE, BERKSHIRE. 13 th Century. From Turner’s Domestic Architecture, (with suggestions*) GROUND FLOOR io o io 20 30 to soPeet Scale, 1 Inch to 30 Feet Chap. IV. MANOR-HOUSES AND GRANGES. 17 apparent that the sources of architecture, so productive of great buildings for the Church, had yet been brought to bear in any degree upon public edifices for the City. Whilst, however, the baronial Castle had been attaining such a distinguished character, the Country-house of more peaceful associations, although of less importance, had not continued altogether unimproved. Any class of country gentlemen, as distinguished from the warlike nobles and knights, of course did not exist ; but it is plain that there must have been a class of working agriculturists who could not dwell in Castles. In other words, the extensive landowners had to maintain Farm-homes, or Manor-houses as they were called, upon their several pro- perties or manors. The Monasteries had their Granges for the same purpose. These accommodated the cultivators. of the soil and their overseers. Feudal inferiors also occupied similar dwellings. Such were, in fact, the ordinary houses of the country. There were three classes of residences, therefore; namely, the Castles of the lords, the somewhat exceptional abodes of the townsmen, and the Manor-houses of the husband- men ; and the first two being disposed of, we have now to look at the third. In planning the Granges of the clergy, it may at once be affirmed that there would be kept in view, as a rule, the occa- sional accommodation of a party of the brotherhood, and some- times the reception of the lord abbot himself. In the Manor- houses of the great proprietors also there would be provision made for lodging the lord and his officers ; and, in the case of royal properties, the same for the king. We are not able to assert that it was in any degree common for the owner of a Castle to forsake it permanently as a Residence ; but it is beyond a doubt that the periodical occupation of the Manor-houses by the lords had come to be the universal rule. Indeed, we know it to have been a somewhat inconvenient necessity of the times, that the owner of many lands, having no means of selling for money the contents of his barns, was obliged to make the round of his possessions, and consume their produce in turn. The consequence was the practice of a systematic mode of Manor- house plan, of which we have many records. Indeed, a writer of the period, Necham, abbot of Cirencester, affords us very precise information upon the subject. (See Turner’s 4 Domestic Architecture of the Middle Ages.’) o 18 TWELFTH CENTURY. Part I. Necham’s account of a good Manor-house of his day gives it a Hall or public room ; a Chamber or private room ; a Kitchen for cooking ; a Larder for preserving (larding) and storing meat ; a Sewery (servery), or Buttery and Pantry combined, for the service of wine and ale, bread, and table-furnishings ; and a Cellar for miscellaneous heavy stores. The Hall floor was probably in most cases on the ground-level ; the Cellar the same ; and the Chamber (called in these circumstances the Solar) above the Cellar, the two together corresponding in height with the Hall. The two-story adjunct thus formed was attached to one end of the Hall, and the entrance was at the other. Access to the Solar was only had by an external stair, and to the Cellar by an external door. The entrance end of the Hall was considered the proper place for the Larder and Sewery, which took the shape of an attached one-story building. This contained also in many cases a passageway towards the Kitchen, which was gene- rally removed to a little distance on account of the risk of fire. It was a luxury to have a small Porch outside the entrance to the Hall. Opposite the entrance-door in this case, which was in one side- wall of the Hall, there was a Back-door in the other side- wall, opening to a Yard , where the Stables and other Out- buildings were, and sometimes also the Kitchen. The Hall fire was still made in the centre of the floor ; and the smoke escaped through a louvre immediately over it in the roof. The only wall- fireplace was in the Solar. The Kitchen had generally a cooking- grate in the midst, with part of the roof above open to the sky. Another model, which seems to have been sometimes followed, placed the Hall above a vaulted Basement , the approach to the main entrance being by a flight of steps externally. The Chamber was then on the level of the Hall, and in connection with it ; and the basement, which wa«s accessible only by external doors, formed the Cellar &c. This plan, however, is of doubtful authenticity as applying to the twelfth century ; it will appear more definitely afterwards. The “ King's houses ” of the day, which are alluded to in the records, such as those at Clarendon and Woodstock, were evi- dently similar Manor-houses to those described, augmented in size for the accommodation of a large retinue, and possessing in every case a Chapel as matter of dignity. The Common Hall for Palace , so called) of these and other more stately establish- Chap. V. THE KING’S HOUSES. 19 ments was sometimes of such size as to require division into nave and aisles, like a large church. The Chapel is clearly under- stood to have been used for business as well as worship ; and a single “ Chamber ” is considered to have been the rule. The chief Remains of twelfth century domestic building are set forth by the best antiquarian authority on the subject (Parker) as being at Boothby Pagnell, Lincolnshire ; Christchurch, Hants ; Moyse’s Hall, Bury St. Edmunds ; and Oakham Castle, Rutland.* CHAPTER Y. — Thirteenth Century. Works of the Clergy. — Progress of Manor-houses, and their preference over the Castles. — The Royal Manor-houses. — Additional Offices : the Buttery, Pantry, Chandlery, Wine and Beer Cellars, &c., and Wardrobe. — Subsidiary Chambers. — Freemantle and Woolmer. — Toddington. — “ Bedchambers .” — Modification of the ancient Castles on the Manor-house principle. — Edwardian Castles. — Detail arrangements of the period, structural and domestic. — Remains. — Charney Bassett (Plate IV.). — Little Wenham Hall. This century, opening with the inquietude of John’s reign, seemed at first to promise but little of social progress ; neverthe- less it became distinguished later, not only by the rapid rise of the middle class, evidenced especially in the institution of the Commons House of Parliament, but ultimately by the consolida- tion of public law under Edward I. It also saw before its close the culmination of ecclesiastical power in England, as elsewhere throughout Europe. Such a period could scarcely pass without great changes in domestic building. As respects the influence of the Church little need be said. The age which produced so many notable works of church-archi- tecture produced also a corresponding number of conventual houses ; and some magnificence was attained in a large propor- tion of them ; but so far as plan is concerned the improvements took the form of increased spaciousness and an augmented list of apartments, rather than any modification of principle. At the * In this catalogue, and others which will be given from the same source in dealing with future centuries, it is not to he supposed that any considerable proportion of reliable illustrations of plan are to be found ; neither are the lists to be expected to be complete, this would be impossible ; but as an index to which to refer the searcher for examples, no doubt they possess due value. c 2 20 THIRTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. same time the Granges and Abbots’ Lodgings, which would con- stitute obviously the more proper examples of the domestic design of churchmen, were simply so many Manor-houses of the day, slightly modified in their arrangements to suit monastic requirements, but not otherwise peculiar. It must be observed, however, that, owing to the superior constructive skill of the clergy, the best examples of the Manor-houses of the period are those whicli belonged to them. Towards the middle of the century, as the government became settled under Henry III. and his ministers, we find numerous licences being issued for the crenellation or fortification of Manor- houses; these licences being practically the royal sanction for building new Country Houses (not Castles) on such a scale as would suit persons of importance. From this we gather that the model of the Manor-house was coming more and more into request for the permanent family residences of the gentry. There is also reason to believe (as will appear more clearly presently) that the superior nobility themselves, the possessors of the great Castles, were acquiring that preference for Manor-house life which we could not affirm to have prevailed before. The open Hall and Chamber, with the surrounding Offices, in the midst of green fields, possessed beyond a doubt every kind of superiority in comfort, if not in pomp, over the dreary Donjon-Keep and the barren Bailey ; and as the condition of society had greatly im- proved, a certain general regard to defensiveness was all that could be required for safety. Thus originated the Fortified Manor-house ; which continued from thenceforth to be the stan- dard English Gentleman’s House down to the time of the Tudors. But our most available information with respect to the im- provements of the thirteenth century is identified with the Manor-houses which belonged to the Crown. The liberate rolls of the time of Henry III. supply us with descriptions which, although only incidental, are fully reliable. (See Parker’s work.) They generally refer to such matters as the connecting together of scattered appendages which had been added from time to time to the royal Manor-houses, the erection of new rooms, or the alteration, improvement, and remodelling of old ones ; but they possess a certain precision which is very suggestive. Hitherto we have been familiar with the Hall, Chamber or Solar, Chapel, Kitchen, Sewery, Larder, and Cellar ; now we perceive novelties. Chap. V. MANOR-HOUSES IMPROVED. 21 The Sewery, or general service-room of the preceding century, comes to be amplified, and subdivided ; and so we have, first, the Buttery, or butler’s (bottler’s) store, with Wine and Beer Cellars in connexion ; secondly, the Pantry , or bread, butter, and cheese store ; and thirdly the Chandlery. There was also added another new apartment (although we have ventured to suggest its exist- ence in the last century) called the Wardrobe. This served, instead of the chests which were formerly used, for the storage of cloths for the dress of the officers and servants ; the tailors also made it their work-room. We find constant reference, again, to the addition of a second Chamber : there were the King's Chamber with its Chapel, and the Queen's Chamber with its Chapel. These Chambers, moreover, appear to have acquired the dimensions of state-rooms. There is also mention made of certain subsidiary Chambers — for instance, “ the Chamber where Master such a one doth lie.” From this we may gather that the royal “ Chambers ” had become so far private at night, that the officers in attendance slept in adjoining apartments ; although the Common Hall or “ great House-place ” was still the general dormitory, beyond a doubt. The next item of improvement in connexion with the royal Chambers or Withdrawing-rooms seems to have been the custom of interposing a screen or wood partition “ between the door and the bed,” an arrangement which in these King’s Manor-houses is frequently alluded to. In this, which amounts to a separation of the one part of the room from the other, — the Night-Chamber, so to speak, from the Day-Chamber, — we per- ceive the germ of the Parlour or proper Sitting-Koom, as in the subsidiary Chambers we see the origin of separate Bedrooms. To come to the new houses of the time, we ma} 7 notice one ordered to be built for Henry III., at Freemantle, in 1251. Its accommodation consisted chiefly of a Hall , a Kitchen , a King's Chamber with a Chapel and “ an upper story," a Queens Chamber with Chapel and upper story, and under one of the Chapels a Wine Cellar. Thirty years later we have another similar house built for Edward I., at Woolmer, in Hampshire. This had a Hall, a Kitchen, an “ Upper Chamber ”72 feet by 28, (a Cellar no doubt under it,) a small Chapel, and two Wardrobes. There was evidently no second Chamber here. Neither is any mention made of the “ upper story,” which is twice specified in the pre- vious example. This upper story appears to be the only novelty. It must not be imagined, however, that it was intended for sleep- 22 THIRTEENTH CENTURY. Part I ing accommodation ; future facts would not bear this out. One suggestion which may be made with some show of reason is this, — the open timber roof being found objectionable for the With- dra wing-rooms, and a flat ceiliug being made, an upper story , but not an upper room, was the result — a sort of unavailable garret. A mansion built at Toddington, in Bedfordshire, by a courtier of Henry III. named Paulin Peyvre, is recorded to have been a wonder of its day : it is chiefly interesting to us by reason of its being said to have included a novelty called “ Bedchambers .” It is sometimes found that kings build for use and courtiers for show ; and, therefore, it becomes a question whether the word “ Bedchambers ” may not signify the existence of something at Toddington for which we have not been prepared by our exami- nation of the Boyal Kesidences at Freemantle and Woolmer. It will be best, however, in the mean time to pass by the question with this mention of it ; as it will come up again at the next stage of progress, and in better condition for settlement. At present we have only further to note that, although some allow- ance may have to be made for a certain superiority in the Boyal Houses over the average of others, yet we may without difficulty believe that the improvements which have now been described were more or less exemplified in all Residences of any import- ance, and especially in those which the nobility, as a class, had begun to build everywhere throughout the country under the old name of Manor-houses. We naturally inquire next, what was the effect of this move- ment upon the Castles, which still constituted the State Resi- dences of the aristocracy. Here the facts are very remarkable. The difference between a new-fashioned Manor-house and an old-fashioned Donjon-tower need not be expatiated upon ; but we can easily imagine that the baroness and her daughters, although not yet very refined, and certainly quite unlettered, had begun by this time to consider the old Hall or great House- place of their ancestral Keep not only needlessly austere in its surroundings, but needlessly elevated in the air, occupying as it did the third lofty story of a tower perched upon a mound, — their Chamber or Withdr a wing-room, moreover, being the fourth, 20 or 30 feet still higher up, and the turnpike-stairs being by no means either spacious or easy of ascent. We can suppose also that the baron himself had begun to find the enlarged hos- Chap. V. EDWARDIAN CASTLES. 23 pitality of the time considerably interfered with by the remote- ness of his Kitchen and domestic Offices in the Bailey below. What, therefore, was to be done ? As for altering the arrange- ment of the Keep-tower, or enlarging it by additions, neither alternative could promise much. One other resource at all events was open ; namely, to abandon altogether the Keep, if not the Castle, and build something new in its stead. Accordingly, in the reigns of Henry III. and Edward I. we find it to have become a very general rule to allow the Keep- tower to fall into ruin, and to build adjoining it what may be most simply and intelligibly described as a complete Manor- house. The usual plan was to erect within the Inner Bailey, and on the ground-level, a capacious and stately Hall, whose great windows in front looked freely out. upon the Bailey, the back wall being incorporated with the cireumvallation. To one end of this Common Hall there were attached the Chamber (now the “Presence Chamber ”) and such other Family Apartments as have been hitherto described ; and to the other end the Kitchen and Domestic Offices. The mode of carrying the idea into effect was rendered very uncertain by the many varieties of form and disposition in the old Castle walls. Sometimes a Basement story was formed, such as we have seen in the Manor-houses. Some- times fortification was still a direct matter of consideration, and subsidiary Towers were built to protect the new buildings. In .all cases the old defences of the Castle were retained ; and occa- sionally the Norman Keep was kept, if not in repair, in fighting condition, for possible emergencies. (See Kenilworth Castle, Plate Y.) The new Castles built by Edward I. in Wales, with others of the same date and of similar plan which were erected in that country, are generally pointed out as initiative examples of an entirely new style of plan ; and some theorists dwell upon the probability of their having been imitated from the fortresses of the East. But this is surely an error ; a moment’s consideration will show that they were no more than an imitation of the old Norman Castles in the improved condition thus described. They did not lead, that is to say, but follow. The precise form they took was this. The Citadel was no longer the Keep-Tower, within the Inner Bailey, after the old manner, but the Inner Bailey itself, with residential buildings inside, after the new manner. Or, to put the case otherwise, a Court-yard of com- 24 THIRTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. paratively small extent was surrounded by a. massive wall and towers, and defended further by one, two, or three lines of cir- cumvallation. The central enclosure received, as an equivalent for the discarded Keep, the complete Manor-house which had lately been introduced into the old Castles. A Hall, Chambers, and Offices, according to the generally-accepted model, were ranged along one side ; and the remainder of the area became the private Court-yard of the mansion, the Stables and other Outbuildings being placed beyond the wall. This was the only principle involved ; the mode of adapting it to various circum- stances becoming matter of variety in plan. The opportunity may here be accepted to mention the fact, that the development of the Castle, which we have thus far traced in England, was following a somewhat similar course abroad. Before leaving the thirteenth century, a few notes may be made respecting minutiae of plan. Much was being done in the way of improvement ; but it was little compared with what has been done since. Staircases, even as narrow spiral “ turnpikes,” were very rare ; external flights of steps , internal trap-doors, and ladders, were the rule. For example, Henry III. at one of his manors, complaining that the way from his chamber to the Chapel takes him through a trap in the floor, orders the con- struction of a spiral staircase in the wall. Thoroughfares through all rooms alike were too common ; and probably without much, if any, of that help to privacy which boarded partitions, or rather screens, would have afforded. The same sovereign, being at Rochester Castle, observes that the whole household have to pass to the Chapel through his private Chamber. Fireplaces were few ; the hearth was still in the midst of the Hall ; the Kitchen still had an open roof ; and portable braziers filled with embers were too often the only means of warming other apart- ments. Glass windows were almost monopolised by the Church. The Hall floor was still usually of clay, except the Dais of wood at one end ; the floors of domestic Offices of course were of the primitive material. The general state of domestic habits may be best appreciated by illustrations beyond our province ; for example, spoons and fingers had to serve for forks, and, whether between linen sheets in the more private Chamber, or under a blanket in the Common Hall, the sleeper slept with- out the luxury of a night-dress ; but with such circumstances Chap. V. CHARNEY BASSETT. 25 before ns we can at all events the better believe that the roughly-plastered walls of noble houses are scarcely admitted to have known either wainscoting or tapestry, whilst the furniture was only of that kind which could be made on the spot by the village carpenter, and most of it fixed in its place. Drainage was so defective that the first attempt to carry it under ground is recorded to have been made at this time in the case of West- minster Palace, where the refuse and dirty water from the royal Hitchens flowed through an open gutter in the floor of the Great Hall itself, in such a manner that the foul odours arising there- from affected the health of persons at Court ; wherefore a covered drain was ordered to be made to pass into the Thames. The almost universal Building-material , for even the best houses, was still timber. The bath, said to have been introduced from the East, appears only in royal houses, and then in the primitive form of a large tub in a closet. We welcome the addition of new and useful Offices ; but if we permit ourselves to hope that precision had been attained in their appropriation, we shall be much disappointed ; for not only was the Cellar of a good house often converted into a Stable, and the Stable frequently made available as a Dormitory for servants, but in the noblest Resi- dences bread and beer, cold pasties, napery, and chandlery fre- quently held joint possession of the Sewery ; and in the Ward- robes of a king’s Palace the unpleasing odours of clothing-stuffs mingled with those of the “ stomatica,” such as almonds, ginger, and sugars, whilst the tailors sat stitching upon the chest that held the royal plate. The list of Remains given for the thirteenth century (from Parker, as before) consists of the following : — Pythagoras’s School, Cambridge; Temple Farm, Strood, Kent; Aydon Castle, Northumberland ; Little Wenham Hall, Suffolk ; Charney Bassett, and the old Manor-house at Sutton Courtenay, Berk- shire ; Ryball, Rutland ; Somerton Castle, Lincolnshire ; Stam- ford, Aslackby, Nassington, Northamptonshire ; Woodcroft, ditto; Thame Prebendal House, Chipping Norton, Coggs, and Collisford, Oxfordshire ; Godmersham, Kent ; Goodrich Castle, Herefordshire. Plate IV. presents, in the second figure, the plan of the Charney Bassett example, called in the neighbourhood the Monks’ House, and recognised to have been a Grange of the Abbey of Abingdon. The Hall as usual had no upper floor ; 26 FOURTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. but both wings were of two stories. The circumstance that the monastic Granges furnish generally the most reliable remains of this date has already been mentioned : the disadvantage of the fact lies in the peculiarities which were dictated by monastic habits, as exemplified in the present instance. The Mmks 9 Kitchen (as supposed) and a r small Cellar in one wing have above them the Solar or Chamber and the Chapel (perhaps audi- torium and chancel rather). The other wing has a large apart- ment on each story ; perhaps the Monks’ Hall or Refectory , and the Monks' Dormitory or Chamber. The domestic Offices be- come matter of speculation. (See further the Appendix, Notes on Plate IV.) Little Wenham Hall may also be described. It consists of a plain oblong Cellar on the ground-level and a Hall over, with a sort of turret at one angle, containing a vault on the Ground story, a Chapel on the level of the Hall, and a small Chamber above the Chapel. A turnpike-stair leads from the ground to the Chapel and the Chamber over it ; and the Hall is reached by steps outside. It is possible that the apartment over the Chapel may be a Priest’s Chamber: in this case either the house is altogether devoid of the customary Solar, or the lower apartment must be the Hall, and the upper the Solar. The uncertainty exemplified here, as in the previous example also, illustrates two points — first, the feebleness or want of skill which characterises the plan of the period ; and secondly, the general accuracy of the broad principles of scanty accommodation which have been laid down. CHAPTEE YI. — Fourteenth Century. Privacy introduced. — The Priest's Chamber ; the Queen’s Chamber. — Other tests of Progress : augmented accommodation and improved arrangement. — The Great Hall in its perfection. — Quadrangular Manor-house of the period, and its improved accommodation : Chapel and Chapel Chamber, Family Parlour or Withdrawing-room, Second Parlour, Lady’s Chamber or Bower, Banqueting Hall, improved Stairs, Wardrobes, Bath-room, Garden. — Bedchambers fully intro- duced. — Convenience not keeping pace. — Remains : Wolterton — Kenilworth (Plate V.). It must have been apparent for some time to the reader that one of the most important points involved in the improvement Chap. VI. PRIVACY INTRODUCED. 27 of plan has been that of domestic privacy. There are two forms in which, in our own day, this is especially cared for ; namely, the separation of the family from the servants, and the still further retirement of the female sex ; and it may appear won- derful that ideas now so axiomatic in their nature as these should have required any considerable time for development. But in reality it is plain that the gradual and even slow evo- lution of this privacy was a great problem of plan in which up to the fourteenth century but very little progress had been made, and in which it will be found, moreover, as we go on, that for certainly two hundred years to come progress was still slow and uncertain. When our Saxon ancestor and his house- hold dwelt in a primitive Hall, the one only apartment they possessed for eating, cooking, sleeping, dressing, and altogether undressing, indiscriminately, we may be said to be as near the bottom of the ladder as imagination would approve. The Chamber was first added for the use of the master in business during the day, and the retirement of the family and friends during the night. The introduction of a separate Kitchen, we may say, then relieved the Hall of cookery ; and the Cellar and Buttery relieved it of beer-tubs and flitches of bacon. But this was only an insignificant advance after all towards privacy ; and the question will be asked — what member of the family first obtained an absolutely private room ? The persons of chief importance in a noble household were three, — the lord, the lady, and the priest ; the first, we may say, the representative of dig- nity, the second of delicacy, the third of reflection. Which of these, in an age so unsophisticated, would be the first to claim privacy, is a point easily determined. The pride of the lord was not yet of that kind which we call exclusiveness ; the fasti- diousness of the lady was all undeveloped ; but the contempla- tive occupation of the priest demanded quiet. Accordingly, beside the Chapel of the Norman Castle we have seen the Priest's Chamber ; and this constituted, we must say, the first properly private apartment in an Englishman’s house. The Chamber of the lord, even at this commencement of the four- teenth century, is but a species of Family-Parlour-Bedroom, withdrawn from the turmoil of the “ great house-place : ” the “ Lady’s Chamber ” is generally a luxury to come ; it is in Royal Houses alone, and not until quite recently, that the mention 28 FOURTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. of the Queen’s Chamber marks the introduction of female privacy. It may further be said in general terms that there are two other principles upon which the progress of plan in the Middle Ages will be found to turn, namely, the advancement of admi- nistrative efficiency by the addition of new apartments, chiefly Offices, and the improvement of the system of arrangement as a whole with a view to compactness and convenience. There are thus three questions henceforward to be kept in mind as elements of criticism ; namely, increased 'privacy , augmented accommodation , and improved arrangement . The progress of the fourteenth century was altogether in the same direction as that of the thirteenth ; it involved little that was novel, but a fair amount of serviceable amelioration on the past. It is chiefly to be remarked that the Hall of the mediaeval house now reached perfection. Not only in the residences of the king, but in those of the princes, the prelates, the wealthier aristocracy, and even the new order of great merchants, it attained such dimensions and stateliness as are illustrated still in our own day by Westminster Hall, for example, and Crosby Hall, the “ great house-places ” respectively of the King and of a munificent citizen. The Common Hall of this age w r as, in fact, the grandest dwelling-room of which we have any record. Its lofty walls, expansive windows, and elaborated roof, placed its architecture on a par with the ecclesiastical. The spacious Dais at one end, raised by two or three steps, its walls covered with costly arras, was occupied by the chief or high table of state. At the opposite end the new feature of a wood partition, having sometimes considerable pretension, enclosed a vestibule, called the Entry or Screens , containing the entrance door, the back door, and others leading to the Pantry, Buttery, and house- hold Offices generally. The entrance door was protected by an external Porch. Above the Screens was the Minstrels' Gallery. In the centre of the Hall was placed the Reredos or brass grate for fire, with its Louvre in the roof above. Along each side of the lower Hall were placed the ordinary tables for retainers and less dignified guests. In the Screens were a side- board for serving, and a stone laver with its cistern for washing hands and dishes. The squire waited upon the knight at table, and the youth of noble and even royal birth “ did service in Chap. VI. WITHDRAWING-ROOM, BOWER, &c. 29 the Hall.” On the tables and buffet on the Dajs the wealth of a king or a great courtier was daily displayed in a collection of gold and silver plate : and the good cheer of the banquet is still one of the most prominent and popular traditions of our land. It is only to be regretted that modern sentiments cannot be reconciled to what has still to be remembered, that when the feast was done the bulk of the company, of both sexes alike, passed the night upon the floor. For an instance of the ordinary Manor-house of this period there may be imagined a pair of irregular two-story wings attached to the ends of a large Hall. Sometimes the building enclosed in this way an interior Quadrangle ; having in front a wall, or Outbuildings, and a Grate-house ; the whole surrounded by a Moat, and presenting externally a castellated appearance. The wing connected with the Dais end of the Hall accommodated the few Family rooms and the Chapel ; the other wing the house- hold Offices. The principal improvements upon preceding plan may be gathered from the following notes. The Chapel was near the Dais. It was sometimes of the height of the two stories, with an auditorium below for the household, and an upper room or Chapel- Chamber (sometimes a gallery) attached to the chief Chamber above, for the lord and lady and the more honourable guests. The chief Chamber, Lord's Chamber , or Parlour, being the Chamber or Solar of old usage, was now magnified both in size and importance into a Withdraiving-room ; the family using the Hall only at meals. It was situated be- hind the Dais and on the upper floor, and had a small interior window whereby to overlook what was passing in the Hall. Under this apartment there was generally the traditional Cellar or general vault ; but sometimes it seems as if this space had been converted into a second Parlour . The Lady's Chamber or Bower seems to have come into more frequent use. It was properly a new apartment (the “ Queen’s Chamber” of our last century examples) near the Lord’s Chamber, as the lady’s private sitting-room ; but in cases where the family Parlour took the place of the old-fashioned Cellar, the sleeping-room above, or Solar, may have served for the Bower. In the more stately royal Palaces and Castles this lower Parlour seems to have become a second Hall or private eating-room, called the Banquet- ing Hall as distinguished from the Common Hall or house-place. In large houses the external stairs of old custom had disappeared, 30 FOURTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. as we should expect, in favour of the spiral turret-stair or Turn- pike ; the access to the Minstrel’s Gallery, however, and even to the chief Chamber, was often by clumsy wooden flights of steps inside the Hall. The Kitchen , Buttery , Pantry, Larder, and various Cellars for stores, fuel, and the like, remained pretty much on the former plan ; but although a Solar or loft was some- times formed over these, we have no reason yet to think that servants’ sleeping accommodation was thus provided, however self-evident the improvement may appear to us. Some supple- mentary apartments were still improving. The Wardrobe had become more established. It was generally on the Ground- floor, and sometimes took the place of the Cellar beyond the Dais. In large establishments there were several Wardrobes ; the storage of clothing, dress, furnishings, feather beds, and so forth, requiring considerable space. Lofts may have been used for this purpose. The Bath-room was also more common; it was attached to the sleeping accommodation, and contained a capacious tub and a laver of stone or lead. It may also be noticed that the Garden begins to be more freely spoken of in writings of the period ; sometimes the refined idea of placing the Bower on the Ground-floor, with a door to the Garden, is to be met with. In rare cases the Garden is thought to have con- tained not only various fruits and flowers, but such adornment as a grotto could afford, or even a fountain ; the latter, however, being not a jet, but a flow. It is also satisfactory to know that at length glazed windows had become common, and not only in the Hall and Parlours, but in minor rooms. The fireplace also was now universally in use for all Family-rooms ; and some- times even for the Common Hall. The question of Bedchambers, which we allowed to be post- poned when dealing with the last century, comes now to be more intelligible ; as it is certain that, at the period now before us, considerable advance was made in the direction implied- One form in which the improvement suggested in the earlier use of the word “ Bedchambers ” might be accounted for is the subdivision of a large room into small compartments. There were certain cases, for instance, where the Dormitories of the monks were divided by curtains or screens into rows of small private cells ; and it has been inquired whether this plan may not have been adopted in private houses of importance. There does not, however, seem to be any actual evidence to support Chap. VI. BEDCHAMBERS. 31 this hypothesis. On the other hand, we are asked to say whether the chief Chamber, when enlarged in size, may not have been fitted up with screens, so as to hold several bed- steads : to which it may be replied that such certainly could not have been the case while the apartment was used as a day-room also. But the point is practically set at rest now by the fact that the best fourteenth-century houses are ascertained to have possessed several rooms specially set apart for sleeping. Not that these were always, or even generally, appropriated to single beds ; several bedsteads would be placed in a large room, and it would be a small one indeed which had only one; but the fact that privacy of sleeping accommodation was now fairly introduced is none the less plain, and the great value of the new principle will be readily appreciated. The advancement of the science of house-plan was thus very considerable in the fourteenth century. The claims of privacy in particular had become much more clearly recognised. The Lady's Bower , (Boudoir,) the Family Parlour , the multiplica- tion of Bedrooms, are all most important novelties : and it is considered, by the bye, that a great deal was here due to the influence of France. We have to bear in mind, however, that the Sitting-room which contains no bedstead was absolutely unknown ; we must not overrate progress even yet. The Bower and the Lord’s Chamber were both essentially sleeping apart- ments. In the Boyal Palace itself the king and queen gave audiences in what we should now call their Bedrooms; and petitions and presents, as records remark, were laid, not always on the table, but often on the bed. The extent to which improvement had come to be effected in respect of the second of our three principles of criticism is easily discernible : the additions to the accommodation being chiefly in the shape of the important Family-rooms just spoken of. The Offices, as will be remembered, having had their own peculiar period of progress in the preceding century, stood less in need of extension. The better arrangement of the plan, as the last question, does not appear to have been much promoted. Indeed it is probable that the greater the number of apartments the less their merit of arrangement. In other words, the art of convenient dis- position was not keeping pace with the increase of accommoda- tion ; which, however, we could readily believe in any case. 32 FOURTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. The list of remains of fourteenth-century houses, derived from the source hitherto quoted, is as follows : — Abbey Manor-house, Sutton Courtenay, Berkshire ; Prior Crawden’s house, Ely ; Nash Court, Palace at Charing, Southfleet Rectory, Penshurst, and Court Lodge at Great Chart, Kent ; Uffington, Lincoln- shire ; Barnack, Northamptonshire ; Broughton Castle, Oxford- shire ; Acton Burnell, Ludlow Castle, Stoke Say Castle, Shrop- shire ; Bishop’s Palace and Vicar’s Close, Wells, and Clevedon Court, Somerset ; Place House, Tisbury, Wiltshire ; South Wrax- hall, ditto ; and the Mote, Ightham, Kent. In illustration of the arrangements peculiar to the fourteenth century, we should have been glad to present an example of the more advanced Manor-house, or, in modern phrase, the Mansion of the period ; but the one which will be brought forward with the next chapter, in Plate VI., namely, Wolterton in Norfolk, is of such superior- practical value for the purpose (although belonging in point of date to the following century), that it seems best to be content with this reference to it in passing, and to offer at present an instance of another kind. We therefore, in Plate V., give one of the Castles of the time, the famous Kenilworth. The change, already described, which in the thirteenth century was introduced into the old Castles of England, continued in operation throughout the fourteenth ; that is to say, the practice of building within the inner Bailey an entire new Residence upon the model of the Manor-houses of the day was still pursued as a rule. In the case of Kenilworth, the Keep and one of the subsidiary towers are of Norman date ; in the thirteenth century additions of some magnitude were erected, probably of wood; and in the fourteenth century these were removed by a new owner, John of Gaunt, who built what may be called a new mansion in the manner represented by the plan. The arrange- ment of these buildings furnished a very fair instance of the peculiar model of the period. A magnificent Common Hall was placed opposite the entrance. On the one side were ranged the Family Apartments , the detail of whose plan is now lost. On the other side there were the Kitchen and domestic Offices , probably built of wood. The ancient Keep flanked the latter wing, being not incorporated with the house, but merely per- mitted to remain in existence, — partly perhaps as a relic of antiquity, and partly as a means of defence. The irregularity KENILWORTH CASTLE, W 14^ Century. MOAT ' V Chap. VII. SOCIAL TRANSITION. S3 of plan here exemplified is very characteristic of the age. Looking at the great extent of the wings, both that of the Family-rooms and that of the Offices, we may also feel assured that on both sides the multiplication of apartments was fully carried into effect. None the less, looking at the disposition of the whole plan, and bearing in mind that Corridors were yet unknown, we may rest satisfied that inter-communication was of the clumsiest, and convenience of the least. (See also Appendix , Plate V.) Of Warwick Castle, Broughton Castle in Oxfordshire, and Meare Manor-house in Somerset (an Abbey Grange), there are also published plans (see Parker), which may be examined with interest, as illustrations of fourteenth-century arrangement. CHAPTER VII. — Fifteenth Century. Transitional character of the time, and its effect on plan. — The Common Hall in decadence. — Improvements in Sleeping accommodation. — Supplementary addi- tions — Ewelme Inventory. — Ewery and Cupboard. — Chamber of Pleasaunce. — Scullery , Butler 8 Pantry , Bakehouse and Brewhouse, Stables and Stable-Yard. — Half-sunk Basement. — Wolterton Manor-house (Plate VI.). — Oxburgh Hall (Plate VII.) ; Quadrangular plan without Corridors. — Remains. — Cor- responding improvement in Town-Houses, &c. Between- the period we have just described and the well-known Age of the Tudors, the fifteenth century is little else than a time of transition. The events which make this century so remarkable in the world’s history are familiar to every reader, — the commercial revolution effected by the mariner’s compass,— the equal revolu- tion in warfare produced by the use of gunpowder, — the spread of intelligence through the invention of printing and of paper,-— the dispersion of the scholars of Constantinople, and the revival of classic learning in Italy, — the establishment of numerous scholastic foundations, and the consequent spread of lay know- ledge, — the augmentation of wealth by the discovery of India and America, — and the commencement of the reformation of religion: The influence of such events upon the subject of our present study would necessarily be very great. Notwithstanding foreign and domestic wars which prevailed D 34 FIFTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. throughout the entire century, the social condition of England was steadily improving. The authority of public law was well established. Wealth was still increasing, and the refinement which it brings. The classes of traders and artisans were be- coming every day, not only of greater importance in the state, but of greater usefulness to the community. The serfs of the manors had attained the independence of hired labourers. The old-established officials of a household were becoming less of retainers and more of servants. The men-at-arms, who had for centuries crowded the baron’s Hall, and eaten the bread of idle- ness, were scattered amongst his fields as industrious yeomen and peasantry. The first effects upon domestic plan were these. When forti- fication underwent a revolution, it became obvious that, although a stronghold of the State must withstand siege artillery, a pri- vate dwelling need not be calculated to resist more than the occasional violence of a mob. The ancient “ House-place,” again, need no longer be of such magnitude as to accommodate a host of retainers and labourers, when these had been domiciled apart in homes of their own. The castellated style of design, therefore, became henceforth mere matter of ornament ; and the great Hall of the preceding century began to be but thinly filled. The chief apartment, however, in a fifteenth-century Manor- house was still the Common Hall. It still had its Screen and Minstrels' Gallery, Entrance Porch , Bach-door , and doors or passage to the household Offices. But the size was greatly reduced. The Dais was frequently omitted. A sideboard or buffet was sometimes placed at the back of the Dais, or in a Bay-window at the side, which now became a characteristic feature in the Hall. The reredos or brazier retained its general place in the centre of the floor ; but it was giving way more and more to th e fireplace in the wall. The Hall of a good house was no longer the general dormitory. Sleeping accommodation became much improved ; amongst the better class of people it was becoming more and more the com- fortable custom to retire to a special Bedchamber, assume a night-dress, and sleep between linen sheets on a soft feather- bed; the multiplication of Bedrooms in various forms' conse- quently still went on. The records speak of the Camera , the Cuhiculum , and the Dormitorium ; distinguishing from each Plate 6 . Woltertoii . WOLTERTON MANOR HOUSE. 15 A Century. From Vetusta Monumenta (with suggestions*) GROUND FLOOR. Scale. 1 Inch to 30 Feet. 50 Feet I ; I Chap. VII. THE HALL IN DECADENCE. 35 other, we may suppose, the room for one bed, that for two or three, and that for many. At all events a standard Dormitory is now clearly traceable in houses still extant, being a large apartment next the roof (a loft or “upper floor” in the pre- ceding century), sometimes over the Hall, and sometimes else- where ; and as the servants had ceased to occupy the Hall during the night, no doubt this chamber had accommodated them. In a word, precisely as the Hall became diminished in importance, the sleeping-rooms increased in number. The subsidiary accom- modation connected with the Bedrooms also began to acquire a little prominence in plan ; the Ewelme Inventory of 1466 men- tions “the great Chamber , my lady's Closet , the gentlewoman's Closet , the lord's Chamber , my lord's outer Closet , Washing Closet , and Nursery." Wardrobe closets also appear to have been sys- tematically attached to Bedchambers ; the Washing Closet or j Ewery was common ; and Cupboards had become universal instead of chests and lockers. With regard to other portions of the house, little requires to be said. Amongst the better classes of that day, of both sexes, education and polished manners had made considerable pro- gress; and that this of itself must have caused the gradual withdrawal of the family from the company of their inferiors needs no proof. There is, accordingly, evidence to show that privacy was being still more considered, as in the disposition of the Bower or Withdrawing-room, or “ Chamber of Plea - saunce ; " and we may suppose that the bedstead was in some cases removed from it,— or if not, from the Lord’s Chamber, — possibly from both. We do not find any room to have been yet set apart as a Library ; but books we know were common in the private apartments. The Chapel underwent no alteration. The Kitchen Offices became more systematically attached to the main house ; and being kept up on the same scale of dimensions as before, not- withstanding the diminished household, may be said to have been comparatively improved. A Scullery is found in many instances ; and indeed in our own most convenient form, in so far that it is entered from beside the Kitchen fireplace. As regards the proper purposes of storage, the Larder and Pantry frequently became one, their contents having so much decreased in quantity ; whilst the introduction of glass bottles caused the Buttery to be lost entirely in the Wine and Beer Cellars. Hence d 2 36 FIFTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. the Butler s Pantry , which became, as regards the service of the table, greatly improved in character. Bakehouse and Brew- house became more common. Stables were frequently built alto- gether apart, and combined with a Stable Yard. Of other less important changes it is not necessary to speak ; except it be to note the circumstance that the plan of placing the domestic Offices in a half-sunk Basement is considered to have begun to be practised, at least so far as relates to Store-rooms, Cellars, and other inferior apartments. An example of well-known interest is given in Plate VI. — the Manor-house of Wolterton, at East Barsham, in Norfolk, assigned in actual date to the last years of this century, but probably as regards characteristic arrangement more peculiarly illustrative of the previous time. This house is of considerable size, but of simple plan. The Hall, Porch , Bay-window, and no doubt Screen, are all according to the best standard ; connected with the Dais-end of the Hall are the Family Booms, and with the other the Offices ; and the whole, in spite of a little uncer- tainty, gives us a clear impression of the domestic habits of the time. (See further the Notes in the Appendix, Plate VI.) Another of the best accepted examples of this period is given in Plate VII., namely Oxburgh Hall, in Norfolk, which was begun to be built in 1482. We perceive here what is called Quadran- gular plan; but in its simplest form, that is to say, without Corridors, — a number of external doors towards the Court, and of internal doors of intercommunication between the rooms, con- stituting a very awkward substitute. The Hall, with its Screens and Porch, forms the nucleus of plan. On one hand generally are the Offices, and on the other the Family-rooms ; the former connected with the Hall at the lower or Buttery end, and the latter at the upper or Da’is end. The Bay-windows at this end also are remarkable ; so likewise the Staircase, if we may pre- sume this to have belonged to the original house. The arrange- ment of the Dining- Chamber and the Withdrawing-rooms is especially characteristic. It must be remarked that, as the drawing is of date 1774, it involves of course in some instances modern alterations ; but on the whole the illustration is reliable, and well worthy of study. (See further the Notes on Plate VII. in the Appendix) The catalogue of fifteenth-century Bemains is of too great extent to be inserted here; but of those buildings which are OXBURGH HALL, NORFOLK Plate 7. Oxburgh. FLOOR. Chap. VIII. THE TUDOR PERIOD. 37 most generally quoted, we may mention Haddon Hall, Hatfield, Eltham, Knowle, Crosby Hall, Hampton Court, and Oxburgh Hall recently referred to. The science of plan in respect of Country-Seats was thus rapidly advancing: and it may be noted with satisfaction in passing, that corresponding progress has now to be acknow- ledged, not only in the Town-Mansions of the nobility, but in the residences of wealthy merchants, and the dwellings generally of the citizens, as well as in the Public Halls of the Guilds, and other civic buildings which lie beyond our province. CHAPTER VIII. — Sixteenth Century. The Tudor period, historical features. — Diminution of the number of retainers, increased hospitality, &c., and further decline of the Hall. — Dining Chamber , Servants Hall and Entrance Hall. — Boudoir, Summer and Winter Parlours, increase of Bedchambers. — Corridors, Gallery and Staircase. — Hengrave Hall (Plate VIII.). — Hatfield House (Plate IX.).- — The manner of John Thorpe. • — Remains. The sixteenth century we may call the Tudor period. It is as closely identified with the reigns of the Tudors, — from the acces- sion of Henry VII., a few years before its commencement, to the decease of Elizabeth, three years after its close, — as the duration of that dynasty is well understood to constitute a definite, complete, and peculiar chapter of English history. In our par- ticular subject it forms a period of remarkable interest. In 1563 we have the publication of the first English work on the new style of architecture , by John Shute, who had just returned from Italy, its birthplace. The celebrated John Thorpe was busily at work towards the end of the century, and beyond it Following him at a very little distance there was to appear Inigo Jones. Ecclesiastical building, early in the century, may be said to have utterly died out in England; and domestic design therefore occupied the entire architectural field. Although the wars of the Roses are not considered to have either revived feudal manners amongst the belligerent classes, or discouraged progress amongst the more peaceable, the power- ful government of Henry VII. still pursued the policy by which the Crown had for ages been strengthening its authority, and 38 SIXTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. even more than ever took pains to change the character of the nobility. Not only were new families introduced extensively, but positive legal enactments appear to have been continually brought into operation to overthrow the ancient custom of main- taining large bodies of military retainers. The effect upon household arrangements was necessarily the promotion of further changes in the same direction as those which are identified with the preceding century. Wealth expended itself in more refined hospitality; equipage and retinue, with diminished numbers, exhibited increased magnificence ; the distinctions of rank became wider; and the luxuries of life were every day more highly appreciated. Under Henry VIII. social advancement pursued the same course; and the confiscation of the eccle- siastical estates, and their bestowal upon the courtiers, especially accelerated the effect. The reigns of Edward VI. and Mary constituted in some respects an interval of reaction ; but that of Elizabeth carried forward the progress of society with redoubled vigour. It will be remembered that in the fourteenth century the great Common Hall, which had been steadily growing in magni- tude and magnificence for four hundred years, had attained a climax in both respects ; and that in the fifteenth it was on the decline. We now find it to have been still diminishing in importance during the sixteenth century, and in some instances indeed to have disappeared. In smaller houses more especially, where servants were few, by the time of Elizabeth a Family Parlour is considered to have been a most frequent substitute, the domestics being accommodated in the Kitchen ; whilst in many of the larger establishments a “ Dining Chamber ” accom- modated the family, and an inferior Hall the servants, — all that remained of the Common Hall of antiquity being a grand j Entrance- Hall, occasionally used for festivity but no more. The Withdrawing-room at the same time was acquiring in- creased dignity, and the separate Boudoir or Lady’s Bower more comfort. We also meet with Summer Parlour and Winter Parlour , in contradistinction. The number of Bedchambers was still increasing, and, in the best and latest examples, had reached very nearly the extended limits common in our own day. Applying the three tests of progress which we laid down several chapters back, that which turns upon the promotion of privacy was thus being abundantly satisfied ; with regard to the HENGRAVE HALL, SUFFOLK. Plate 8. Hengrave (•As occupied in 177&J GROUND FLOOR. Chap. VIII. HENGRAVE-HALL. 39 other two, the degree of advancement may with equal facility be ascertained. In the matter of arrangement it must have been seen that hitherto the multiplication of apartments had produced little else than doors of intercommunication between rooms, an in- creased number of external doors, and a few internal Passages , narrow, defectively lighted, and tortuous. Now, however, although such doors and passages still remained in general use, yet in the better class of houses it was only in inferior parts ; and the chief thoroughfares were made in the* novel form of Corridors. That peculiar feature of Elizabethan plan, the Gallery, was also introduced ; some examples being not only important in respect of size, but, we may say, magnificent in design. The Staircase also became much amplified and elaborated. This and the Gallery, indeed, were sometimes made to constitute the principal features of the house. Most welcome they were to English plan : and if they made their appearance in such per- fection that we must consider them to have been to some extent importations, yet they were certainly applied in a manner of which England must take the merit. As regards convenience it is obvious that they were of especial value. Of the progress of accommodation, the most remarkable illus- tration is the often-quoted inventory of the Eooms and Offices of Hengrave Hall, in Suffolk. The number of distinct apart- ments catalogued is nearly one hundred and twenty, of which the following are the chief in interest ; — the Hall ; the chief or Queen’s Chamber, with Inner Chamber and Yeomen’s Gallery adjoining ; the Dining Chamber and closet ; the Summer Parlour, the Winter Parlour ; the Chapel with its closet, and the Chapel Chamber ; the Prospect Chamber ; the Galleries; nearly forty Bedchambers and other Private Rooms distinguished by the names of occupants and otherwise ; the Nursery, and Maid’s Chamber adjoining; the Bathing Chamber; the Armoury; the Schoolmaster’ s-room ; “the Chamber where the Musicians play;” specific Eooms for the steward, clerk of kitchen, and other servants ; “ the Hinds’ Hall,” the Kitchen, Pantry, Dry Larder , Wet Larder, Pastry-room, Scouring -house, nether and upper Still-houses; “ my Lady’s Store-house , in the Entry ; ” the Laundry and Linen-room; the Wardrobe; the Wine-cellar and Outer- cellar; the Dairy, Cheese-room , and Outer Dairy; the Brew- house, Bakehouse, Malt-house, Hop-house, and Hop-yard ; the 40 SIXTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. Slaughter-house; the Fish-house, and Fish-yard; and the Porter's Lodge. It is plain that this house contained almost all the material of a modern nobleman’s Mansion, with indeed some additional items of questionable value. An examination of the plan (Plate VIII.) will show also how far the arrangements were based upon improved principles of internal communication. The drawing and the appropriation of the rooms are of date 1775, and will not he found to accord with the Inventory which we have quoted ; but the discrepancies are not such as to interfere with the illustrative character of the subject, and if carefully investigated will be found usefully suggestive. It will be seen that, as regards general arrangement, we have here again Quadrangular plan, but now with Corridors, and con- sequently without the numerous external doors and doors of intercommunication which in Oxburgh constitute so serious a defect. The Hall is still the chief feature, but very much modified in respect of purpose, — probably exceptionally so. We have considered it to be the tendency of the age that the ancient Common Hall should lose the character of an eating-apartment, and retain that of an entrance-apartment. Even in the case of Oxburgh this seems to be the practical reading of the plan. But in Hengrave the Hall obviously has no connection with the Entrance whatever. Neither does it present the other character. In the original design, no doubt, it was to be the great Dining* Hall of the family ; but it would seem to have proved unsuitable for this purpose at an early date, except perhaps on occasions of festivity. We must take it on the whole as an example of the uncertainty which was now creeping into Mediaeval plan ; and as such it is instructive. Looking next at the Offices, we find that they are still connected with the lower end of the Hall ; they take, however, the novel form of a separate wing, and are dis- posed upon entirely new principles. The Family Rooms, on the other hand, with which the Quadrangle is now wholly sur- rounded, have departed altogether from ancient precedent. (See further the Appendix, Plate VIII.) The other example, represented in Plate IX., Hatfield House, Herts, is perhaps the most remarkably characteristic plan which w r e possess of the final Elizabethan manner. Its actual date is supposed to be some ten years after the close of the century in hand; but that is immaterial. The reader will find no difficulty HATFIELD HOUSE, HERTFORDSHIRE. Chap. VIII. JOHN THORPE. 41 in eliminating tlie modern part of the appropriation of the rooms: and that which remains-— the skeleton of arrangement and the basis of ancient nomenclature— may, after what has been already said, be safely left to his attentive study. (See also the Notes in the Appendix, Plate IX.) The historical position of the architect John Thorpe, as indi- cated by the peculiar arrangements of Holland House and various others of his works,* must not be overlooked. His plans are certainly not in the style of those just referred to as charac- teristic of his age. But we should do wrong to consider him in the light of a stepping-stone between departing Medievalism and the approaching Classicism of Inigo Jones. He seems to have divided his time between London and Paris ; he certainly practised in France as well as in England; and his French designs exhibit the same manner of arrangement as certain of his English ones: — his peculiarities, therefore, we may consider to be French where they are not English ; there is no need to suppose direct Italian influence. No doubt the premonitions of the coming dominion of Italian plan, as, for example, in the adoption of Basement Offices by Thorpe in both countries, may have shown themselves in France earlier than in England, and thus in England through Thorpe ; but in the next chapter we shall see the advent of the proper influence of Italy in the form of a revolution the most complete, towards which the manner of Thorpe carries us but a very little way. It will therefore be wisest to regard the manner of the sixteenth century exclu- sively in the light of such examples as Hengrave and Hatfield (the latter, by the bye, being actually of Thorpe’s time), so that, when Elizabethan plan reappears in revival two hundred years after, to recommence a progress here suddenly interrupted, we may recognise it in its true character. The existing Remains of sixteenth-century houses are of course numerous; some of the chief being Hooton Hall, Wolverton Hall, Penshurst, Hampton Court (part), East Barsham, Oxnead, Burleigh, Wollaton Hall, and Hengrave. (For the architectural character of the Elizabethan houses, the reader, if uninformed, may turn to our Notes on Architectural Style, Chapter II.) * See his drawings in Sir John Soane’s Museum ; or the selection published by Richardson. 42 SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. CHAPTER IX. — Seventeenth Century. Introduction of Palladian Architecture, corresponding revolution in domestic plan, and introduction of the Italian Villa. — Basement Offices , Saloon, Portico, Sym- metrical Partitionment, &c. — Derivation from the ancient Roman manner. — Stoke Park and Ambresbtjry (Plate X.). — Sacrifice of convenience to gran- diose effect. — The Puritan times. — Marlborough House (Plate XI.). — ^Pre- servation of the Elizabethan manner in the old houses. Early in this century the revived Classic style of architecture in proper form was transplanted into England by Inigo Jones. (See the Notes on Architectural Style , Chapter III.) He had acquired the mastery of it by patient study upon Italian soil, where the works of Palladio, then but recently deceased, were in full authority. There appears, also, to be no reason to believe that any other than Jones introduced Italian Plan . Nothing could be more decidedly a revolution than the change which now took place in the arrangement of an English Gentle- man’s House. In a word, the old English model was made obsolete ; and a new Mansion, to be in the fashion, must be an Italian Villa, copied out of Palladio's book, reason or none. Under the mediaeval system, including the practice of the Tudor period, we have seen a large variety of apartments gra- dually grouped together, without much regularity of disposition ; the chief Dwelling-rooms and the Offices forming the Ground- story (as in Hengrave, rather than Hatfield) ; and the Sleeping- rooms, with some others exceptionally, constituting one floor above, or in occasional instances two. The new mode, on the contrary, as a rule, elevated the house upon a complete Base- ment, composed of the whole of the Offices, the Principal floor constituting the Family Dwelling-rooms, and one story above accommodating the Bedchambers. In the matter of stateliness of design, the utmost endeavours of the Tudor time had been limited ; an elaborated Porch at the Hall-entrance, — a resusci- tation in the Hall itself, in the form of somewhat meretricious ornament, of a little of that dignity which in all besides it had lost, — and a corresponding magnificence, quaint rather than imposing, in the new Galleries and Staircases, which had been copied, perhaps we may say, from the French. But now the old mediaeval Hall was entirely surrendered ; upon quite another principle there was formed a central Saloon ( a modification of AMBRESBURY, WILTSHIRE. Stoke Park &■ Arribresbiny. Chap. IX. PALLADIANISM. 43 the open Cortile of the larger Palazzi, adapted to the Villa, or Country-seat, in Italy), reaching in height to the roof of the building, lighted from above, and surrounded by the apartments generally ; instead of the comparatively trifling Elizabethan Porch, there was a majestic Portico of columns, with a broad ascent of steps ; other entrances from the various quarters were disposed with little regard to economy of space, but with a constant study of imposing symmetrical effect; and, whether the design was on a large scale or a small, there was no longer any toleration of irregularity or picturesqueness or any other unstudied grace, but the whole building must be massed into an imposing composition, beside which the rambling old Elizabethan Mansion was in a manner dwarfed, while at the same time it must be confessed, that beside the Elizabethan Mansion the new Villa too often might have been charged with seeming more like some temple of the gods than the home of an English family. It may be suggested that, in its chief elements of plan, the Cinquecentist Mansion on Italian soil would in all probability prove itself to be the direct offspring of the same causes which created on the same soil the ancient Roman manner. The Atrium would be naturally reproduced in modified form in some Central Court (whether open or covered), and the spirit of the Cubiculi would appear in some symmetrical mode of arrangement for the surrounding Apartments. And that such was really the fact is plain to all who have examined the Italian examples. The essence of the new system which was intro- duced into England in the seventeenth century is thus clearly arrived at ; it was a thing of Italy and of Southern climate, and it had to supersede that which had grown up in England as a native product of Northern habits. Plate X. is one of the designs of Inigo Jones, Stoke Park. Ambresbury, also on Plate X., may be cited as another good form of the new model. Compare these plans with all that we have hitherto been considering, and no contrast could be more complete. The change is not one of details or of parts, but of radical elements. Hall and Chamber, Parlour and Bower, Quadrangle and Gallery, are all gone : and in their place we must have the Saloon of Italy, the Portico and Colonnade ; these for display, and for Dwelling-rooms a series of symmetrical com- partments into which the bulk of the house is divided at hap- hazard, to be appropriated at discretion. 44 SEVENTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. The task which the English domestic architects of the Pal- ladian school appear to have set themselves was this. In the first place they would design an edifice which should be imposing after the new style of grandeur ; exhibiting more especially that stately unity of composition, both in elevation and in plan, which we call Classic effect. In the second they would accommodate in this artistic shell, (artistic within no less than without,) in such completeness, compactness, and convenience as might be possible, all that had come to be considered requisite in the way of Family Rooms and Domestic Offices. In other words, we may say the sense of grandeur was the primary consideration, and the proprieties of convenience and comfort decidedly secondary. The witticism of Lord Chesterfield was but little overdrawn when he said of the new house of General Wade, that, as its owner found it all inconvenience within, in spite of its beauty without, the best thing he could do was to hire a lodging over the way and look at it. For thirty years in the middle of the century now under review, the Puritan revolution not only put a stop to all progress in building of the better sort, but no doubt positively discouraged the existence of intelligent designers as a profession. Sir Christopher Wren ultimately commenced a new order of things by applying the versatile powers of a clever philosopher to the business of an architect. For the remainder of the seventeenth century, however, domestic plan made no progress. Whatever Wren did he did well; and therefore his Marl- borough House, Plate XI., may be referred to as a pleasing example of skill in old age, and in probably an untried field ; but we have to wait till the next century before we see the English Mansion assuming the importance it previously held, especially in respect of plan. The question deserves to be mooted in passing, whether under the prevalence of this new system of plan there may not have been at least a respectable minority of intelligent persons who preferred the old mode, as more convenient if less academical, more comfortable if less stately. This inquiry may be so far answered by the fact, that, whilst the ancient manner was sus- pended as regards new buildings for nearly two hundred years, we certainly do not find it to have been anything like the custom to alter the old houses so as to match the new. We may at least reflect, therefore, that when, in the course of time, we shall Plale 11. MarTb or ou^v House . MARLBOROUGH HOUSE, S T JAMES’S, LONDON. Chap. X. ANGLO-PALLADIAN PLAN CONTINUED. 45 find the Elizabethan mode coming to light again, there will be no scarcity of genuine examples. (Notes on Stoke Park, Ambresbury, and Marlborouh House, will be found in the Appendix as usual, Plates X. and XI.) CHAPTER X. — Eighteenth Century. Continuance of Anglo-Palladian plan. — Blenheim (Plate XII.). — Holkham (Plate XIII.). — Hall and Saloon ; Ground-floor Bedchambers, &c. — Reference to other examples, and general characteristics. — Review of progress under Palladianism unsatisfactory. — Advancement, however, of accommodation to the complete modern standard : Dining-room, Drawing-room, Library, &c. &c. &c. The history of our subject in the eighteenth century is for- tunately very simple. The volumes of the ‘ Vitruvius Britanni- cus ’ present an exuberant variety of Mansions which were built during this period, differing in every particular of size, form, and detail. Scarcely at all, however, does their design vary in principle. First, there is the great Saloon of Palladianism as an essential ; unless economy interposes, — and then a substitute is devised on such a scale as funds will permit. Again, the classic Portico is still the rule ; unless, again, the owner cannot afford it, — in which case something else of similar purpose is provided in its stead. Symmetrical rectangular subdivision , in the next place, is the only known method of forming rooms ; and all that inge- nuity can attempt in this matter is to take pains to proportion the gross area so that it may be capable of being subdivided with facility and precision. Waste of space is characteristic of the sys- tem, and variable only in degree ; and inconvenience of disposition a thing that cannot be helped. Basement Offices are the rule. When a somewhat extravagant refinement is allowable, the utmost that can be done is to relieve the Main House of its under-story (except in the form of cellarage), and attach a pair, or even two pairs, of Wings to accommodate the Offices. We must add to all this that in great houses the architect’s ideas of magnificence expand beyond the utmost limits of precedent ; and, as if Pseudo-Classicism were to be in fashion for ever, cause him to expend large sums of money in Porticoes, Colon- nades, and other majestic efforts in “the five orders of archi- 46 EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. tecture,” whose grandeur now seems only to he matter of regret — that it should have to be kept in repair. First of eighteenth century architects, in date and eminence alike, was Sir John Vanbrugh, — aided, it is said, by Hawks- moor. So extraordinary was the power of his mind in the con- ception of massively majestic effect, that it has been a fashion to ridicule him for its excess. Pope’s couplet is not yet for- gotten : — “ Lie heavy on him, Earth ! for he Laid many a heavy load on thee.” But no critic can look at the plan of his great work, Blen- heim (Plate XII.), and fail to perceive at least the remarkable vigour of design which is present everywhere. At the same time it must be confessed that this great work must have its chief value in our reader’s eyes as illustrating the extravagant culmination of Palladian grandeur. It is impossible to overlook the fact that the pictorial magnificence of Blenheim is obtained at a prodigious pecuniary cost, and at an equal sacrifice of con- venience and comfort. Castle Howard and other designs of the same author are in similar style, and have similar defects. (See further the Appendix, Plate XII.) The architect Kent, the friend and coadjutor of the amateur Earl of Burlington, was a practitioner of somewhat later date, both greatly and widely respected. Plate XIII., which gives the plan of his principal work, Holkham, in Norfolk, illustrates, better perhaps than any other example that could be found, the peculiar merits of the more ordinary Mansions of the time. The extravagance of Vanbrugh is not here present ; neither, of course, is his majestic power. At the same time it cannot be disputed tlmt the plan, according to its style, possesses much dignity. Indeed, so much is Dignity the rule throughout the whole period, that it is questionable whether in this respect the best works of the eighteenth century have ever been equalled in the nineteenth. As one of the most notable features in houses of this period, we may point to the Small Interior courts for light. Such are to be seen in Blenheim, and also in Holkham ; and they obviously facilitate very much the arrangement of the plan. The treatment of the Saloon is an especially interesting point. The original Italian Saloon was a great dwelling-thoroughfare- Chap. X. PALLADIA^ MERITS AND DEMERITS. 47 apartment; as much so as the Gothic Hall. But in England a separate entrance-thoroughfare was essential. So we perceive that the academical Saloon became in a manner divided, — into Entrance and Ante-room. The outer portion took the name of Hall ; and the inner that of Saloon. The Hall retained the lofty height, the surrounding Galleries, and so on, of the Italian model ; but it was a Thoroughfare only. The Saloon became an inner Ante-room, in the centre generally of a suite of Draw- ing-rooms ; and if its direct communication with the open air, as being in fact the Garden-Entrance, constituted it so far a thoroughfare, it was still a Family-room. The Bedchambers on the Ground-floor of Holkham are to be noticed as a characteristic feature in the large houses of this period. The distance between the Kitchen and the Dining- room, although advantageous in itself, is of course excessive. The inconvenient character generally of the communications from the Main House to the four Wings is very remarkable. (See, however, the Notes on Plate XIII. in the Appendix for further criticism.) Amongst other architects who served the public successfully after the manner of eighteenth-century plan, we may mention Colin Campbell, Robert Adam, and John Carr of York, the authors respectively of such works as Wanstead, Kedle stone, and Harwood Hall (see 4 Vitruvius Britannicus ’) ; but there is nothing in any of their works which differs materially from what has already been explained. The Basement Offices, the Great Hall and Saloon, the Portico, the symmetrical system of partition- ment, the employment of detached wings, a reckless waste of space, and all-prevailing pretentiousness at the price of discomfort, still constitute the characteristics of the style; pedantic and fan- tastic forms of rooms are a common weakness ; and one thing which is more singular perhaps than all else, as indicative of positive want of skill, is the striking deficiency of ordinary Passages, and the readiness which is universally exhibited to create thoroughfare- rooms — not excepting even the chief apartments of the house. Of Anglo-Palladianism, therefore, closing its career of two 1 hundred years, we have to ask the question, — What had it done ii (stateliness apart) for domestic plan? It had improved upon itself, of course, and meritoriously so ; but what had it accom- plished to compete with the old system which it had sup- I planted? The three tests of our former criticisms will still 48 EIGHTEENTH CENTURY. Part I. apply. Respecting 'privacy , the progress had been little, perhaps less than appears : the thoroughfare-rooms, for example, might almost be considered retrograde. Respecting also improved arrangement , too much must not be claimed : compactness may have become better understood than in the Elizabethan time ; but convenience was sometimes, even at the close of the period, less rather than more. As regards two of our three questions of progress, then, there seems to be certainly not much to show for the work of two centuries of time ; and of this fact, we shall find, the old manner will have all the advantage presently. There was a great deal done, however, in respect of our third point. The completion and proper organisation, at least, of the Catalogue of Booms of a modern Gentleman’s House were much advanced. A reference to our account of Hengrave will remind the reader that the constituents of plan in the sixteenth century were these : — the mediaeval Hall in transition, spacious Galleries , and a Principal Staircase of noble proportions and elaborate design ; various Chambers and Parlours , — designated as Dining- chamber, Winter Dining-chamber, Summer Parlour, Winter Parlour, Lord’s Chamber, Lady’s Chamber, Bower, Withdrawing- room, &c., — but all of them much too indefinitely contrived, as regards their precise uses and their relation to each other in disposition; numerous Bedchambers with Dressing-closets occa- sionally ; Nursery and Servants’-rooms ; Servants ’ Hall and apartments for chief domestics ; Kitchen Offices of such extent as to include Scullery, Pantry, several Larders, Still-house, Store- rooms, Dairy, Brewery and Laundry Offices, and Cellars ; and various supplementary items of accommodation. A moment’s reflection, however, will show that there is here wanting much of what is held essential to more modern convenience ; and that there is present in its stead a good deal that has since been dis- carded ; and the addition or subtraction of these one by one upon the list of accommodation may be called the chief work of the Palladian period in plan. By these means the presently prevailing system grew up, with the definite and invariable Dining-room and Drawing-room as fundamentals ; Morning-room , Library , Business-room , and Boudoir; Bedrooms and Bedroom Suites ; Ball-room , Music-room, and Billiard-room ; Picture Gal- leries and Conservatories ; Vestibules and Ante-rooms ; the Supple- mentary, such as Bath-rooms and Water-closets ; and all that was wanting in the Domestic Offices ; so that there is perhaps HOLKHA M IORFOLK. Plate 13 Holkham *» * » * Chap. XI. MODERN ACCOMMODATION. 49 little, if anything, in the most comprehensive Mansions of the present day which is not to be found in those of the last century. When, therefore, at the close of that period, the practice of Pal- ladian plan may be said to have prepared itself for giving place in the march of progress to some other system, it has the credit of having completely filled up the list of accommodation for I which the ingenuity of the succeeding generation was to devise that scientific mode of adjustment and arrangement which is the subject of the body of our present treatise. CHAPTER XI.— Nineteenth Century. I A new era in domestic plan. — Various causes at work : Revivalism in Art, Eclec- ticism, Classicism, Medievalism. — The Greek revival of no effect. — The Gothic revival of much importance in the reintroduction of the Elizabethan model. — Its preferable general character. — Reaction, also, from Palladian stateliness. — - New Mansions and alterations of old ones. — Longleat and Toddington (Plates XIV., XV..), and references to other examples. — Subsidence of Palla- dian plan into the “ Square house.” — Abandonment of Basement Offices. — Great improvement in the arrangement of the Offices. — Present position of conflict of Styles in Architecture; corresponding rivalry in Style of Plan; the Mediaeval and Classic types. — Illustrations of contrast ; Llwyn House and Old Connaught ; Osborne and Balmoral ; Bridgewater House and West Shandon ; Pair of Comparative Designs ; (Plates XVI. to XXII.). — Prospects of domestic plan at the present day. — Competing merits of style. — Natural style of the soil. The portion of the nineteenth century which has already passed seems to constitute, in relation to the subject before us, as indeed to many others, a new era ; and in some important respects one | more remarkable than any period of preceding time, at least in England. As regards architectural fine-art, it has been with us the age of Revival . Opening with that Palladianism which had been long the vernacular of Europe, it introduced very soon the ! fastidious Greek % became involved more slowly, but even still more surely, in the romantic Gothic ; spared a liberal portion of attention for the dainty Elizabethan; and gave a still greater share to the eminently serviceable Non-Palladian Italian ; all i the while openly avowing more or less the novel but striking doctrine of Eclecticism , — that all are equally good in their way. : It has now to be shown that, not exactly on the same ground, ! but on ground equally good, perhaps better, our Domestic plan 50 NINETEENTH CENTURY. Part I has also passed through a series of interesting phases, following in fact a somewhat similar principle of succession ; and that its present practice is an Eclecticism which adopts the Palladian and other Italian models on the one hand, and the Elizabethan and pure Mediaeval on the other, quite indiscriminately and interchangeably. Under the general freedom of thought which prevailed at the commencement of the century, it may be affirmed that the prac- tice of Palladian plan was becoming irksome. The fundamental ideas of the system were in a great measure unquestionably exotic ; and, in such a case, it is certain that sooner or later the tendency of progress must go to undermine the dicta of routine. At the same time there was arising, in respect of the spirit of Revival already referred to, that singular competition of con- trary ideas which, in due course, has of late ripened into a direct antagonism, in all arts and letters alike, between Classicism and G-othicism of style. One faction, in short, was already springing up on the basis of an attachment to the general sentiments and traditions which belonged to antique Eoman and more primarily Greek models ; whilst another party adopted a similar attach- ment to those which pertained to ancestral mediaeval remains. It is not necessary for our proper purpose that we should compare minutely the two processes of reasoning involved ; it is enough to remark that in both cases the development of opinion was gradual but well defined, and that the only inquiry pertaining to our present investigation is one which can be readily met, — namely, how far the two principles respectively produced any change in the subject of Plan. The answer is this. The Classic revival (of the pure antique) seems to have had no effect whatever upon mere domestic arrangement ; whilst the Gothic revival has had a great deal. Notwithstanding, for instance, all the fervour of the Dilettanti thirty or forty years ago in favour of the antique, no endeavour of any importance was made to introduce into England the elements of plan of the Pompeian house. But the Gothic revival exhibited its influence from the first, in a distinct demand for the imitation of mediaeval models of plan ; fixing attention earnestly upon the Tudor and Elizabethan houses, not only aesthetically considered, but as a whole. For the old English model, with all its crudities, was English, and not even obsolete ; and such a thing as the Pompeian house, with all its refinement, LONGLEAT , WILTSHIRE . ( ^Century) GROUND Plate 14. Chap. XI. REVIVALISM. 51 foreign and antiquated ; — the one specially calculated to meet practical requirements of English comfort and convenience, and the other the growth of altogether different circumstances. Comparing together even such a house as Holkham and such a one as Hatfield, it was plain that the old English was more English than the new ; and we may even venture to affirm that, however much the original leaning of the romantic class of minds of that day towards a resuscitation of what was then called the “ Baronial ” style of architecture may have been based upon associations of a decorative kind, yet the chief considera- tion which brought the Elizabethan Mansion into fashion was the obvious superiority of its plan. It may also be of some use to remember here that a marked change had been effected, irrespective of all else, with regard to the fastidious question of Display. It was a sort of inherent virtue in the Palladian style that stateliness was so easy of accomplishment ; it was also its vice that pretentiousness was so readily encouraged. The natural result was a reaction towards simplicity ; and one which has not yet become exhausted ; for at this moment, notwithstanding all the facilities which we possess in inexpensive decoration, it must be looked upon as a rule that an English gentleman will desire to avoid obtrusiveness even at the sacrifice of a good deal of that importance which properly belongs to the rank, wealth, education, and character of his class. That this consideration, therefore, had its due weight in the establishment, in place of the more majestic Palladian, of the more modest Elizabethan, we may safely consider to be the fact. The contrast involved in the return to Elizabethan plan will be readily seen. The stately unity of the Palladian school stood on the one hand ; but with a frequent sacrifice of special con- venience to that general regularity which was essential. On the other hand there was the facile freedom of the mediaeval manner, which never scrupled, even when regularity was recog- nised, to provide boldly for the dictates of convenience; and which again never scrupled to discard regularity entirely when symmetry of arrangement was not suggested by symmetry of purpose. As regards those particular species of the respective styles which actually came into contrast, it may be remarked that the form in which Palladian plan went out seems chiefly to have e 2 52 NINETEENTH CENTURY. Part I. been that of tbe solid block of building, generally with wings attached and Basement Offices; and that the form in which Elizabethan plan came in was commonly, perhaps chiefly, the quadrangular system, with the Domestic Offices on the Ground- floor, sometimes separate and sometimes not. (Compare Holk- ham, Plate XIII., with Longleat and Toddington, Plates XIV. and XV.) The adoption of Elizabethan plan was manifested in two ways ; namely, in the design of new Mansions in imitation of the old, and in the rearrangement of old Mansions for modern use. A spirit of severe antiquarian ism, such as we sometimes meet with in the present day, would have demanded for an old house an exact restoration of its authentic arrangements, and for a new house a precise acceptance of the principles of antiquity. But this notion had not yet come into vogue, and therefore the remodelling of ancient examples was quite unfettered, and the imitation of their style in new cases equally free. In now citing illustrations of the manner of the first quarter of the nineteenth century, we must of course entirely ignore the somewhat large class of designs in which a symmetrical plan of more or less Palladian character was merely clothed in an imita- tion of Gothic or Elizabethan detail. Our business being with plan alone, purely external treatment of this kind affords no test. We may accordingly select for examples Longleat (Plate XIV.) and Toddington (Plate XV.), the former being a Mansion of the sixteenth century, remodelled internally, and the latter a new Country-seat, which was much spoken of at the time. As other well-known examples, mention may be made of Wollaton (altered), Cassiobury, Eon thill, Abbotsford, and Eaton Hall. The value of Toddington for our purpose is not lessened by the circumstance that it is one of the best of those amateur designs which in a great measure led the way in the Gothic revival at that early stage ; Abbotsford and others being in the same cate- gory. Longleat, again, is of enhanced value by reason of the admirable combination which it presented of that freedom from Palladian restraint which was thenceforth to be the criterion of merit, and that perfect symmetry which the professional archi- tects of the time would still necessarily seek after, — and which by the bye is fully, or more than fully, regarded in Toddington itself. Longleat, in the matter of its re-arrangement, (by Slit + **mprehended by the ladies as by their lords, and sooner or later will be enforced, if not, perhaps, in exactly the same form, in degree quite as fastidiously. Sec. I., Ch. XII. ELEGANCE. 87 It must strike any one who compares the practice of the English in respect of decorative building with that of the French, that one of the most important distinctions is this : on the other side of the Channel the work is not done so substantially perhaps as might be, but it is carefully kept in order ; whilst on this, it is expected to keep itself in order. Observe the periodical clean- ing of the national buildings in smokeless Paris : and contrast with this the dirt-complacency with which our public edifices smile upon the murky air. There is here indicated, therefore, another principle upon which English self-denial in respect of embellishment may be said to rest. The greater the amount of enrichment, the worse the result of its being left to its own resources ; the more the simplicity, the more likelihood of its preserving a presentable condition. Elegance , therefore, unassuming and unelaborated, touching in no way the essentials of home comfort, never suggesting affectation and pride, moderated by unimpassioned refinement, and subdued even to modesty, will be invariably acceptable in England. Even where extreme wealth and exalted rank render it incumbent upon a family to surround itself with the most cherished products of industry and genius, it will be rarity and value that will be esteemed, — perfection of workmanship and pure or piquant excellence of design, rather than splendour or luxurious richness or imposing grandeur; simplicity still, and subdued power, — the greater the power the stronger the sub- duing hand, — will be cherished even in magnificence, and the glare of pomp despised. CHAPTER XII. — Impoktance. Defined. — A quality to be duly considered. — Often specially authorised in the Thoroughfares. — Comparison of styles of plan. Notwithstanding what has just been said, and without in any way detracting from the absolute government of elegance as opposed to sumptuousness, there are certain considerations of dignity which must be taken to be essential in the plan of a Gentleman’s House. However far removed from ostentation on the one hand, it must be equally free from meanness on the 88 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. Pt. II., Div. I. other. We might call this point Stateliness ; but let us use the less pretentious word Importance. The question of external importance is comparatively simple. To attempt to create a fictitious appearance, of either extent or cost, is a thing particularly distasteful. To make any sacrifice of those qualities is still a blunder. The happy medium is to display all to the best advantage, but honestly, and devoid of trick or affectation. In other words, the style of design, amount of embellishment, and quality of workmanship being deter- mined, it may be taken as a rule in any case that an English gentleman will require his house to be designed with due, but not undue, regard to the quality of Importance. In the interior, the whole of the arrangements must be governed by the same principle ; whether the house be large or small, the outlay restricted or profuse, the effect to be aimed at must be that of solid value for the money spent, — nothing more, but certainly nothing less. There is, however, one distinction to be noted in respect of the management of the interior. However judiciously the importance of the several Rooms individually may have been provided for, it is manifest that their importance as a whole is greatly dependent upon their means of communication — the Thoroughfares connecting them. To confer upon these, in proper degree, the quality in question, is most essential. We may indeed go farther, and say that, whenever display of an architectural kind is allowable at all, it is here that it ought to begin. Even more, — when the Dwelling-apartments are more than usually divested of state, and the simplicity of their home comfort and convenience made almost severe, yet still it will be found that in the main Thoroughfares — the Hall, Corridor, Stair- case, and so on — the proprietor not only permits the develop- ment of artistic dignity, but within reasonable limits expects it. In small houses it is of course impossible to attempt more in the way of importance for the Thoroughfares than comparative spaciousness ; but this will so far very well suffice. On the other hand, there are few faults which make themselves more con- spicuous, as productive of mean appearance, than parsimony of passage-room. The instances are not so few as they ought to be where such unwise frugality gives to a Mansion the appearance of a Cottage; whereas there are, it is to be hoped, equally numerous illustrations of the fact, that a little additional expan- Sec. I., Ch. XIII. IMPORTANCE. 89 sion of the Thoroughfares may confer upon a Cottage all the internal importance comparatively which a Mansion need possess. In treating of the contrast between the two great styles of plan, we referred repeatedly to the superiority of the Classic model in the quality now under review. Indeed, we were obliged to point out the fact that this quality had been too fre- quently carried to excess in Palladian Mansions, both in arrange- ment and in decorative design. It is one advantage pertaining to Mediaeval style in plan, as applied to smaller houses more particularly, that it has no tendency to run into this error. At all events, it may be remarked that when the quality of import- ance has to be carried into that stateliness which is proper for dwellings of the very first rank, Italian plan will be acknow- ledged on all sides to offer peculiar facilities for grand effect ; whilst, on the other hand, if the problem be to design a Mansion of which the actual importance of size and cost, however great, shall be in a manner modestly understated, there is no doubt that Mediaeval arrangements will equally characteristically serve the purpose. To those who can read importance in a 'plan , Bylaugh (Plate XXYI.) and Mentmore (Plate XXXIII.) will be interesting ; at the same time, a comparison of Hatfield (Plate IX.) with Holkham (Plate XIII.) may leave it doubtful whether the former is not the superior of the two. As an instance of the value of accessories in this respect, see Somer- leyton (Plate XXXII.), where the adjuncts of the house are excellently contrived. CHAPTER XIII.— Ornamentation. Neither excess nor paucity desirable. — Examples of deficiency. In our remarks upon Elegance, it was clearly laid down that English taste amongst the superior orders is averse to rich or sumptuous effects. Elaborate adornment, — -such is the national creed, — is almost invariably vulgar, and at the best barbaric. Nevertheless, to let the question rest here, and repudiate orna- mentation altogether, is not the only alternative. Moderation in this, as in all else, is the rule ; but nothing less ; no exube- 90 GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS. Pt. II., Div. I. ranee, but no poverty. For there may be even in simplicity an affectation as demonstrative as any other; and when the fas- tidiousness of excessive refinement takes refuge in a mental blank, it is but an artificial idiocy in taste. A Gentleman’s House, in short, whilst it ought to be free of ostentation, ought to be equally free of any opposite extreme. If we see a family of wealth and rank, and of otherwise accom- plished taste, dwelling within flat brick walls surmounted by red chimney-pots, we say there is an incongruity here. If we see stately entertainments conducted with all the manifestations of wealth, and with the aids of choice and valuable furniture, plate, paintings, perhaps sculpture, in rooms whose walls and ceilings are helplessly devoid of decoration, the contrast is absurd. Every one will affirm, therefore, that a Gentleman’s House ought to be not merely substantial, comfortable, con- venient, and well furnished, but fairly adorned. It ought to exhibit a reasonable amount of intellectual liberality, faithfully keeping on the side of simplicity and moderation, and clinging to the grace of elegance as the beauty which will last the longest ; but avoiding none the less that poverty of dress which is not self-denial, but inhospitality. Sec. II., Ch. I. DINING-ROOM. 91 SECTION II. THE DAY-ROOMS. CHAPTER I. — Dining-room. Defined. — • Aspect. — Light ; Prospect ; use of Bay Windows. — Arrangement and dimensions. — Furniture, &c. — • Fireplace. — Heating Apparatus. — Doors. — Dinner-route and service. — Hatch; Lift-table. — Service-room. — Intercommu- nication as a Waiting-room. — Closets. — Spaciousness, &c. — External position. — Approach internally and Drawing-room route. — Classic and Mediaeval styles. — Illustrations passim. In a house of very good class this apartment is used almost exclusively for serving luncheon and dinner, and perhaps break- fast ; and the characteristics of such a room are so different from those of the corresponding room in more homely form, which is made to serve also as a Sitting-room for the family, whether during the day or in the evening, that it seems most convenient to treat of the latter in special terms, which will be done in a separate chapter, under the name of Parlour Dining-room. The proper Dining-room is a spacious and always compara- tively stately apartment, of which the chief characteristics ought to be freedom from the heat and glare of sunshine at those hours when it is in use, and a certain sort of seclusion as respects its situation, both internally and externally. The best Aspect will obviously be Northward, — say due North or North-East. It is true the North may be gloomy, and the North-East is in some degree exposed to cold bleak winds ; but North-West windows in the summer evenings begin as early ^s five o’clock to admit the rays of the setting sun ; and to dine in such circumstances, or with blinds drawn, may be unpleasant. The North also is the quarter where evening twilight lingers longest; and twilight, over dessert for instance, is better than candles. East is generally unobjectionable. Any aspect from South-East to South admits the sunshine strongly, although diagonally, at the hour of luncheon. A South or South-West 92 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. aspect, it need not be said, may give a Dining-room the cha- racter of an oven. (See Aspect- Compass, p. 81.) The Windows ought, as a rule, to occupy one side (a Dining- room of any size being almost necessarily oblong), rather than one end. A room lighted from the end alone cannot be so cheerful as it might be, especially if looking Northward ; it will also be comparatively close ; and when daylight is waning it will become unpleasantly dark in one part, whilst sufficiently illumi- nated in another. When light, however, can be obtained at one end in addition to the side windows, this, in a large apartment, is very pleasant. The aspect of such End-light ought of course to be Eastward rather than Westward. When the Dining-room is to be used for breakfast , it is spe- cially worth while to have a more Eastward aspect, for the sake of the always delightful morning sun ; or an Eastward end-light will in this case be sufficient — often even preferable. (See Breakfast-room .) When any special purpose of Prospect has to be provided for, it is as undesirable in the case of a Dining-room as in any other, that this should be allowed to affect the aspect of the principal or side windows ; end windows ought to be at once resorted to ; and it is plain that these may be contrived so as to meet almost any possible demand of prospect. Even still, however, we must duly weigh whatever disadvantages may remain ; because, in a really good Dining-room, these may be of great moment ; and against such considerations the value of the prospect ought not to be overestimated. Ingenuity of arrangement may do much ; but suppose, for example, that in order to command an expan- sive view due Westward, the end wall is largely opened up in windows, it must never be forgotten that the amount of heat admitted during the afternoon and at the very hour of dinner may become very embarrassing, and this in spite of any attempt at its exclusion by opaque blinds, by which, of course* the cherished landscape also would be shut out. Bay-windows , of various forms and sizes, are one of the most useful and pliant of all contrivances in respect of the more ordi- nary questions of prospect ; and it may be almost said that in no case ought a sacrifice of aspect to be resolved upon until every effort has been made in this way to avoid the necessity. Instances of the application of the bay-window are given on the margin. Sec. II., Ch. I. DINING-ROOM. 93 Prospect, N. and E. The internal arrangements of a Dining-room have to be based upon the primary idea of accommodating a given maximum number of persons at table, and in a given style. Taking the width of the dining-table, with the proper addition on each side for the company seated, and allowing free passage behind them for the servants, we obtain, accord- ing to the style of dining dictated, the requisite width for the apart- ment; bearing in mind, of course, chairs left unoccupied at the walls, hearth-rug and screen, sideboard and dinner -waggons, so far as any of these may affect the question. The length is then determined simply by the number of persons to sit down, adding a sufficiency of clear space at the ends for service. The sideboard, if at one end, as it ought to be, and the fireplace, if this be at one end, as it very frequently is, must also have abundant space. A small Dining- room ought never to be less than 1 6 feet wide; from 18 to 20 feet is a full width; beyond this is almost matter of state. . In plotting on plan the Furniture D - Door - of a Dining-room, allow from 4 to 6 feet for the width of the table ; 20 inches on each side for the company seated ; from 24 to 30 inches in length as the sitting space of each person ; from 2 J to 5 or 6 feet, clear of furniture, for passage-way behind ; from 6 by 2 feet to 10 by 3 feet for the sideboard ; from 4 to 5 feet by 22 inches for a dinner-waggon or cheffonier ; 20 inches from the wall for the projection of a chair ; and from Prospect, S. and W. USE OF BAY WINDOWS. (DINING-ROOM.) Scale 1 inch to 30 feet. F. Fire. T. Table. S. Sideboard. 15 to 30 inches for that of a chimneypiece and fender, keeping in view also the hearthrug beyond. The proper position for the Sideboard is at one end of the room ; at the back, that is to say, of the master’s chair. Where it is not so placed, communication with the servants is rendered awkward, especially in smaller rooms. It need not be said also 94 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. that there is a certain importance about a good sideboard, which demands one end of the room for itself. Indeed, the general practice of forming a special recess in that position for its recep- tion can scarcely he improved upon. The sideboard ought never to be surmounted or even flanked by windows ; because not only are the operations of the servants thus brought into prominence, but when a gentleman does honour to his guests by^displaying his plate, its effect may be destroyed by the glare of light. A bay-window at one end, facing the sideboard at the other, with the fireplace in the middle of one side, and the chief light opposite, make an excellent arrangement. (See the second of the recent diagrams.) It is true that with English people the Dining-room is often in a great measure used by artificial light; but this does not require any modification of the above arrangements ; if the room be accommodated to daylight, artificial light is easily accommo- dated to the room. The Style of finish, both for the apartment itself and for the furniture, is always somewhat massive and simple ; on the prin- ciple, perhaps, of conformity with the substantial pretensions of both English character and English fare. It need not be sombre and dull, or indeed devoid of cheerfulness in any way ; but so far as forms, colours, and arrangements can produce such a result, the whole appearance of the room ought to be that of masculine importance. One feature which has always a substantial aspect in this apartment is the unbroken line of chairs at the wall. Although it is not desirable to make a Gentleman’s Dining-room like the Assembly-Hall of a Corporation or the Long-room of a tavern by carrying this principle to an extreme, yet it is not well when other articles of furniture are placed at intervals in such number as to give the apartment the character of a Parlour. In fact, as much as possible, every chair ought to stand at the wall facing its place at the table ; both for convenience and for association with the purpose of the room. With regard to dinner-waggons or cheffoniers, their best position, and most useful, is at the two end corners opposite the Sideboard. In very superior rooms it is sometimes the practice to place the # chairs, or a portion of them, when not in use, not against the wall, but around the table. If this be done to leave the wall- space free for the display of objects of virtu, it is so far Sec. II., Ch. I. DINING-ROOM. 95 well ; otherwise care has to be taken that there shall be some other sufficient reason apparent. The position of the Fireplace with relation to the door and windows is in perhaps all other rooms a matter of the utmost importance. In a Dining-room, however, used exclusively as such, the only purpose of the fire is to warm the room through- out, and if possible equably, without purposely constituting what is invaluable in a Sitting-room, a comfortable fireside ; so that, but for our pardonable prejudices in favour of the open grate, the best mode of heating for the special purpose would be by hot-water apparatus. Consequently, the fireplace has simply to be placed where it shall best warm the room and least scorch the company. To put it in a recess sometimes helps the matter ; to bring it forward with a chimney-breast does the reverse. In any room over 30 feet in length two fireplaces are generally provided. Both ought to be on the same wall, opposite the windows, unless there be special circumstances to prevent it. If the fireplace should be in the end wall opposite the sideboard, it is satisfactory ; if flanked by end windows, there is no objec- tion ; if on the same wall as the door — an arrangement generally fatal to a Sitting-room — the Dining-room need not suffer, pro- vided the distance between the door and fireplace be sufficient. With regard to the use of Heating-apparatus, the marginal sketch represents an arrangement adopted in a work of the author’s in special circumstances, in an old room which had two radical defects, an end-light and narrow width. The fireplace was built up, and two recesses formed, one on each side of it, for the dinner- waggons. Under these articles there were placed two small hot-water tables. Where the fireplace had been, a mirror was fixed, extending from floor to ceiling. (The end wall was also opened up into one large window ; and the result was that an apartment which had been before in a manner abandoned, as useless, became a light and cheerful Dining-room, fit for the purposes of a man of rank.) The Door of a small Dining-room, if there be only one, ought to be placed, for the sake of service, close by the sideboard. (In larger rooms, as we shall see, the case is different.) Then, being hinged, according to rule, on the edge nearest to the fire, this will cause it, in opening, to expose, not the table, but the side- Desung-room without Fireplace. Scale 1 inch to 30 feet. 96 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. board ; which is as it ought to be. In the best form of an ordinary room it will thus occupy the sideboard end of the blank side wall. (See all the diagrams, p. 93.) Let it be specially made sufficiently wide for two persons to enter together without discomfort ; in good houses the width ought to be 3 \ feet. It is also worthy of mention again, as specially important, that the door must open sufficiently clear of the sideboard to admit of free entrance ; a principle not always attended to in narrow rooms. It is not unusual, and may sometimes be very convenient, to have one of the windows in the form of a Sash-door, when open- ing on a Terrace or Garden, as in Plate XXVIII. Cases have not been wanting, however, when such a door has provided unhappy facilities for stealing the plate. The Dinner-route is a consideration second to none with respect to the position of the Dining-room. In a small house the room \yill generally have but one door for both entrance and service ; in this case the route to that door from the Kitchen must be as short and convenient as other considerations will permit. Again, as the dishes must be carried to and from the door through the family part of the house, — the Corridor, for example, Staircase, or Vestibule, — it is essential that they shall not cross the track of family traffic, or otherwise be obtruded upon the notice of the inmates or visitors. In both of the houses on Plate XXV. this difficulty is carefully avoided, if not fairly encountered. Compare also Plates XX X II. and XXXIV. in this respect. The general question of the dinner-route is treated of under the head of Kitchen. A special Service-door is the next step in advance, as in Plates XVI. and XXV. It will of course be close to the side- board; it is sometimes put on the other side of this so as to match the principal door. Sometimes, however, and with good reason in larger examples, the latter is placed at the other end of the room, and none but the service^door at the sideboard end. (Many of the plates exemplify well the advantages of this arrangement ; indeed there are only a small minority on the contrary plan.) It is necessary, however, to remember that, if a service-door should communicate with the general Corridor of the Offices, this interferes with the privacy of the room ; besides that it is calculated also to admit the sounds of the Corridor in question. A double door is the remedy ; but the arrangement is still objectionable ; a private Lobby, how r ever small, is much to be preferred. Sec. II., Cii. I. DINING-ROOM. 97 Sometimes a small Hatch (tlie buttery-hatch of old time) is formed at the sideboard, through which the dishes are handed from the Pantry or a Lobby, or a Service-room. (See Plate XXV., the upper example.) This is a plan more specious than efficient in any case. In a large house it does not answer : the servants will often, in an emergency, wish heartily it were a door, and the continual interchange of audible communications through the aperture is a thing that can scarcely be prevented from attracting attention. Another appliance of recent introduction for Town-Houses, and others which have Basement Offices, is a Lift-table , within the limits of the Dining-room, communicating with a Service- room below. A small dinner-waggon, properly in a recess, is so contrived as to pass bodily up and down in a very simple manner, and the only task for ingenuity to accomplish is the satisfactory closing of the aperture in the floor when the Lift is down. The objections to the hatch still hold good here. When the style of living is at all above the average, it is exceedingly convenient to have attached to the Dining-room a Service-room ; and, as the rank of the house advances, the deve- lopment of this useful adjunct becomes more and more important, as the Plates show throughout. (See also Service-room.) Our immediate concern, however, with this question need not go further than the proposition that the door, connecting it with the Dining-room, will be necessarily close to the Sideboard and the master’s chair. Sometimes it has to be specially so placed as to protect the company from the curiosity of servants, parti- cularly such as are not actually waiting. In very large establish- ments an Ante-room may have to be formed adjoining the Dining- room, for servants in attendance. On grounds of privacy it is frequently desirable that this, and indeed a Serving-room no less, should communicate with the Dining-room through an intermediate Lobby, however small. It is the rule primarily to have no door of intercommunication between the Dining-room and any other of the Family Apart- ments. The special habits of a family may, however, sometimes require it. Double doors must of course be provided in such a case for the sake of privacy. The intercommunication will be least objectionable when it connects with the Business-room or Study, Saloon, Library, or Breakfast-room. To communicate with the Drawing-room, except in some very special case, is 98 THE DAY-ROOMS. Ft. II., Div. I. quite out of order, although by no means so uncommon as we might expect. (See Plates XVII., XXVII., XXX., and others.) It is to be remembered that the Dining-room is always subject to be used during the morning as a waiting-room for the gentle- man’s visitors ; this is a standard necessity in small houses, and no less practically the rule in even the largest ; its position therefore ought to be sufficiently near the Gentleman’s-room or Study. Closets are generally considered out of character in a good Dining-room ; but there are persons of homely habits who some- times prefer to have a special Store-closet at hand. (Plate XX.) Dwarf cupboards, it need not be said, are inadmissible, even in small houses ; they are only fit for the “ Back-Parlour ” of a shopkeeper. It is self-evident that a good Dining-room should be lofty ; that the windows should be of full size ; and that ventilation should be cared for, not merely to promote the egress of dinner vapours, but to prevent their further passage into the house. The external position of the Dining-room ought not to be such as to connect it with what may be called the ladies’ quarter or the Lawn ; neither ought the windows to be so directly over- looked from the quarter of entrance as is frequently the case. The approach from the Entrance-door to the Dining-room need not be so direct as that to the Drawing-room. But the Drawing- room route to and from the Dining-room ought to be invariably planned with an eye to facility, directness, and special import- ance ; inasmuch as where there may be no other ceremonious- ness whatever in the habits of a family, there will be at least a little of that quality, if only occasionally, in the act of proceed- ing to and from dinner. For such a route, therefore, there ought to be spaciousness ; also some extent of length ; and, lastly, directness, or freedom from turnings. A very excellent effect is had when the two doors in question, in a superior house, face each other at the ends of a Hall or Gallery. (Plate XXXV.) However small the house may be, to pass through a door of intercommunication, or to slip out of one door and in at the other three or four feet off, is always undignified. (Plate XXV.) Oases are too frequently to be met with, even in superior Sec. II., Cm II. PARLOUR-DINING-ROOM. 99 houses, where the Dining-room door is accidentally situated so close to the Entrance-Hall that strangers coming from the Drawing-room to dinner are impressed with the idea of going out of the house : this ought to be provided against. It is an equally great mistake to place the Dining-room at such a dis- tance inwards from the central point of thoroughfare as to create a long special passage thereto ; the position of the door ought to be such that the room shall be seen to be one of the group of Family Apartments as much as any other. The question may fairly be asked whether any difference of general plan is recognised between a Dining-room of the modern Classic style, and one of the modern Mediaeval. The answer may safely be given, that any pretended peculiarity whatever of this kind may be taken for affectation in either style, except perhaps in the case of a State-room, which will be spoken of in its place. Any English gentleman of the present day who would consent to sacrifice the characteristics of a comfortable Dining-room for the sake of imitating the manners, whether of ancient or modern Italy on the one hand or Gothic or Tudor England on the other, would be charged on all sides, amongst his acquaintance, with something very much akin to eccentricity. (See further the next chapter on the Parlour-Dining-room ; also that on the State Dining-room.) CHAPTER II. - Parlour-Dining-room. Defined. — Use of the term Parlour. — Compromised aspect. — Fireside, &c. — * Furniture. — Modification of general features. In smaller houses, and indeed in many of considerable size, the Dining-room is used as a family sitting-room ; sometimes for both day and evening ; sometimes for the day alone, with the Drawing-room for the evening ; and sometimes for the evening alone, — at least in winter, when Paterfamilias, having done his day’s work and dined, refuses to move any more from a favourite easy chair. Then again, in some cases dinner is taken early in the day, without ceremony ; in some the Drawing-room is “ pre- served : ” both facts we must accept, and indeed others of similar bearing. In short, the character of the household, the stvle of II 2 100 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. T. living, and local peculiarities, form the grounds of a good deal of variety in the occupation of the so-called Dining-room, apart from mere eating purposes ; and thus, in one way or another, the homely character of the Family Parlour * of an inferior house is introduced ; bringing with it a certain kind of comfort which a formal Drawing-room, for instance, does not seem to possess. Or, to put the matter otherwise, where there is no Morning-room (which is a Parlour or more homely Drawing- room), the Dining-room is often used as such, and in the evening may either be superseded by the more formal Drawing-room, or may not. It is plain that such a Parlour-Dining-room (if the reader will accept the term) cannot be disposed strictly according to the rules set forth in the last chapter, if it is to be a pleasant sitting- room. Its requirements partake more or less of those of the Drawing-room ; and in some cases it will be preferred that certain Drawing-room features should take precedence of all others. With regard to Aspect , it has already been shown that a Dining-room, whether for early or late meals, ought to look in some degree Northward ; on the other hand, a sitting-room should obviously look in some Southward direction; the Westward quarters — those of level sunset and rain — are more or less un- suitable for either case ; and a tendency Eastward, as a general rule, is acceptable for both. But although this indicates an Eastward direction for compromise in such a case as the present, yet there is obviously a wide difference between the extremes of Northward and Southward which have to be brought to meet if the room is in any degree appropriately to combine the attri- butes of both aspects. Indeed it may at once be owned that in so wide a difference no compromise whatever is possible (sup- posing the room to be lighted from only one side) upon the basis of mutual accommodation. If East be thought of, we have the cold, unhealthy winds, and the entire afternoon’s shade, which, as regards Parlour uses, imply no compromise, but an absolute surrender of essentials. And when we decide upon * The vulgarity, if any, attachable to the use of this good old English word, is to be regretted. Surely the term Sitting-room is worse instead of better. The fact is that all Withdrawing-rooms , of whatever kind, may very conveniently and expressively be called Parlours as a class. The author, therefore, has in the present edition freely introduced this term. Sec. II., Ch. II. PARLOUR-DINING-ROOM. 101 South-East, in order to secure cheerfulness for the day, it is obvi- ously an acceptance of the Parlour conditions, and a surrender of those of the formal Dining-room. When the room is not occupied during the day, but in the evening alone, there is little need to interfere with the Dining- room rule for a Northward aspect. In winter the windows will be closed, and in summer the catching lights of the setting sun will shoot very pleasantly across the prospect. But it is injudi- cious to turn so far Westward as to admit the setting sunshine, or so far Eastward as entirely to lose its influence. End windows may often be made of considerable service in the species of room before us as respects the question of aspect. For example, with side-light looking North-East, and a good end-window South-East, the re- quirements of the Dining-room may be admirably met, and those of the Parlour none the less. (See marginal sketch.) Bay-windows also are invaluable in such a case. A cool Northward room may have a spacious adjunct of this kind at the Eastward end, which, if kept in sunshine, shall be a little Summer Parlour in itself. (See, for instance, one of the sketches on p. 93, representing an octagonal adjunct at the South-East angle.) Although the sideboard and dining-table are still the leading- articles of furniture, it must never be overlooked that the Dining-room, in this new form, has to be considerably modified, not in respect of aspect alone, but also in arrangement; and here the Fireplace is the feature chiefly in question. It has been already explained that equable and general warmth is what we require in the proper Dining-room, and not what is called a Fireside. But for any Sitting-room, keeping in view the English climate and habits, a fireside is of all considerations practically the most important. No such apartment can pass muster with domestic critics unless the good old English circle round the fire be quite free from the possibility of disturbance. Even in the largest Dining-rooms, and the most formal, where people do not “ draw round the fire,” the principle of plan is the same. Accordingly, it is the disposition of the fireplace with relation to doors, windows, sideboard, closets (if any), and furni- 102 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. ture generally, which now becomes a problem. In spacious rooms, as will at once appear, there is usually little difficulty. In small rooms there is often a great deal. It may be advised, therefore, as a particularly good rule in every case of a Parlour- Dining-room in a small house, that we should err a little on the side of spaciousness ; and even if this cannot be done except at the expense of the Drawing-room, the advantage in every-day family comfort will be ample compensation. No modification of the standard Dining-room arrangements is required as regards the position of the Sideboard, or of the Doors with relation thereto ; except that it may generally be advisable, if there be a service-door, to place this and the entrance- door both at one end rather than otherwise. It may, however, be found more or less desirable, according to the precise use which is made of the room, to interfere with the disposition of the furniture generally, so as to introduce couch, cabinets, card- tables, pianoforte, and so on, perhaps bookcases ; the Dining- room line of chairs being very likely sacrificed altogether. The convenience of a Sash-door opening on the Lawn or Garden, as suggested for the Dining-room, is now greater. The rule respecting the Dinner-route from the Kitchen must on no account be considered less obligatory. The contrivances for service may be in any of the forms already described; although, as it is in the less stately establishments as a rule that the Dining-room takes this character, the less elaborate arrange- ments are therefore sufficient. Closets are little if any more allowable here than in the Dining-room proper ; but if insisted upon, let there be provided, not cupboards either dwarf or tall set up in recesses, but a good old-fashioned closet beyond the wall. Intercommunication with perhaps the Drawing-room, Library, or Study, may be convenient in a small house ; but too many doors, it will be obvious, must seriously interfere with the fire- side circle, eYen if they do not preoccupy the snug corners, create thoroughfare traffic and thorough draughts, and disturb privacy and comfort generally. With regard to the external position of a Parlour -Dining-room occupied during the day, the retirement desirable for the more formal apartment, and the seclusion from the Drawing-room Facade, became not only unnecessary, but inappropriate ; and the windows may even be all French casements opening on the Sec. II., Ch. III. MORNING-ROOM. 103 Lawn. The approach to such a room internally requires to be more ready than before, as there will be direct traffic with the Entrance-door on Drawing-room principles. The Style of finish and decoration, if not indeed that of the furniture, ought to be modified from that of a more regular Dining-room ; so that feminine attributes may be, according to circumstances, duly represented. In a word, the arrangements are to be such as shall preserve as far as possible the characteristics of the proper Dining-room, and at the same time admit those of an informal Drawing-room or Parlour; — the circumstance whether it is to be occupied daring the day or only during the evening, being directive as to the form these latter characteristics shall take. CHAPTER III. — Morning-room. Described in variety. — • Aspect, &c. — Arrangement and furniture. — Position and accessories. — Intercommunication. — Internal position. — Illustrations. This apartment is introduced in superior houses primarily to relieve the Drawing-room : indeed, it may be called the Drawing-room in ordinary of the house and no more, with in- formal comfort as its particular characteristic ; this is especially the motive in houses where the Drawing-room, so called, is “ preserved.” In more homely establishments it is often the breakfast-room : luncheon or children’s dinner may be served in it, or perhaps a quiet evening dinner itself; and sometimes the family, when small in number, may continue there afterwards. It takes, therefore, in such cases still more of the character of the old- fashioned Parlour, like the Parlour-Dining-room of the preceding chapter ; being based, however, more upon Drawing-room con- ditions than before. In respect of Aspect, although it is a rule to avoid the level sunshine of the evening, yet that of the morning is always welcome, and especially in the winter, dissipating as it does so pleasantly the ungenial atmosphere of night; and therefore, considering the Morning-room, in the mean time, as a break- fasting-room, or even an early Sitting-room, perhaps East would be the best aspect so far ; because, in that position, the room, 104 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. after haying received the solar warmth from the first, has by breakfast-time lost the glare, the sun having passed round about 45 degrees from the front. But as the Morning-room has to be occupied during the whole day, it becomes desirable to turn it on this account more Southward ; and thus a South-East aspect, which keeps the sunshine till an hour and a half after noon, although it has the disadvantage of having it directly in front at breakfast-time, is perhaps after all the best. A South aspect, which takes the sunshine at 45 degrees at breakfast, and keeps it till 4 p.m., is an extreme in that direction ; indeed it becomes more sultry towards the latter part of the day than most persons would consider tolerable. A window-shade, however will assist the case. The remarks which have been made with respect to the appli- cation of end-windows in other rooms will still apply here. With the help of a bay-window , again, any difficulty of aspect may be even still more readily overcome, on the same principles before explained. (See the two preceding chapters.) A pleasing Pros- pect, by the bye, is especially desirable for a Morning-room. The principles of arrangement which govern here are those of the Parlour. (See Parlour -Dining-room.) Sideboard and dining- table, however, ought to disappear ; even for meals a cheffonier and centre table are sufficient. Supposing the fireplace to occupy, as it ought, the middle of one side, the door will be best placed at one corner opposite, in either the side or the end wall ; the win- dows may be either opposite the fireplace or at the end removed from the door, or both. In the generality of cases a Morning-room is only required to be of that moderate size which will be best about square in proportion ; say from 15 to 25 feet square. The Furniture will consist of a centre table, a cheffonier or cabinet or two, a couch, chairs, easy-chairs, a side-table, the lady’s work-table, a piano- forte, what-nots, and so on, according to style and use, with perhaps a lady’s book- case. The marginal sketch gives a general idea of what is perhaps the best model of scale i inch to 30 feet. arrangement. The Windows may extend down to the floor, whether as sashes or casements; and one or more may open on the Lawn or Flower-Garden — the latter being perhaps preferable. Sec. II., Ch. III. MORNING-ROOM. 105 The Service-route from the Kitchen, if the Morning-room is to be used for luncheon, or more particularly for dinner in any form, ought to be almost as rigidly regulated as that to a Dining-room ; for no considerable traffic of dishes ought on any account to invade the main Thoroughfares. As regards a special Service-closet , or even a Service-door , it may be always considered that such would be quite unsuitable for the apartment. Dwarf cupboards are sometimes introduced in inferior cases ; but they are a clumsy contrivance ; cheffoniers ought to do all their duty. A roomy Closet , however, will not be out of place. There may even be, in small houses, and under a very homely administration, a door opening into the Lady s Store-room ; with a small intermediate lobby, of course, if not impossible ; and care being always taken, we need scarcely say, that the Store- room has also an entrance from without, and ventilation of its own. A door of intercommunication may connect the Morning-room with the Drawing-room in any case ; perhaps with the Dining- room, if in a small establishment ; or with the Library, or even the Boudoir, according to circumstances ; but, as a rule, such arrangements, unless very judiciously considered, are liable to prove more inimical to privacy and comfort in one way than favourable to them in another. One advantage, however, of a door of intercommunication between Morning-room and Drawing- room is that it provides for the ladies what is called escape in a manner the most legitimate of. all, inasmuch as these two apart- ments become, without any violence to their characteristics, the best possible ante-rooms to each other. Irrespective of what has just been said, the internal position of the Morning-room ought to be more in connexion with the Drawing-room than any other apartment ; and, like the Drawing- room, it ought to be readily accessible from the Entrance for the reception of the more intimate class of visitors during the day. Instances of the Morning-room will be found amongst the illustrations in several forms, as in Plates XV., XXVII. (where it is properly a Boudoir), XXXI. (peculiar), XXXIII., XXXIV., XXXV., XLI. ; in Plates XVI., XXV., and XXIX. it is absent, as beyond the scale of accommodation. 106 THE DAY-ROOMS. Rt. II., Div. I. CHAPTEB IV. — Breakfast or Luncheon-room. Defined and exemplified. — Aspect and arrangement. — Hlustrations. The so-called Breakfast-room of smaller houses may be said to be an inferior variety of the Morning-room, and to be subject gene- rally to the same regulations, except that the more exceptional uses suggested for the Morning-room are more appropriate here, namely, the service of not only breakfast, but early dinner or luncheon, or at times the quiet evening dinner when the family is small. It differs therefore from the proper Morning-room in this, that it possesses the character of the Parlour-Dining-room alone, and not that of the Drawing-room at all. In larger establishments we find this apartment introduced in addition to a Morning-room ; and then each of these apartments takes its own proper purpose. The Morning-room relieves the Drawing-room only, and the Breakfast- (or Luncheon -) room the Dining-room only. Accordingly, the Morning-room being pro- bably attached directly to the Drawing-room, the Breakfast- room is similarly attached to the Dining-room, so as to be placed in intimate connexion with the Service-room. It then may formally take the character of the Dining-room in ordinary for a small family. Aspect will be governed here by the same principles as those which apply to the Morning-room, Dining-room, or Parlour- Dining-room according to the case ; and the internal arrange- ments will correspond, except that a small sideboard ought properly to have a place. In dimensions and proportion the room will be like the Morning-room, or rather less, say from 15 to 20 feet square. Illustrations of the Breakfast-room will be found in Plates XX., XXVI., XXVIII., XXXII. ; and in Plate XXXIII. there is the same feature under the name of “ Small Dining-room.” Sec. IT., Cu. V. DRAWING-ROOM. 107 CHAPTER Y. — Drawing-room. Defined. — Character always the same. — Aspect. — 'End windows, &c., for pro- spect. — Side or end bow. — Windows and light generally. — Conflicting aspect and prospect. — Internal arrangement. — Theoretical scheme of the Parlour. — Furniture. — Special arrangements with upholsterer. — Intercommunication. — External position : Lawn, Terrace, &c. — Internal position. — First-floor Drawing-room. — Dimensions, &c. — Secondary Drawing-room. — Ante-Draw- ing-room. — Conjunction with other apartments for a suite. — Such combination with Dining-room. — Music-room. — Illustrations passim. This is the Lady’s Apartment essentially, being the modem form of the Lady's Withdrawing -room, otherwise the Parlour , or perfected Chamber of Mediaeval plan. If a Morning-room be not provided, it is properly the only Sitting-room of the family. In it also in any case the ladies receive calls throughout the day, and the family and their guests assemble before dinner. After dinner the ladies withdraw to it, and are joined by the gentlemen for the evening. It is also the Reception-room for evening parties. There is only one kind of Drawing-room as regards purpose : there is little difference, except in size and evidence of opulence, between that of the duchess and that of the simplest gentlewoman in the neighbourhood. Consequently, although in most respects the chief room of the house, it is, perhaps, the most easily reduced to system of any. The character to be always aimed at in a Drawing-room is especial cheerfulness, refinement of elegance, and what is called lightness as opposed to massiveness. Decoration and furniture ought therefore to be comparatively delicate ; in short, the rule in everything is this — if the expression may be used — to be entirely ladylike. The comparison of Dining-room and Drawing- room, therefore, is in almost every way one of contrast. The proper Aspect for a Drawing-room must, of course, be such as to meet sunshine and mild weather, so that the ladies may enjoy the most free and direct communication with the open air. Southward will consequently be the general tendency ; and the precise point of the compass which is most eligible will be determined by an avoidance on the one hand of the bitter and unhealthy East winds, and on the other of the quarter of wet winds and sultry sunshine. (See the Aspect- Compass, p. 81 .) The point generally preferred is as nearly as possible South-East, 108 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pr. II., Div. I. taking the sun from early morning till about two hours after noon, and haying it directly in front not later than 9 or 10 a.m. This gives to the apartment all the advantage of being rendered cheerful and pleasant by the morning sun in good time before occupation for the day, and also the equal benefits of shade towards the hottest part of the afternoon and relief from the level rays of the evening. Further South is further exposed to the sultry time of day, and to the wet quarter. South-West becomes very unfavourable in both these respects. Due West takes in extreme both the evening glare and the rain. The Northward and Eastward aspects are, of course, unsuitable, for want of sunshine. In a Drawing-room, more perhaps than in any other apart- ment, window-shades, or possibly a verandah, may be calculated upon to shield the room from the sunlight ; but if the aspect be West, it is obvious that even these will not suffice to protect the room from the evening glare. The desirableness of end windows in the case of the Drawing- room is perhaps still more remarkable than in other instances, especially when an extensive and varied prospect — of so much importance for this apartment — is to be had. There is little, if any, objection to these being South-West, or even West : or otherwise they may be East or North-East without disadvantage. A Northward view, for instance, has the merit of presenting the daylight landscape lighted from behind the spectator, a matter of obvious value in the case of the Ladies’ day-room. The em- ployment of the bay-window, again, in Drawing-rooms is of especial service ; indeed it is so general as to need little expla- nation, certainly no advocacy. If the window- side of a Drawing-room be formed in a curve or bow, of the entire length, or nearly so, the effect of space and importance be- comes much enhanced. If, in- stead of the side, it is one end that is so treated, the result, although less dignified than before, is still very satisfactory. The marginal sketch (part of Plate XXXVIII.) represents a Scale 1 inch to 30 feet. Sec. II., Ch. V. DRAWING-ROOM. 109 Drawing-room of large size, in which the author adopted this principle. There are other elegancies of form which will occur to the architect according to the case. Indeed, it may be said that it is in this particular apartment, if in no other, that the designer may venture to take a little licence in respect of artistic plan ; provided at least he keeps fully in mind that not only the English gentleman, but the lady also, will be found to demur to architectural pretentiousness, — preferring, even in the best class of rooms, the graces of furniture and decoration to all that the architect values as “ interior effect.” The Windows of a Drawing-room are generally formed as casements, one or more of them opening on the Lawn, Elower- Garden, or Terrace. They ought to extend in height as near to the ceiling as the cornice and upholstery will admit of ; and if they all reach down to the floor the cheerful character of the room will be much helped. In the case of a Drawing-room bay-window, by the bye, it is not generally advisable to make any of its casements assume particularly the character of a door, because this constitutes it practically a porch or thoroughfare, and destroys its utility as an Alcove. There is often a temptation to give a Drawing-room a super- fluity of window-space, for the sake of prospect (see Plate XVII.) ; but the provision of adequate wall-space for furniture is still more important ; and the character of a Gallery or Prospect- house must be avoidedc In ordinary rooms it is very doubtful whether light on more than one side and one end is ever desirable. Prospect is generally held to be the most important of all considerations in the disposition of a Drawing-room ; and certainly it must always be matter for regret if this room cannot be made to look out upon the very best view that the house commands. But let it never be forgotten that here especially aspect also is of the greatest moment; and if, when all the resources of end-windows and bay-windows are exhausted, the desired prospect is not obtained, the effort, in all but very ex- ceptional cases, ought scarcely to go further. The prospect may probably be turned to account in some other way ; but the discomfort of a Drawing-room which presents itself unfavourably to the weather or the sun will never cease to make itself felt. In their general scheme the internal arrangements of a Draw- ing-room have several times been alluded to as those of the 110 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Di v. I. Sitting-room or Parlour . This scheme starts with the principles (speaking of a very common room), first, that the door should be far from both the fire and the window, on account of the draught ; secondly, that the window should be near the fire for the sake of light at the fireside and warmth at the window ; thirdly, that the door should not come between the fire and the window ; fourthly, that the window should light both sides of the fire ; and fifthly, that the fire should have a central position in the room. Accordingly the fireplace, in ordinary cases, is best situated in the middle of one side (F in the marginal sketch), and opposite the windows (W). But in a room of medium dimensions and ordinary proportions, say 24 feet by 18, we fall immediately into a somewhat complicated series of petty difficulties. It will generally be found in practice that this involves our placing the door (as at a) in the same side-wall as the fireplace (see for instance both the Drawing-rooms in Plate 'XVI.). A preferable position is the middle of one of the end walls ( b ), if it can be had ; or even the extremity of one end adjoining the window wall ( c ) ; but both of these have their disadvantages. The ex- tremity of an end wall next the fire wall (d) is a worse position than any other, because it admits a current of air to take the fireside directly in flank. If we try, in the next place, to give either the fireplace or the window to an end wall, so that these difficulties shall disappear, fresh disadvantages arise : in the one case the fireside is con- tracted, and in the other the lighting is defective. But, at all events, it is obvious that the more nearly the form of the room approaches a square, the more these complications decrease ; which so far renders a small and therefore square Drawing-room an easy problem of design. (See the sketch on p. 104.*) On the other hand, the more the dimensions exceed the average, the more the difficulties are diminished again, by reason of the lessened influence of draughts and the multiplication of windows. i HI Fs, HI 11 HI sssss sressss i d. t>: Drawing-room : Position for the Door. Scale 1 inch to 30 feet. w * Observe also that theoretically a large F D square room, with fire and door opposite cen- w trally, and in the other walls a window opposite a window centrally, is almost perfect, as on the margin. Practically, however, this illus- tration assists us very little. Sec. II., Ch. V. DRAWING-ROOM. Ill So that it is only in the average room that we experience the inconvenience in question. In some cases a favourable form of plan may be obtained by placing on the side wall opposite the fireplace a large bay-window (see the last sketch), with the door in the end wall, at the corner near this window (at c). When the room is of large dimensions, probably the most convenient position for the door in any case is the centre of one end (5).; if opening from an Ante-room or Saloon all the better. For a room beyond 30 feet in length let there be two fireplaces ; if possible both in one side wall, if not, one at each end. (Almost every Plate in the work is illustrative of this paragraph.) The Furniture of a Drawing-room is not such as to require any special arrangements of the architect’s plan ; provided the desire to render the room graceful and light has not induced him to give window-space in such excess as to occasion an embarrassing deficiency of wall-space. In a small room there will be probably a centre table, perhaps with chandelier over, the usual chairs and couch, occasional table, sofa-table, or writing-table, occasional chairs, a cheffonier generally, or one or more fancy cabinets, perhaps one or more pier-tables, a what- not or the like, one or more mirrors, and a cabinet pianoforte. If there be sufficient space there may be an ottoman settee ; perhaps a pair of wall settees also. In a large room the prin- ciple of furnishing is still the same; everything becomes doubled in number or more ; varieties of chairs, lounges, tables, cabinets, and so on, are multiplied ; the pianoforte becomes a grand ; sculptures are perhaps introduced ; instead of a single chandelier there are two (although one is still preferable gene- rally), and accessory lights are added at the walls ; but never- theless the comparatively simple idea of a Parlour or Sitting-room is always preserved. The architect ought never to allow himself, except in extra- ordinary cases, and with a very clear understanding in the matter, to make unusual provisions for furniture. Even in the case of mirrors, for example, although there are instances when an architectural effect may be aimed at, the architect must not venture to reckon without in the first place his client, and in the second his client’s upholsterer. At the same time it must be admitted that if architect and upholsterer can be made to work together intelligently and artistically, very charming effects can be realised ; the architect’s decorations bearing to the 112 TIIE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. hangings, mirrors, and the like, the relations of a framework whose own integrity is left untouched, and the work of the tradesman serving to fill up all gaps of design, and give richness to the architectural arrangements. A door of intercommunication is admissible in a Drawing-room when opening to the Boudoir, if any, Library, or Morning-room. F or a small room such a door is never to be too readily accepted ; but that the ladies find it to be occasionally of service, especially in large establishments, cannot be disputed. Its general purpose, however, being less for mere intercommunication than for private exit or escape , the connection in this way of the Drawing-room with the Morning-room or its equivalent is perhaps all that is necessary in the house. To correct the disturbance of privacy which a door of intercommunication appears to involve, a small intervening lobby and two doors, or even a set of double doors, may often be judiciously employed. By this means at least the chance of one’s conversation being overheard is done away with. The interposition of a Lobby or small Ante-room between Drawing-room and Morning-room, the two rooms having each its own proper door besides, is a very convenient arrangement. There are frequent instances in good houses where a door in one corner connects the Drawing-room with the Dining-room ; but this is at the best a clumsy contrivance, and the difficulty of keeping within their own limits the sounds and odours of the Dining-room must amount to impossibility. (See various Plates.) In respect of external position the Drawing-room must face upon open Lawn or Flower-garden, or, what is perhaps best, a combination of both. In superior houses a Terrace is frequently formed along the Drawing-room front, an admirable feature in landscape-gardening, as well as in architectural design ; but in massive Classic compositions if sometimes interposes a barrier to that communication between the Drawing-room and the Lawn, which is so much valued as matter of domestic enjoyment ; and this must always be taken into account. If the Terrace be strictly private, that is to say, private by reason of its conditions of plan, and only slightly elevated, (not necessarily balustraded,) and if the readiest possible connection be kept up with the Lawn, it will constitute, as an adjunct of the Drawing-room, a Lady’s Walk, which will be very much approved. (See Terrace in Part III. See also Plates XXI., XXII., XXXII., and XXXV.) Sec. II., Ch. V. DKAWIXG-ROOM. 113 The internal position of the Drawing-room ought to be such as to afford an easy, but nevertheless sufficiently stately, route of access from the Entrance door. Passage to and from the Dining-room must also be similarly contrived; this has been already explained in some detail when treating of the Dining- room, and will be further spoken of under the head of Thorough- fares in the sequel. It is plain that we have been considering the Drawing-room all this time as a Ground-floor apartment; and so it ought always, if possible, to be. In town, however, the First-floor Drawing-room must be accepted, simply for want of area. All that can then be done is to carry out the spirit of the foregoing rules as circumstances best permit. In size, a small Drawing-room will be about 16 feet wide by from 18 to 20 feet long : 18 by 24 feet is a good size : 20 by 30 to 26 by 40 is enough for a very superior apartment. The height ought to be made specially adequate for the ventilation of the room when occupied by a crowded assembly, and at night- We must not overlook the necessity which frequently exists for a secondary Drawing-room. In the best ordinary cases the Morning-room is all that will be required, especially if connected with the principal Drawing-room. An Ante-Drawing-room , however, in a large house is sometimes a useful apartment, being a smaller room, for ordinary use, attached to a Drawing-room whose dimensions and stateliness render it practically unservice- able except for company. Such a room may be placed between the Drawing-room and Morning-room with advantage, or it may connect the Drawing-room with the Library in some cases. (See Saloon.) Instances are not unfrequently to be met with where arrange- ments are made for occasionally forming a Suite by throwing- some other apartment into combination with the Drawing-room by wide folding or sliding doors, for the reception of large parties, on the basis of the continental system, in which what we call the privacy of rooms is not a governing principle. (See Plates XVII., XXVII., XLIII., XLIV., and the Notes on Plate XLIV. in the Appendix.) Sometimes, in very superior cases, it is a Picture Gallery which is so combined with the Drawing-room ; or perhaps a Music-room ; or it may be the Library ; it is very commonly indeed the Morning-room ; or it may be a Saloon on the Palladian model. The interposition of i 114 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., I)iv. I. never to be discouraged. an Ante-room however, if not exactly always to be advocated, is In tlie case of a Saloon, this is itself an Ante-room. (See Plates XIX., XXI., XXVI., XXX., and XXXVII. In suburban Villas and other small houses where the accommodation is radically insufficient for the numbers occasionally received, it may be re- quired that the Dining-room shall be connected with the Drawing-room in this way ; a grievous informality, but one which nevertheless will yield to contrivance. An Ante-room ought always to be interposed. (See Plate XXVII., in this respect decidedly in error.) The marginal sketch, a por- tion of the plan given in Plate XLI., shows how the author on one occasion endeavoured to meet the case fairly. A closing observation under the head of the Drawing-room may refer to the fact that it is generally the Music-room of the house, and that it is well therefore to construct it accordingly ; but this question we leave to be treated of under the head of Music-room in the sequel. See also State Drawing-room.) Drawing-room connected with Dining-room. Scale 1 inch to 30 feet. CHAPTER VI.— Boudoir. Defined. — The term sometimes wrongly applied. — Regulations follow those of Drawing-room. — When in a Private Family Suite. — Intercommunication, &c. — When on Bed-room story. — Conservatory or Balcony attached. — Illustra- tions passim. The proper character of a Boudoir is that of a Private Parlour for the mistress of the house. It is the Lady's Bower of the olden time. In this light it does not serve in any way to relieve the Drawing-room ; nor is it even supplementary or accessory to that apartment ; but as the personal retreat of the lady, it leaves the Drawing-room — and the Morning-room if any — still occupied by the family and guests. In some cases, however, what is called the Boudoir is simply Sec. II., Ch. VI. BOUDOIR. 115 a secondary and smaller Drawing-room. It is then generally turned to account in the way of ordinary use, especially in a small family, so as to preserve the Drawing-room for occasions of importance. When the Drawing-room itself is very large, this arrangement has its advantages ; but it is manifest that such a Boudoir is really a Morning-room. The Boudoir in any case follows, in respect of situation , aspect , plan , furniture , &c., the ordinary regulations for a small Drawing-room ; that is to say, it is to be a Sitting-room, and to open if possible from the principal Corridor of the house. It may, however, be somewhat retired in situation ; although such retirement ought not to prejudice free access, it being in many respects the lady’s business-room. When there exists a private suite of rooms for the accommo- dation of the heads of the family, apart from both their guests and their children (see Private Family Suits'), there need be no other Boudoir besides the Lady’s Sitting-room therein involved. In this case directness of access may be a difficulty ; but it is none the less an advantage to have it. (Plate XXI., XXII., and XXXIY.) A door of intercommunication is frequently made between the Boudoir and Drawing-room ; but as it is in all cases well to consider with particular care the effect of such a door upon privacy, in the present case it is especially so ; inasmuch as, if the Boudoir be one properly so called, so ready an access from the Drawing-room may be very inconvenient as regards the privacy of the lady. When Boudoir and Drawing-room are con- nected by folding-doors, so as to be capable of being thrown into one, this must be considered as an arrangement at variance with the requirements of the Boudoir, and only adopted as a means of enlarging the Drawing-room at its neighbour’s expense. In Plate XXXIII. the Boudoir is very peculiarly placed., and at a total sacrifice of its proper purpose. If circumstances cause the Boudoir to be placed on the Bedroom story, this is no objection, provided the access be well contrived. It may then be attached to the Mistress’s Bedroom as in the case of the Private Suite. (Plates XXXYI. and XLI. ) A Conservatory opening from the Boudoir is obviously a charming addition ; so also is a Balcony when upstairs. (Plate XLI.) 116 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. r. CHAPTEK YIL— Library. Its ordinary character defined. — Position. — Aspect. — Light. — Arrangement ; intercommunication, &c. — Dryness, ventilation ; bookcases. — As a Study. — On a large scale. — Museum. — Spare room attached ; Librarian’s room. — Interior style. The degree of importance to be assigned to the Library in any particular house would appear, at first sight, to depend altogether upon the literary tastes of the family, and to be, indeed, so far, a criterion of those tastes. But there is a certain standard room, irrespective of such considerations, which constitutes the Library of an average Gentleman’s House ; and the various gradations by which this may be either diminished in importance or aug- mented are easily understood. It is not a Library in the sole sense of a depository for books. There is of course the family collection ; and the bookcases in which this is accommodated form the chief furniture of the apartment. But it would be an error, except in very special circumstances, to design the Library for mere study. It is primarily a sort of Morning-room for gen- tlemen rather than anything else. Their correspondence is done here, their reading, and, in some measure, their lounging; — and the Billiard-room, for instance, is not unfrequently attached to it. At the same time the ladies are not exactly excluded. The position of the room internally ought therefore to be in immediate connexion with the principal Dwelling-rooms, so as to be equally accessible ; whilst, on the other hand, as regards external influences, it ought to be kept sufficiently quiet (although this is very seldom a practical problem), to prevent the inter- ruption of reading or writing. In accordance with these general ideas, and bearing out, moreover, the somewhat sober effect which bookcases always produce, the style of design and decora- tion ought to be, although not devoid of cheerfulness, certainly subdued in character. It is not often easy to obtain a choice aspect for the Library : but whenever this primary pleasantness can be had for it, so much the better, and it certainly ought never to be entirely neglected in this respect. The reasons for preferring the South- East in the case of day-rooms generally have already been argued ; for a Library, perhaps, a rather more Eastward aspect Sec. II., Ch. VII. LIBRARY. 117 is better, so that the sun may be off the windows at least before noon ; even due East might be preferred by some persons, the sunshine being thus lost about half-past ten. In any case, how- ever, the morning sun is to be preferred to that of midday or afternoon. If the room be large enough, end windows may be used to advantage here as elsewhere. A lay-window also is well known as a Library feature, even when not adopted for prospect, but as a trap to catch a sunbeam. A difficult question which often arises is how sufficiently to provide for persons engaged in writing a front light from the left . It is not that a snug seat by the fireside, with a table conveniently at hand, and a left front light, can by any possibility be pro- vided for many persons at once ; but it is very unfortunate when no position whatever will combine these advantages. (See Study) In a Library, especially, this problem must be well worked out, and not for one writer only, but for several. Ingenuity and per- severance will accomplish wonders ; and therefore, with the help of end light, a good Library may be expected in this respect to be brought very near perfection. The Fireplace ought to be placed so as to make a good winter fireside, because this is in great measure a Sitting-room. The door ought to stand in relation to the fire according to the prin- ciples already explained for such a room (see Drawing-room). A sash door to the open air is not desirable, except in some special case. Intercommunication is frequently made with the Drawing- room, and sometimes intimately (see Plates XYI. and XXX.) ; and this carries with it no doubt a certain sort of convenience, because the two rooms can be thrown together occasionally ; but it is a question whether, in a good house, and looking at such a question broadly, it is not on the whole a serious loss to both rooms as regards their more proper purposes. A door to the Dining-room is not formally advisable ; nor even one to the Gentleman’s-room ; although both these arrangements are to be met with (see Plates XX YI. and XXXIII.), and are occasionally convenient. A communication with the Billiard-room, some- times made, may give the Library too completely the character of a lounge, so as to render it somewhat unfit for its better pur- poses. When the Library of a small house is used as the Study, by a clergyman for instance, or as the Business-room, a door to the Dining-room may be so useful as to be specially admissible, 118 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. tlie Dining-room being thus brought to serve as a Waiting-room for the occasion. The interposition, if possible, of a Lobby or small Ante-room, will, however, be an aid to propriety in almost all these cases. A Library ought in every instance to have more careful venti- lation than usual ; as otherwise there will arise from the books a well-known odour of mustiness. Dryness to a more than ordi- nary degree is also an essential, as damp proves very destructive to books. The walls, therefore, which are towards the outer air, and even the others also, if of brick or stone, ought to be bat- tened. The bookcases ought to be made of carefully-selected, well-seasoned deal or pine, with backs to all ; and a small space had better be left underneath at the floor, and behind at the wall, for the passage of air all around, the space at the floor to be moreover high enough to allow the dust to be thoroughly cleared out. The cases do not require to be higher than their own uses dictate * indeed, a space of two or three feet between the top and the ceiling, to be occupied by busts for instance, is almost a standard feature. It is to be observed that we have been hitherto dealing with the ordinary Library of an average house, and no more; but when the owner is a man of learning, we must either add a Study or constitute the Library itself one. In the latter case, in order to prevent disturbance, the door will be more conveniently placed, not in the main Corridor, but indirectly connected therewith ; no door of intercommunication ought to connect it with any other room (except possibly the Gentleman’s-room) ; and the position externally ought to be more than ordinarily secluded. Double- doors also may be required. In short, the Library, which has hitherto been a public room, and somewhat of a lounge, becomes now essentially a private retreat. When the books form a large collection , and strangers, perhaps, are occasionally admitted for reading or reference, the Library necessarily assumes more extensive proportions, and its arrange- ments become more complicated. For example, heating appa- ratus becomes very possibly indispensable ; the . question comes up of ceiling lights ; the apartments are probably carried up to the height of two stories, and Galleries formed around. Seclu- sion becomes again still more a point to be considered. If a scientific or other Museum of any extent be incorporated with the Library, special arrangements must of necessity be Sec. II., Ch. VIII. BILLIARD-ROOM. 119 made according to the requirements of wall space vertically, table space horizontally, the particular kind of light which is most suitable, and the means of access to the specimens. Paint- ings ought not to be hung in any ordinary Library unless they be curiosities, or otherwise such as not to demand special provisions for lighting, Ac. : curious engravings are frequently accommo- dated so far as space will go. Statuary is eligible in a superior room ; and busts on the top of the bookcases and on pedestals in occasional recesses, more or less accidental* are always worthy of place, and indeed of prominence. (See G-reat Library , &c., under the head of State-Rooms.) An attached Spare room or closet is always desirable for a Library of any importance, to accommodate books newly re- ceived, or set aside for binding or other [such purpose. This becomes amplified into a Librarian' s-room in other cases. In a Library of superior class, although excessive display is still undesirable, the architect will be allowed a little licence, sometimes a good deal, in the exercise of his talents for interior effect ; and, by constituting the bookcases, sculptures, &c., as parts of his design, he may, even without pretension, produce a composition which shall be of considerable artistic merit. Indeed cases are frequent in which a good Library, by being compara- tively elaborated in this way, becomes the show-room of the house. CHAPTER VIII. — Billiard-room. The Player's plan described. — Dimensions, light, floor. — Banquette. — Positions various. — Smoking. — Illustrations 'passim. This apartment in a Gentleman’s House is not meant to with- stand the criticism of players ; but we are bound to point out how it is to be more fastidiously planned when required. The difficulty lies more particularly in the arrangement of lights. The process of plotting the plan is this : set out 12 feet by 6 feet for a table of the most usual size, and not less than 6 feet all round it for the player ; form a ceiling light about the size of the table, and exactly over it ; and give a fireplace wherever convenient, so as to warm the room effectually and yet not be in the way of the player. If a skylight cannot be 120 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. had, the character of the room for use by day is seriously damaged ; and windows in the walls must then be so contrived as to throw a light on the table which shall be as nearly as pos- sible equal at all parts and without shadow, — no easy matter. For artificial light three chandeliers over the table are considered best, placed on the central line, 8J feet apart, and 3 feet above the table. It is important that the table should be warranted against vibration ; the floor, therefore, if there be a Basement under, must be made rigid, and the construction contrived with special reference to the bearings of the table-legs, four on each side. If the room be large enough, there may be fixed benches or couches along part of the walls, elevated a few inches by a ban- quette or step. The usual Billiard-room, however, is no more than an Apart- ment of about the dimensions above indicated, with both side and end light as an essential matter, if possible. The position of a Billiard-room (looked at as a possibly noisy room) is probably best when it opens either from a large Entrance Hall or from the entrance end of the Principal Corridor or Gallery ; and so as to be situated not exactly amongst the Dwelling-rooms, but still in close communication with them, for the access of the ladies. (See Plates XXI., XXII., XXVI., XXX., XXXIV.). Sometimes it is placed as an external appendage, approached by a short balcony or covered way ; but this is for smoking. (See Plate XLI.) Another form of the same idea, and a preferable one, is to interpose a Conservatory between it and the House ; whereby sufficient separation is effected without sacrificing the indoor character of the room. Sometimes the Billiard-room is combined with the Library ; but generally to the disadvantage of the latter : sometimes it is made an open adjunct to the Entrance -Hall (Plate XXXI.) ; but this also with obvious inconvenience to the players. Sometimes the Entrance Hall itself is made to hold the billiard-table in the centre of the floor ; but this is to be considered as mere matter of economy. If a Billiard-room really within the house is to be used by smokers, care must be taken to shut it off, not only from the Public-rooms, but even from the chief Thoroughfares ; and it ought to be so ventilated that the passage of the smoke from the win- dows may not be a nuisance in any way. (See Smoking-room.) Sec. II., Ch. IX, BUSINESS-ROOM. 121 CHAPTER IX. — Gentleman’s-room or Business-room. Its uses defined. — Situation, and means of access. — Waiting-room. — Agent’s- room. — Special Entrance. — Aspect. — Interior arrangement. — Strong-closet or Deed-room. — Lavatory, &c. — Intercommunication. — When in Private Suite, &c. — Illustrations. This apartment in its most proper and characteristic form (see the plans generally throughout the volume) is the private room of a gentleman whose mornings are more or less spent in practical affairs. In a superior house it will be a good-sized plain room, with space for a few maps on the walls, bookcases for practical works of reference, the same for papers, and a fire-proof closet for deeds and documents of importance. If a justice of the peace, the owner will make this apartment his Justice-room ; as a landlord he will transact business here with his tenants and servants ; and as master of the house he will receive the tradesmen and domestics. His intimates and acquaintances also will be shown in to him here. Accordingly, its situation ought to be such that it shall be, first, of course, readily reached from the family Thoroughfares ; but secondly accessible from the main Entrance without passing through the Family Department; and thirdly accessible from a secondary Entrance, which will be generally the principal Servants’-door or Luggage-Entrance. The purpose is to admit all sorts of persons on business as directly as possible to this room, without interfering with the Thoroughfares of the family, and using as little as possible those of the domestics. The most eligible position will consequently be what may be called the separating point between the Main House and the Offices, with a direct access from both, and a judiciously -contrived route of entrance through each. A Waiting-room, or some equivalent space in the Servants’ Corridor, ought to be provided in all good houses ; or the Butler’s Pantry will be used for the purpose, which is inconvenient. The Servants’ Hall may be used more legitimately. The butler will generally be the personal attendant of his master; and so it is well to place his Pantry close at hand. The Dining-room ought also to be sufficiently near to serve as a W aiting-room for friends : the Library is better kept private. 122 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. Some gentlemen require an Agent' s-room adjoining, for the land steward or bailiff, or for a clerk ; this may have a door of intercommunication with the principal room (as indeed may the Waiting-room also), provided it be not considered to interfere with privacy. A special Entrance is in such a case sometimes added, called the Business-room Entrance; this relieves the Servants’ entrance altogether, but not the entrance-door of the house. The aspect of a Business-room will of course follow the same principles which have already been alluded to in treating of the Library. The interior plan of the room ought to be such as to allow the occupant to have fire, door, and window, all in his front ; (see Study;) with, at the same time, not only comfortable accommodation for a friend by the fire, but as much as possible all that has been before claimed for an ordinary Library. The Strong-closet ought to be placed in a very convenient corner, and certainly not exposed to the reach of persons passing in and out the room. This may be amplified, if necessary, to the size of a Deed-room , — still made fire-proof of course. A capacious common Closet will be found a convenient addition for the reception of bulky things. A Lavatory , &c., ought to be had, either specially or otherwise, at hand. A door of intercommunication is sometimes made to the Library, or to the Boudoir or Morning-room ; but the latter arrangements especially are quite irregular. When incorporated in a Private Family Suite , as in Plates XIV., XXVII., XXXIV., and others, the Gentleman’s-room must not be allowed to suffer in any of the points above set forth ; and there is no necessity that it should do so. Although the description here given applies essentially to a room for the transaction of business, there are many in- stances where a gentleman’s affairs are so simple as to involve little or no business whatever. In such a case the question of plan will be still the same ; the room will probably be dif- ferently furnished, but this is all; and in every house of im- portance, even if the existing owner should altogether divest himself of business, it is still highly desirable to provide, according to the style of the establishment, the proper acces- sories, so that nothing may be found wanting if the system should be changed. Sec. II., Ch. X. STUDY. 123 Plates XY., XYI., XXVI., XXVIII., and many others, show the Gentleman’s-room in several varieties, and Plate XXXIII. is to be especially looked at. CHAPTER X.— Study. Defined. — Situation, aspect, &c. — Difficulty of light, &c. — Model plan. — Ex- ceptional cases. — Illustrations. The simplest form of Study exists in a small house built for a studious man, for instance a Parsonage. It is generally the Library also for his own purposes ; a bookcase of lighter reading being placed in the Dining-room or Drawing-room, for the family. But the arrangements of a Study attached (we may say instead of a Gentleman Vroom) to a larger Library will not necessarily differ from what is required in this ; as a Study, in whatever circumstances, may be defined to be a place of reading and writing for one person alone. In situation , it ought specially to be retired, and if not too readily accessible, all the better: casual visitors need not be tempted to look in upon the student in passing — “just to say how-d’ye-do.” The aspect , seeing that the occupant is probably engaged in it all day, ought to be cheerful. As respects both sight and sound, the surroundings ought to be such as shall not distract his atten- tion. No door of intercommunication is allowable, except it be to the Library ; or if for domestic reasons a connection with the Dining-room be dictated, it must be accepted only as a compro- mise. Otherwise the principles laid down for the Library and Gentleman’s-room will govern the Study. It is generally a small-sized apartment ; but ought always to be made larger than is the custom if possible, for the sake of a sedentary man’s health, comfort, and cheerfulness of mind. It is never otherwise than most important in planning a Study that the student should sit comfortably at his desk as regards fireplace and door, and have the proper benefit of a front left light. In many a case (as has been hinted in our chapter on Comfort) he has to dispose himself in a very small room under the perplexing choice of placing his back either to the fire, to 124 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. the door, or to tlie window itself. It is perhaps perfection to have at his back a blank wall covered with the bookcases, on his left a window, on his right the fire, and in his front the door. (See marginal sketch.) If the fire can be kept towards the blank end and the window towards the other, let them be so. The door, also, may be placed in the angle next the study. window, if preferred, scale i inch to 30 feet. F or a clergyman it will perhaps most generally happen that the Study must be so situated as to be of ready access for the transaction of business ; in which case the door ought to be placed within easy reach of the Front Entrance for one class of visitors, and the Servants’ Entrance for another. The Study of an exceptional kind, as for a scientific man, a naturalist, or an artist, must necessarily be contrived with special reference to peculiar circumstances which cannot be here entered upon with any effect. Certain adjuncts also may be required, according to the case, which are not reducible to system. The occupant must dictate. (See Plates XXV., XXIX., and XLI., for examples of the Study.) CHAPTER XI. — Saloon. A characteristic of Palladian plan. — Described. — Sala or Salon. — Adaptation to later plan. — Illustrations. — The Mediaeval Gallery. In our Mansions of the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries the Saloon is a standard feature. It occupies, for instance, the middle of the Garden front, having on one hand the Drawing- room, and on the other perhaps the Library, with central doors of intercommunication, by means of which the three apartments are thrown into a suite at pleasure. The external wall contains the Garden-Entrance as the central feature of the Fapade, together with two or more windows ; and the opposite wall con- tains a central doorway from the Front-Entrance or the Central- Hall. (See Plates XII., XIII.) The Saloon in this form is chiefly used now as a stately Ante-room or Garden-Entrance- Hall ; but formerly it constituted definitely a Dwelling-room, of the more public kind peculiar to Palladian plan and character- Sec. II., Ch. XII. SALOON. 125 istic of Italian and French houses to this day under the name of Sala or Salon. The Saloon when used in similar form in more modern houses is, as a rule, still more of a thoroughfare and less of a room ; but there are some instances in which it has assumed a good deal of the continental character rather than the Pal- ladian, as in Plates XXX. and XXXI. In both these cases it is simply a large public apartment with the Dining-room at one end and the Drawing-room at the other, becoming itself properly an unoccupied general reception-room and a thorough- fare route between these two. In Plate XXX. this idea is very characteristically carried out, and the Loggia in front towards the Garden, like a verandah, still adds to the charm of the apartment — if there be light enough. But supposing this Saloon to be made a Family-Sitting-room, then it requires very careful special disposition, (as an examination of Plate XXX. will clearly show,) or the access of the rooms at the end may become very much confused. In a suite of State Apartments , however, such a disposition may answer well. Arrangements of the Mediaeval style will probably make of the Gallery all that can be required. (See further Thoroughfares , — Saloon.) CHAPTER XII. — Private Family Suite. Described. — Illustrations. — Modified arrangements. A feature much esteemed in our best Mansions may be called by this name ; being, in fact, generally a suitable portion of the Ground-floor, perhaps one particular wing, specially appro- priated as a private lodging for the master and mistress of the house. It comprehends when in perfection a Gentleman’s Sitting-room (being the Business-room), and a Lady’s Sitting- room (being the Boudoir), the Bedroom, Dressing-rooms, and appurtenances of a Principal Bedchamber Suite (see Sleeping - rooms), and occasionally a Waiting-room. The whole of these are grouped upon a private Corridor, which is often placed also in connection with a special Garden door, thus constituted a Private Entrance for the suite. A Staircase close at hand goes upwards to the Nurseries and Bedchambers of the Family. In 126 THE DAY-ROOMS. rT. II., Div. I. Plate XIV., the plan of Longleat, (historically peculiar in this respect,) the general arrangement here described is to be seen to great advantage. (See also Plates XXI., XXII., and XXXIV.) A modification of the idea, frequently used, places on the Principal-floor the Gentleman’ s-room and Boudoir only, and the Bedchamber Suite immediately overhead, still keeping the private Staircase and the Entrance. Sometimes again the Gentleman’s Dressing-room will be preferred on the lower level, attached to the Gentleman’s room, in spite of the inconvenience of passing up and down stairs to and from bed. As regards aspect, internal arrangement, and other considerations, the prin- ciples which apply are those which govern other apartments respectively similar. CHAPTER XIII. — House Conservatory (and Winter- garden). Purposes of this Conservatory. — Illustrations. — Light. — Arrangement. — Heat- ing apparatus. — Difficulties when attached to a Room. — Intercommunication, &c. — Aspect. — Winter-Garden described. — Construction. — Arrangement. The Conservatory which is here referred to is merely such a structure as may be attached to the House by way of an adjunct to the Eamily-rooms, to accommodate potted plants, and perhaps a few creepers to cover a wall or run up a pillar. (See Plates XXIX, XXXIII., XXXV., XLI.) To preserve the plants in good condition and natural form it is desirable to have as much as possible of equable front and top light ; the best arrangement therefore is that which provides a glazed screen along the front and ends, and a wholly or partially glazed roof, the forms to be dictated by taste and convenience. In cases where a Balcony is formed above, the top light ought not to be too much reduced in quantity. The screenwork in front also ought to be in all cases as open as the architectural style will possibly permit. This Conservatory may have any arrangement that is desired, subject to the conditions just laid down ; but generally the archi- tect will do well to provide for a dwarf stage or shelf about 24 or 30 inches high and 12 inches broad along the open front, and Sec. II., Ch. XIII. HOUSE CONSERVATORY. 127 an ordinary stepped stage against the back wall, with a passage of any width from 2 or 3 feet upwards, but the wider the better, between the two stages just described. This refers of course to ordinary cases: when an extensive structure of the kind is required, this becomes matter for special design and contrivance, involving principles which are beyond our present province. The Heating apparatus , in the form which has usually to be provided for, is comparatively simple. If there be a general hot-water supply, this will probably be made available ; if not, a Boiler-house must be formed underneath, and fitted up with whatever description of boiler may be preferred from amongst the many that compete for public favour. In connection with this, the architect will have to provide for the actual heating pipes. These will be either placed under the pavement of the passage in a brick channel covered by a grating, or they will be exposed to view under the dwarf stages along the front. The latter is the best arrangement, if so contrived that the doorways shall be avoided, as no dip of the pipes can be allowed. It must never be lost sight of that for a Conservatory to be too directly attached to a Dwelling-room is unadvisable. The warm moist air, impregnated with vegetable matter and dete- riorated by the organic action of the plants, is both unfit to breathe and destructive of the fabrics of furniture and decora- tion. On a small scale, however, and when used only for com- paratively hardy plants, it may be a very pleasant adjunct, provided it be never overheated and always well ventilated. It need scarcely be remarked that the sashes, of whatever kind, ought almost all to open, so that in summer weather there may be no difficulty in the admission of air precisely as required. The intercommunication most usual for a Conservatory is with either the Drawing-room, Boudoir, or Morning-room ; or, what is probably better than all, with a Saloon, Vestibule, Gallery, or Corridor, immediately adjoining any of those apartments. The Staircase a] so may be connected with it so as to have a good effect. An outer door to the grounds is of course indispensable ; indeed a small Conservatory is probably best of all when con- stituted to form a floral porch. After what has been said, it will at once suggest itself that the interposition of a Lobby or small Ante-room , or Porch, capable of thorough ventilation, may be made so serviceable in preventing ill effects, that it ought seldom if ever to be dispensed with. 128 THE DAY-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. The aspect ought to be such as to catch every possible ray of sunshine in winter : consequently the glazed surfaces ought to extend as far East and West as can be contrived. The morning sun, however, if a choice has to be made, is preferable to that of the evening. The general rule, it may be worth while to state, for the dis- position of a Conservatory as regards aspect, supposing light to be equal on all sides, is to place the longitudinal axis (with a central path) due North and South. Thus the sunshine is thrown more on one stage of plants before noon and more on the other side after noon, and at noontide itself equally on both. This principle, however, seldom applies to such a case as we have in hand, except for example when the structure is more of an extended Covered-way or floral Gallery at right angles to a South front than a Conservatory proper. The term Winter- Garden is applied to a glasshouse on so extensive a scale as to cover a considerable area, say 50 feet square or upwards. In the plan of Somerleyton Hall (Plate XXXII.) a structure of this kind is represented which has been much admired ; its dimensions being 100 feet square exclusive of accessories. The purpose in every such case is to accommo- date, for gardening effect rather than mere conservation, a col- lection of rare plants, to be kept in condition during winter by artificial heat, interspersed with sculptures, rockwork, shellwork, one or more fountains, and so on, and the jullars shrouded in masses of creepers and pendent runners ; and beyond a doubt the value of such an adjunct to a stately Mansion ought not to be underestimated. The mode of construction adopted nowadays would be inva- riably to a great degree the use of iron. The roof particularly would be, as a rule, formed of an iron framework, for the sake of lightness of appearance, receiving the glass probably in ordinary deal sashes. The front, if of stone or brick, would be as open as possible, seeing that the weight upon it is trifling. With scientific adjustment the number of columns required within the area for the support of the roof may be reduced to very few. A good Fountain is almost an essential feature in a Winter- Garden, to be placed in the centre generally. Stages for pots, and beds for plants, are to be arranged according to taste. Statues and vases constitute an invaluable aid to the charm Sec. II., Ch. XIY. SMOKING-ROOM. 120 desired. Mirrors may be introduced. Lamps also, or gaslights, are sometimes part of the project. Ornamental pavement is par- ticularly applicable ; and decorative designs may also be adopted on the blank walls. The Heating apparatus may be of the ordinary kind, most probably circulation pipes in channels under the floor. It is manifest that other kinds of Greenhouses may be added to form a more complete suite, if the taste of the proprietor leads him to desire such (as the Fern and Palm-houses in Plate XXXII.) ; but it is not necessary that in this treatise we should enlarge upon such particulars. Further notes, however, will be found amongst the remarks on the Grounds. CHAPTER XIY. — Smoking-room. Purpose. — Position, Access, Prospect, and Ventilation. The pitiable resources to which some gentlemen are driven, even in their own houses, in order to be able to enjoy the pes- tiferous luxury of a cigar, have given rise to the occasional introduction of an apartment specially dedicated to the use of Tobacco. The Billiard-room is sometimes allowed to be more or less under the dominion of the smoker, if contrived accord- ingly ; but this would in other cases be impossible ; and there are even instances where, out of sheer encouragement of the practice, a retreat is provided altogether apart, where the dolce far niente in this particular shape may solely and undisturbedly reign. The position selected for a Smoking-room is sometimes a species of prospect-chamber in a tower; sometimes a room upstairs to which a spacious balcony is attached ; sometimes a chamber on the ground level, detached, or at least shut off from the Main House. In all cases of any importance the access ought to be as easy as may be from the Dining-room quarter ; and if the room be situated on an upper floor it may even be well to have a small special stair to it. The prospect ought to be a pleasant one for the evening, and the aspect to be preferred will be Westward. A fireplace is necessary for winter ; and complete ventilation is essential on the K 130 GENTLEMEN’S ODD ROOM. Part II., Div. I score of both health and cleanliness, so that a comparatively large ventilator in the ceiling will always be required. As regards prospect more particularly, it must be remembered that such a room ought to have some sort of inducement attached to it apart from mere withdrawal ; in other words, the smoker ought to be permitted to have some better excuse than the mere desire to smoke. For the same reason the room itself should be a good one, and well got up. In short, it ought to be a charming chat- ting-room with smoking allowed. CHAPTER XV. — Gentlemen’s Odd room. Useful for miscellaneous purposes. — Size, position, look-out, and access. In the country more especially, the young gentlemen of the house may find themselves very much at a loss sometimes for an informal place in which 44 to do as they like.” In one corner there may be a work-bench and tool-chest ; over the mantel- piece there may be foils and dumb-bells ; the fireside may be dedicated to the cigar, very properly forbidden elsewhere ; there may be a lathe in another corner ; in a closet, out of harm’s way, there may be an electrical machine and half a dozen things of the sort ; while in a plain cabinet at the end of the room there may be deposited collections, prepared and unprepared, bota- nical, entomological, mineralogical, &c. &c. &c. There seems no reason why, in a large house, there should not be one room more on this account. In size such a room ought not to be too small. In position it ought to be out of the Main House, and yet not directly amongst the Offices : near the Butler’s-Pantry will do ; and next the Gun-room will be exactly right. It may have its look-out on the Lawn or Garden, or on the Entrance Court, but not on the Servants’ department in any way. The route of access from the Front-Entrance ought not to pass through the chief Thorough- fares ; and the back-way may be the Luggage-Entrance. (See Plate XXXY.) Sec. III., Ch. I. AN ORDINARY BEDROOM. 131 SECTION III. THE SLEEPING-ROOMS. CHAPTER I. — An Ordinary Bedroom. Chance plan objectionable. — Primary features. — Proper arrangement of an ordi- nary room. — Additional windows, shutters, and draperies — French manner. — Alcove for bed. — Doors. — Furniture. — Form. — Dimensions. — Closets. — Light and ventilation. — Aspect. — Alcove dressing-place. — Illustrations passim. In the case of Bedrooms it is too much the practice to allow the plan of the rooms to go by chance , leaving the furniture to be placed, and other internal arrangements for occupation effected, as best may be. But for so unintelligent a mode of proceeding there cannot be any real excuse. It is true that as a rule a Bedroom comes to be governed by the form of some other apartment beneath it, whose purposes are not perhaps analogous to its own ; but, whatever difficulties may thus arise, they will generally yield to the patience of an experienced designer ; and it is not too much to say that each Bedroom by itself ought to be made to display, not only the absence of that haphazard of which we complain, but an obvious attention to all those points of comfort and convenience which pertain to the character of so important an apartment. The primary features of plan in a Bedroom are, first, the door or doors, the fireplace, and the windows ; and secondly, the bedstead, the dressing-table, and the wardrobe ; and it has to be remembered that every Bedroom must be considered not merely as a sleeping-room but as occasionally a sick-room. Take the most usual kind of Bedroom, namely, one for a married couple with a Dressing-room attached for the gentleman. This may be considered as a room of good size, about square in form, with the window in the middle of one side, the fireplace in the middle of another side, and the door in one angle. Now we shall suppose the position of the window alone to be de- termined. We may at once make it a rule to place the bedstead K 2 132 THE SLEEPING-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. (its head being to the wall after the English manner) with its side to the window, rather than its foot. By this means the light is favourably placed, whether for a sleeper or for a sick person : experiment must prove this. The next rule is that the side next the window ought to be the left side. (See marginal sketch — English Bedroom.) The door thus goes to the right side (D) ; and the fire ought then to be placed opposite the foot of the bed (F). The door is best placed in the position shown on the sketch, because, as it must open with its back towards the fire (the rule for all doors), this position allows it to open with its back also towards the bed (equally a rule). The Dressing- room door may then be in any other corner, — say at d, or pre- ferably at d. The result of all this is soon apparent ; the lady has the left side of the room, with the window, dressing table, washstand, and fire, all conveniently together, and the door quite out of the way, — the Dressing-room door being also out of the way if it be at the point d. In other words, the room is pre- cisely adapted for the lady's Dressing-room. In a superior room there will be nothing positively at variance with this arrangement ; and so it may be taken as a good elementary idea for all Bedrooms whatever, to be adhered to as often as possible, and to be kept in mind when not possible, so as to indicate what modifications of plan may be desirable by way of compensation. When the window cannot be placed on the proper side, the lady will probably follow her dressing-table to the other. When any additional window is introduced, this ought to be done with care ; so as not to interfere with the above arrange- ment, but rather to add something to it on the same principle. The designer must also remember that window - shutters and draperies , and bed-curtains , ought to be capable of being more or less dispensed with, — in other words, they ought not to be rendered necessary by his mistakes of lighting. Whilst, however, all this may be theoretically correct, it is certainly very often made the rule, especially in large rooms, to place a four-post-bedstead with its fool to the light. The prin- cijDle chiefly in view is that a draught from the window is thus rendered impossible. Besides, the fireside, if the doors be well placed, may be more snug. In the case of an oblong room, with two or more windows along one side, this arrangement is frequently rendered inevitable. Sec. III., Ch. I. AN ORDINARY BEDROOM. 133 If the bedstead be placed after the French manner, with one side to the wall, the head ought to be in the direction of the light rather than the foot, and the fireplace if possible, rather than the window, in front. The best French arrangement (Italian also) places the bedstead in an Alcove, as is well known ; but it is to be noted that this is done more on Sitting-room considerations than otherwise, the characteristic French Bedroom of the present day being so far very much like the old English “ Parlour.” At the same time, as a merely pleasant feature, the alcove in question is certainly worth copying in English plan, provided, of course, it is not to be occupied by a four-post- bedstead. This kind of room appears very suitable for young ladies. (See Plate XXXYI.) The arrangement of the doors in a Bed- room is of no small importance, as there may be sometimes three or even four of these. If there be but one, let it be as far as possible from both the bedstead and the fireplace, in such a position as not to create a draught towards the bedstead ; and especially see that a straight line from door to fire shall not cross the bed. It is better to have the door near the bedstead than near the fire ; and it must on no account be near the window. The rule, that it should open with its back towards both bed and fire, we have already alluded to. When there are several doors, the question of their disposition becomes a problem on the same principles ; because all must be considered in this climate as sources of draughts. Much of the difficulty, however, is lost when the size of the room is sufficiently large in proportion to the number of doors ; and for a small room to have many doors is a fatal mistake. In any case the problem is one for ingenuity to solve— how to place them as a whole least objectionably with reference to the bedstead, the fireside, and the dressing-table. The Furniture in a good ordinary Bedroom is as follows. There will be a small table to be accommodated, which may stand almost anywhere near the fire ; a washstand in the light ; English Bedroom. French Bedroom. Scale 1 inch to 30 feet. B. Bedstead. D. T. Dressing-table. W. Wardrobe. W. S. Washstand. 134 THE SLEEPING-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. a pier-glass with its back to the light ; a wardrobe facing the light, and in a central position ; a couch, chairs, easy chairs ; a chest of drawers, cheffonier perhaps, or cabinet or side-table, and so on, according to the size of the room. It will be found, upon a careful consideration of these general principles, that the best form for an average Bedroom is the square : an oblong room must have either the bedstead or the light occupying one end or shorter wall, whereas for both alike the longer wall or side is most suitable. Oblong plans, however, are in practice most common ; and then the best is that which, by having light at the end, admits of the bedstead occupying one side, with the other arrangements based thereon. In large rooms, however, the difficulty ceases to exist. As respects size , a square of 16 feet makes a good ordinary room, or 16 feet by 20 ; 20 feet square is a very commodious size ; 18 by 24 feet makes a room of the first class. For young persons it is not unusual to have bedrooms much smaller, and the bedstead may, if necessary, be placed in a corner; but rooms of less size than about 14 by 12 feet ought scarcely to be proposed in a house of respectable pretensions. A good old-fashioned Closet is never out of place attached to a Bedroom, care being taken that it shall be very dry and (what is almost the same thing) well ventilated ; small Bedrooms generally, especially in small houses, ought invariably to have such closets, or cupboards, to take the place of wardrobes. The lighting of a Bedroom ought to be cheerful and sufficient; but it is not advisable to multiply windows ; in most ordinary cases it is best to confine them to one wall. Loftiness and ventilation need scarcely be mentioned, except for the sake of remarking the fact that there is too often a disposition to economise expense in the height of the Chamber stories, some- times combined also with an inclination to depress the windows for the sake of exterior architectural effect. In small rooms there ought to be some simple means of assisting ventilation. The aspect of Bedrooms must generally follow the lead of the Dwelling-rooms below; but in selecting an aspect for any particular case, the principles to look at will be these. For the pleasantness of the morning sun, from North-East to South-East is to be preferred ; for coolness towards night in summer, the same ; for dry mild winds and daylight pleasantness, (as for a Sec. III., Ch. II. AN ORDINARY DRESSING-ROOM. 135 W. W. •W sick-room,) South-East more particularly. South-West and West rooms become hot, and are exposed to. boisterous weather and rain ; Northward rooms may prove cold. A very convenient form of Bed- room is that which has an Alcove dressing-place. When the room is to be used by a bachelor, for in- stance, who makes it his private retreat during the day, or “ own room,” this arrangement answers well; in case of sickness also it is sometimes to be appreciated. Bedrooms with Dressing Alcoves. Scale 1 inch to 30 feet. CHAPTER II. — -An Ordinary Dressing-room. Dimensions, uses, and furniture. — Arrangement and aspect. — General principles of accommodation ; Bedroom ; one Dressing-room ; two Dressing-rooms ; Boudoir. The primary idea here is that of a comparatively small private room attached to a Bedroom for the purposes of the toilet. The size of this room may vary from 9 or 10 feet square, as the smallest reasonable limit for a gentleman, up to the dimen- sions sometimes of a considerable apartment for a lady ; the gentleman requiring comparatively little space in general, and the lady always requiring a good deal more, — and still more if the room is made a private Sitting-room as after-mentioned. The furniture generally will consist of a dressing-table, wash- stand, wardrobe or drawers, and so on, for a gentleman, with a side-table and chairs ; and similar articles for a lady on a more extensive scale, including a centre-table perhaps. Closets and cupboards will always be valued if appropriately placed. In a gentleman’s room of superior class there will be a small bedstead in one corner ; in which case the plan of the room has to be studied as a Bedroom. Every Dressing-room, without exception, ought to have a fireplace ; and the relation between this and the doors must follow the general rule. When the room is to be used as a Sitting-room, care must be taken especially to make a com- fortable fireside. That a Dressing-room must always have its 136 THE SLEEPING-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. own outer door is matter of universal rule. If a lady’s room, it must also have a door of direct intercommunication with the Bed- room ; whereas in a gentleman’s room it is allowable to have no more than the one outer door, provided it opens close to the door of the Bedroom and within a private Lobby. The principles of aspect just laid down for the Bedroom apply, when circumstances permit, with equal force to the Dressing- room. For day use, however, as a Sitting-room, the best aspect would of course be South-Eastward. The principle of accommodation which governs the providing of Dressing-rooms seems to be this. For a single person the Bed- room alone is sufficient, as a rule. For a married couple with the least possible degree of fastidiousness the Bedroom alone, if of sufficient size, may still suffice. Then comes the case of one Dressing-room , (the universal standard plan,) by which it may be said the gentleman’s toilet is taken out of the lady’s way, she retaining the Bed-room ; this admits also of the attendance of servants. Then follows the case of two Dressing-rooms , which in its simplest form supposes the lady not to give up the use of the Bedroom for dressing, but to make use of a retiring-room for washing. Then as the size of this retiring room is increased, the lady removes into it the appliances of her toilet, and of course her wardrobe ; still, however, retaining the Bedroom for dressing purposes as may be required, and this especially if her Dressing-room becomes a Boudoir without another being added, in which case the Bedroom must be more or less restored to its original character of her sole Dressing-room. CHAPTER III. — General Arrangement of the Rooms. Common defects of plan. — Scheme of classification, &e. — Progressive scale of accommodation. The want of proper care in determining the plan of Bedrooms individually has already been alluded to ; a similar complaint has now to be made as regards their disposition together; for the ordinary mode of planning the sleeping accommodation of even superior houses must be said to be too often very much of a chance-medley. Following the arrangement of walls below, Sec. III., Ch. III. ARRANGEMENT OF SLEEPING-ROOMS. 137 the upper stories are little else than divided into as many Bed- rooms of suitable size as can be had, with a certain number of Dressing-rooms and the proper Supplementaries ; an appropria- tion is then made throughout of such as are required for the family, the remainder being reserved for guests ; Passages are formed as required ; and the house is said to happen to be very well off for Bedrooms, or tolerably so, or not at all so, as fortune will have it. But as we have before demanded that, in spite of accidental disadvantages, the Bedrooms individually shall be carefully accommodated to their internal requirements, so we must now claim that they shall be equally well studied collec- tively. The Classification of the sleeping accommodation is in no case very complicated. The primary idea goes no farther in an average establishment than this, — that there shall be rooms for the Family, rooms for Guests, and rooms for Children. In superior examples there may be a Private Suite, perhaps more than one, as distinguished from all others. Bachelors -rooms in many instances constitute a class. Young ladies' -rooms also are easily constituted a special class. The Nurseries are always separate. Occasionally an Invalid Suite is matter of special plan. Subordinates' rooms for tutor, governess, lady’s companion, secretary, or the like, may also be called a class. (See Plate XXXYI.) The diversity, however, amongst all these is little more than that of position. The chief Guests’ Chambers in a manner take precedence, with the rooms of the heads of the family ; those of the less formal guests and the rest of the family come next ; then the accommodation of the subordinates ; and lastly, the Nurseries. The advantages of position to be appro- priated are no more than these, — facility, and sometimes stateli- ness, of access, — superiority of aspect and prospect, — larger dimensions, and superior conveniences. In the remaining chapters of this Section what we have to say upon these questions will be found in connection with the particular classes of apartments as they arise. As regards the question of the scale of Bedchamber accommo- dation suitable for any particular case, if there should seem to be any difficulty involved it is more apparent than real. In every instance of what we call a Gentleman’s House, however small, there will be surely at least one of the chief Bedrooms which has a Dressing-room attached to it, (even although not 138 THE SLEEPING-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. always used,) and there will be more of these as the size of the house increases ; a Suite with two Dressing-rooms may be taken to mark a point of very considerable advance in dignity, and there will be more of these as the scale increases ; self-enclosed Suites of the more complete character, to be presently described, introduce an element of still greater refinement, and the further development of these carries forward the establishment to the first rank. As to State Bedchambers , they will be spoken of in their place ; and Servants' -rooms also under their proper head. CHAPTER IV. — Family Bedchamber-Suite. Situation and seclusion. — Two models. — Constituent rooms and arrangement. — Attendants’ access. — Addition of Boudoir ; and of Gentleman’s-room. — Illustrations. Although the mistress of a hospitable English house will desire to give her guests every preference, yet this need not deprive her own rooms of their right to conditions in every way favour- able. The situation in all external and internal relations ought to be so selected and contrived as to combine the best that can be had of cheerfulness, aspect and prospect, convenience of access in various directions, and special retirement. In superior houses privacy will require to be now carried so far that probably these rooms may form a department by them- selves, entirely separated. Here there are two models chiefly in use. In the one the Suite is placed on the principal Chamber- story, as a Bedchamber Suite, and connected with the Gentle- man’s-room and Boudoir below by means of a Private Staircase (see Plate XXVII.) ; in the other it is placed on the Ground- floor, and in direct combination with the Gentleman’s-room and Boudoir, thus constituting the Private Family Suite which has been described under the previous Section of Day Rooms. (Plates XIV., XXI., XXII., and XXXIV.) A complete Bedchamber Suite on the former of these models consists of the Bedroom, either one Dressing-room or two, a Bath-room, a Water-closet (or one to each Dressing-room), very often a special Wardrobe-room, always a private Passage or Lobby or its equivalent, and, when the suite is upstairs, properly a private Staircase. If a Lady’s-maid’s-room be provided in Sec. III., Ch. IV. PRINCIPAL BEDCHAMBER-SUITE. 139 conjunction, it ought not to be so placed as to be actually one of the Suite. (Plates XIV. and XXXIV.) The outer door of the private Passage or Lobby, when there is no private Stair, will open from the principal Chamber Corridor or its equivalent ; and in the case of there being a private Stair, a door of connec- tion between this and the principal Chamber Corridor will follow the same rule. The best position for the Private Staircase for such a Suite is one that shall allow it to ascend from a point beside the doors of the G-entleman’s-room and the Boudoir below ; and obviously it must on no account be liable to be mistaken for any other Stair. It may perhaps serve also for the Nurseries, as in the case before described in the Private Family Suite . The G-entlemans Dressing-room need not be of any more im- portance than the best of its kind. The Lady's Dressing-room, however, may be required to be a very elegant apartment, as a second or even sole Boudoir. In this case let its door be oppo- site the entrance from the Corridor, so that it may be of direct and somewhat stately access. (Plate XLI.) The Bath-room ought to communicate with the Bedroom, having also, if possible, a second entrance from the private Passage. It ought certainly to have a fireplace. The Wardrobe may be either a small room, a closet, or a lobby, containing large presses ; sometimes a fire- place may be serviceable. Care will especially be required that all these and other smaller apartments, including the private Passage or Staircase, shall be well lighted and ventilated. This problem, if to be solved with due regard to compactness of arrangement, is not always easy. (See the Plates before-men- tioned, also XXXVI. and XXXVII.) There must not be forgotten the lady's-maid's access to this Suite of apartments, perhaps that of the valet also. At the same time, to have these attendants placed in any immediate connec- tion with the rooms is seldom desirable, and it will be generally sufficient if they can reach with facility from their proper Sleeping-rooms respectively the Corridor with which the private Lobby of the Suite is connected. Sometimes the lady’s-maid may have her room placed in communication with the Wardrobe, and so attached to the Suite. In some cases the accommodation comprehended in a Suite of this kind includes, besides the Dressing-room, a special Sitting- room for the lady, there being then no Boudoir elsewhere ; 140 THE SLEEPING-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. but this involves no modification of plan beyond what is self- evident. For the formal addition of the Gentleman’s-room and Boudoir to the Bedchamber Suite here described, see Private Family Suite under the head of Day Rooms. On the other hand, the contraction of the Suite within smaller limits than those above described is easily effected on whatever scale may be thought proper. CHAPTER Y. — Guests’ Suites. Purpose, situation, and arrangements generally ; and illustrations. Of similar importance to the Suite of Bedchambers for the heads of the family there may be (still speaking of superior houses) one or two such Principal Suites for married guests of their own rank, situated of course amongst the chief Bedrooms. They will correspond generally to the description given in the last chapter ; but they are seldom expected to have all the com- pleteness which we have set forth. As to access, it is obvious that no special Stairs are required ; on the contrary, in Country-Houses generally the Principal Staircase is essentially the Guests’ Chamber-Staircase, and ought to lead into an important Gallery or Corridor, in which the entrances to the Guests’ Chambers and the Family Suite (if so situated) shall constitute almost the only doors. (Plate XXXYI.) If a Lady s Dressing-room be provided in this case (which is not usual), the same principles which have been laid down will still govern, according to the importance of the room. As regards attendants access, it has to be borne in mind that this now refers to the rooms of the strangers’ servants, who are perhaps accommodated slightly apart from the domestics of the house. It is a very good plan in a house of superior style to provide as a rule a series of Ordinary Bedchamber Suites on a moderate scale for the accommodation of guests generally ; that is to say, a number of good Bedrooms, with the one Dressing-room of everyday rule attached, also the private Lobby if possible, and always the private Water-closet ; the seclusion thus afforded confers a home character upon one’s rooms which English people cannot fail to appreciate. (Plate XXXYI.) Sec. III., Ch. VI. SPECIAL BEDCHAMBERS. 141 CHAPTEE VI. — Other Special Bedchambers. Bachelors’-Bedrooms. — Young ladies’ rooms. — Invalid suite, &c. Bachelors' 1 Bedrooms, so called, are generally provided in a large establishment, as a number of smaller single rooms, placed together in a secondary position, with some sort of separate access, such as to enable the occupants to pass to and fro without ascending the Principal Staircase, or otherwise using the chief lines of Bedroom thoroughfare. The object is chiefly to provide for the sons of the family, and other young men, unceremonious apartments, and an unceremonious access thereto. (See Plate XXXYI.) The arrangement described a few pages back (see Chapter I., on an Ordinary Bedroom ), which gives the Bedroom an attached alcove for dressing, is very useful here ; as a single gentleman more than any one else is glad to make his bedroom a “ sanctum.” As a curious case in point the reader may be referred to the plan of Balmoral (Plate XVIII.), in which the only accommodation of a private kind for the Minister of State in attendance upon the Sovereign is a Bedroom with attached Dressing-closet, and a room for his valet. Young ladies' rooms may be formed by setting apart two or three contiguous ordinary Bedrooms, not too small in size, de- signed internally on a suitable plan (with Alcoves, for example, in the French manner), approached possibly in some special way, and perhaps possessing a private lobby or passage for them- selves. The Governess’s room, if any, ought to be not too far off ; because the young ladies must in some cases be under her charge. Eeady communication with the lady of the house is also the rule. In Plate XXXVI. an arrangement of this kind is carried out ; and a private Bath-room , $c., and Wardrobe lobby complete the scheme. There are cases where in a large Mansion it may be deemed desirable to provide for the contingency of having, either in the family or amongst the guests, some one who by illness, infirmity, or old age, is incapacitated for passing up and down stairs, and at the same time is able to hold a r place in the family circle. This is done by forming on the Ground-story an In- valid Suite, consisting of Bedroom, Sitting-room, Attendant’s- 142 THE SLEEPING-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. room perhaps, private Lobby, and appurtenances, situated in some unfrequented position as regards the traffic of Thorough- fares, but within easy reach of the Public Rooms, and, perhaps, of the Entrance. These apartments, when not in use for the purpose here indicated, may be otherwise occupied ; although, where much company is received, there will generally be some one to whom such accommodation is not unwelcome. It is also by no means an unfrequent custom to have such a set of apartments formed for a married couple , rather than a single person; and when, as is sometimes the case, a married son, for instance, resides permanently with the parents, a Suite of this kind proves to be very convenient indeed, possessing a great deal of the character of a separate lodging. If specially accessible from without, all the better, by one particular Garden Entrance for example. CHAPTER VII. — Miscellaneous Bedchambers. Ordinary Bedrooms. — Subordinates’ rooms. With the exceptions now set forth, the entire sleeping accom- modation of the house will be divided into the Ordinary Bed- rooms of everyday custom, some larger, some smaller, and some with a Dressing-room attached, as may be most readily arranged on the plan, but every one deserving of being carefully planned internally. For Tutor, Governess, Secretary, Companion, and the like, according to the requirements of the case, Bedrooms in the Family Department, but necessarily of a character appropriate to the position of the occupants respectively, will be very readily set apart. It will be borne in mind, however, that a person holding any of these offices in a superior establishment may require a small private Sitting-room, which it is probably best to attach to the Sleeping-room. The Bedrooms appropriated to the children of the family will be spoken of presently under the head of the Children' s-rooms. Sec. IV., Cit. I. THE CHILDREN’S-ROOMS. 143 SECTION IY. THE CHILDREN’S-ROOMS. CHAPTER I.— -General Remarks. Such special rooms essential. — Of two departments. The principle of Privacy which was laid down at an early stage of our investigation, whereby in every Gentleman’s House a distinct separation should be made between the Family and Servants, has a similar application here; that is to say, the main part of the house must be relieved from the more imme- diate occupation of the Children. More particularly, in every house of the class we have in hand, however small, the special provision of appropriate Nursery accommodation is a vital point. If not directly required by the family for whom the dwelling is being erected, and if on that account overlooked, it is certain that another household comes into occupation, sooner or later, whose case is different ; and then what would have been an easy matter at the first is found perhaps to be impracticable, except as a makeshift. Moreover, no loss of accommodation, or even of convenience, need be sustained in providing what is here referred to, inasmuch as the rooms, when not required for their more special purpose, ought to be suitable for other occupation. The Children’s-rooms, when complete, are of two departments, namely, that of the Nursery and that of the School-room . In the one the younger children are accommodated under charge of the nurse ; in the other, those who are withdrawn from the Nursery are placed under the charge of the governess ; after a few years, when the boys are sent to school, the girls remain, at least for a time ; and ultimately, at a certain recognised age, the young people take their place with the adults of the family. This at least is the general theory of the case, subject to modifi- cations of arrangement, according to circumstances, which need not be here elaborated. 144 THE CHILDREN’S-ROOMS. Pt. II. , Div. I. CHAPTEE II. — Nurseries and Suite. Considerations involved. — Day and Night Nurseries and their arrangements. — Nursery Scullery and other conveniences. — Position for the Suite. — When connected with a Private Family Suite. — Ground-floor Day Nurseries, &c. — Conversion into Guests’ Suite. — Strangers’ Nursery or Sick-room. — Illustrations. As against the principle of the withdrawal of the children for domestic convenience, there is the consideration that the mother will require to have a certain facility of access to them. The distinction which thus arises is this : in houses below a certain mark this readiness of access may take precedence of the motives for withdrawal, while in houses above that mark the complete- ness of the withdrawal will be the chief object. There is, how- ever, this reservation, that in large establishments it is a withdrawal from the guests’ quarter more particularly that is required ; whilst at the same time a sort of restoration to inti- mate connection with the parents’ quarter may be accomplished. In other words, in a house where the children are supposed to be placed under the care of less experienced and responsible attendants, the Nurseries, although still kept apart, ought to be so placed as to be under the immediate supervision of the mother, both by day and by night ; secondly, in houses where superior servants are to be calculated upon, the care of the mother has only in a smaller degree to be provided for; but thirdly, this is a maxim of our national house-building, — that no English mother, even a duchess, will confide her children wholly to other hands than her own ; and fourthly, when the scale of the establishment is such that the heads of the family can treat themselves to a Private Suite of rooms, they will desire to have their children close to themselves. The primary form of proper Nursery accommodation in the smallest house is that of two rooms, a Day-room and a Sleeping- room. To determine the proper size for these apartments it is only necessary to arrive at an abstract average for the number of inmates, and to provide for these according to the style of the establishment ; leaving any case of excess beyond that average to be dealt with, when it arises, by some temporary expedient at the expense of the adjacent rooms. Upon this principle it will be generally sufficient to provide for three children and a nurse Sec. IV., Ch. II. NURSERIES. 145 in the Sleeping-room. The Day-room may be made as large as circumstances will allow, not only for the sake of space for play, but in view also of the fact that this room will often have to accommodate in various ways, besides some of the older children, the children of guests, and the guests and visitors of the children. The Night Nursery is to be carefully planned for several beds, and governed as much as possible by the rules laid down for Bedrooms ; a cheerful morning aspect being extremely de- sirable, and a comfortable fireside for seasons of illness. Good cupboards are useful, and a roomy Closet not to be refused. A convenient position may be created in superior cases for a spacious enclosure to accommodate a bath and wash-basin , fixed ; although many nurses will prefer to have such articles moveable, as being more convenient. An improvement, however, upon this, is to have a Bath-room attached. There must be a Water- closet, of course ; and this may be in the Bath-room. (See Plate XXXVI. for Nursery Suite generally.) The Bay Nursery ought to have all the characteristics of a cheerful Sitting-room, even at the risk of displacing some equally important apartment. The wardrobes will stand here, by the bye, if not in a lobby or closet. A Nursery Scullery ought to be had in every case of any pre- tension. This is a small apartment, opening from the Day Nursery or close at hand, containing a fireplace, a sink, closets, and shelving, for the use of the nurse. The Bath-room may open out of this ; although it is better to be connected with the Night Nursery. A private Passage is almost essential. In all cases the nurse in charge will sleep in the Night Nursery ; but in superior houses a Nurse's-room must be also provided. It may very conveniently open out of the Night Nursery, and so be available also as additional accommodation when required. The most usual position for the Nurseries in a good house is at that point where the Family Sleeping-rooms and the Servants’- rooms meet at the Back Staircase, and on the First Floor. This gives ready access from each side ; there is also an easy communication with the open air, apart from the Principal Staircase, and yet in immediate conjunction, if the plan be a good one, with the Principal Corridor below, and probably with h 148 THE CHILD REN’S-ROOMS. Pt. II., Div. I. a secondary Entrance. The whole suite of rooms ought obvi- ously to be self-enclosed. A still better arrangement, in cases where there is a private Family-Bedchamber-Suite, especially if this be on the Ground- Floor, is to form a corresponding suite over for the Nursery Department as a whole. When the Family-Suite, for example, including the Boudoir, if not also the Gentleman’s-room, is made to form a self-enclosed separate wing of the house with the Nurseries over, also self-enclosed, and a private Garden Entrance and Staircase, nothing can be a more exquisitely English touch of domestic refinement. (See Plates XXI., XXII., and XXXIV.) The children are thus entirely withdrawn from the Main House and all its Thoroughfares, as the domain of the guests ; and the parents, in themselves withdrawing likewise, are enabled to recover the immediate supervision of their family. In fact, here as elsewhere, the perfection of elaboration is the attainment of simplicity, and the duke and duchess have acquired at last the homely comfort of simple gentlefolk. Notwithstanding all that has been said, there really seems to be no valid reason why in Country Houses we should not have more frequently a Ground-Floor Day-Nursery . In direct con- nection with a retired nook of Lawn for playground, such a room with good aspect would be greatly superior, for all con- siderations of the health and pleasure of the children, to any upstairs room. Indeed we can imagine cases where the entire suite of Nursery-rooms, and even the School-room for the older children, might with every advantage be disposed on the Ground-Floor, for the same reason that the Day-rooms of the house are invariably there, and frequently also the best of the Bedrooms. When there are no children in the house, a good Nursery Suite makes a very superior Guests' Suite , — the Night Nursery becoming the Bedroom, the Day Nursery a Sitting-room (or a second Bedroom), the Scullery being made a Dressing-room, and the Supplementaries being of course complete. A spare-room, or an ordinary Bedroom, communicating with the Nursery Passage, may at times be very useful in the capacity of a Strangers' Nursery or in that of a SicJc-room . (See Plate XXXVI.) .Sec. IV., Ch. III. SCHOOL-ROOM. 147 CHAPTER III. — School-room and Suite. Defined. — Complete Suite described. — Position, &c. ; Light. — Conversion into Bedchamber Suite. — The case of boys. This is the name given to the apartment which is appropriated to two or three children withdrawn from the Nursery and placed under the care of a governess. In ordinary cases it will be not merely the Study, but also the Day-room of the pupils, and in some degree the Sitting-room of the governess. A complete School-room Suite consists of the School-room itself, a Governess’s-room adjoining, a private entrance-lobby if pos- sible, a Washing-closet, &c., and perhaps a book-closet as better than a press in the School-room. (See Plate XXXYI.) The position ought properly to be within easy reach of the lady of the house ; in other respects a place amongst the Bed- rooms will almost always be appropriate. The Nurseries need not be further off than may be otherwise necessary. The same Staircase may serve for both departments. The School-room, however, ought not to be above the First Floor if possible ; if a position on the Ground Floor can be had (as lately suggested for the Day Nursery), so much the better, although that is seldom to be hoped for. The Governess’s-room, if not ad- joining, ought to be as near as possible: and the Bedrooms of the young ladies also ought to be not too far removed from the Governess’s-room. The character of the School-room itself ought to be especially cheerful and comfortable. The light ought to be abundant, for various educational reasons. A complete Suite of the kind above indicated is obviously convertible into a Bedchamber- Suite when not in use, the Bed- room, Dressing-room, private lobby, &c., being exactly as they ought to be. (See Plate XXXYI.) The requirements for boys at home under a tutor would be parallel to those which have been described ; so that no separate discussion of the case is needed ; but as it is so little the custom now to keep boys at home in this way, we may consider it quite unnecessary to provide formally for them. All we can say is that some of the spare Bedrooms would have to be made available if required, or an Odd-room (Plate XXXY.) provided on the principles set forth in a former chapter ( Day-rooms , Chapter XY .), and used for this purpose incidentally. 148 THE SUPPLEMENT ARIES. Pt. II., Div. I. SECTION Y. THE SUPPLEMENT ARIES. CHAPTER I. — Cloak-room. Its purpose described as a retiring-room. — Position, size, and furnishings. — Billiard* room for occasional use as such. — Ladies’ Cloak-room. — Illustrations passim. A Cloak-room in the sense here referred to is a Retiring-room for gentlemen. When the Entrance-Hall is a large one, no further accommodation is generally required merely for hats and cloaks : when, on the other hand, the Hall is only a Vesti- bule (Plate XX.), this apartment in question becomes de- sirable as a Cloak-room in the more literal meaning of the term. In both cases alike, however, the Retiring-room, must be con- sidered essential to a good house ; and therefore we make it a maxim that in the one form or the other this Cloak-room ought always to be provided. (See Plates XVI., XXV., XXIX., XXXV., XXXVII., XXXVIII., XLI.) As regards its position , some remarks may be made. It is not altogether advisable that it should open from within the limits of any Central-Hall or interior Corridor, but rather from an Entrance-Hall beyond those limits. If there be, in addition to this Hall, an enclosed Porch, the connexion ought still to be with the Hall. But if there be no proper Entrance-Hall, but a Porch or Vestibule alone, as the approach to the Corridor or Staircase within, then the Cloak-room must be connected with either Corridor or Porch, as may be most convenient. In short, the object will be to place it, not within the line of the Family Thoroughfares, if possible, but not too much beyond that line. The furnishings of a proper Cloak-room are nothing but hat and cloak-stands and a table ; and it leads to a Lavatory within (see next Chapter). Its dimensions must simply be governed by the scale of hospitality which has to be provided for. A Cloak- room, however, in very simple form, may have a washstand in one corner, and thus require no other Lavatory. Sec. V., Ch. II. CLOAK-ROOM. 149 For the sake of accommodating large parties of visitors where there is no spacious Hall, it may be convenient in some houses to consider the position of the Billiard-room with reference to its being made use of as an occasional Cloak-room ; but generally there is no difficulty whatever here. (Plates XXI., XXII., XXXIV.) Where receptions on the largest scale are to be given, it becomes necessary to provide Cloak-rooms to correspond with the circumstances, and this we shall speak of in dealing with the class of State-Rooms ; but it may be sometimes thought desirable, although rarely, to provide in less important cases two Cloak-rooms, for ladies and gentlemen respectively. (See Plate XXXII.) The Cloak-room which we have already described being con- trived for gentlemen only, it may be pointed out that one for ladies will differ from this. First, as to situation, it is not uncommon to place the two apartments face to face on opposite sides of the Entrance-Hall ; but this is an error, as respects both good taste and convenience. The Ladies’ Cloak-room ought to open from within the family boundary, as certainly as the other ought to open from without it. (The example in Plate XXXII. would thus be in error.) It is perhaps the best plan after all, in any ordinary case, to let some of the Sleeping-rooms be taken for Ladies’ Dressing-rooms when required. CHAPTER II. — Lavatory, etc. Within Cloak-room. — Furnishings and Situation. The only form in which provision of this kind requires to be made in the Family Department of the house is as a small Dressing-room for gentlemen within the Cloak-room just de- scribed, or constituted by the Cloak-room itself; and then it is of great convenience. A Water-closet within this Dressing-room is further to be recommended in probably every possible case. (See the Plates mentioned in last Chapter.) In a house on the most moderate scale, a roomy Closet, if no more, with a wash- basin in one corner, ought, if possible, to be provided near the Entrance. A Dressing-room, however, of proper dimensions. 150 THE SUPPLEMENTARIES. Pt. II., Div. I. will be sufficient to accommodate generally two wash-basins in a marble slab, with enclosure under, a side-table, chairs, and perhaps a fireplace. The reason for haying these conveniences connected with the Entrance is that they are provided in a great measure* for the use of gentlemen visitors, who can always find their way to the Entrance-Hall, if nowhere else. CHAPTER III. — Bath-room. Described in various forms. — Whether one or more. — Water supply, &c. &c. No house of any pretensions will be devoid of a general Bath- room ; and in a large house there must be several of these. The size of the apartment is simply to be large enough to contain a reclining-bath and a fireplace, with perhaps a shower-bath either separate or over the other, and sufficient space for dressing. The tight may either be by window or by skylight. Ventilation ought to be well considered, chiefly that there may be an escape for steam, either by the window or otherwise. If a separate Dressing-room be directly attached, there ought to be a fireplace in this, rather than in the Bath-room. In the case of a private Bath-room , or merely an adjunct to a private Dressing- room, the case will be similar. In either case smaller dimensions than otherwise will obviously be sufficient for the Bath-room alone ; but the door of intercommunication ought, for the sake of warmth, to face the fireplace as nearly as may be. In the case of a Bath-room as an appendage to a Bedroom-Suite (see Family Bedchamber- Suite, $c.), if it be attached to the Lady’s Dressing-room, it must not be considered as pertaining to this alone, but must be provided with another door to the private Lobby for the gentleman’s use. It ought moreover to be of full size in such circumstances, and to contain a fireplace. If however it be attached to the Bedroom only, which is the usual plan, it may be smaller in size, without a fireplace, and even devoid of an outer door. If the house has but one Bath-room, it will be best placed in a retired position amongst the Bedrooms, and not too far off the Principal Staircase : if there be two , one will be especially Sec. V., Ch. III. BATH-ROOM. 151 appropriated to eacli sex, and placed accordingly, that is to say, the one for gentlemen somewhere near the Staircase, and that for ladies more retired, or one on one story and one on another. In an establishment of importance, a Servants' Bath-room also ought to be provided in their department ; and in a very large Mansion one for each sex is necessary. They will be in con- nexion with the Servants’ Sleeping-rooms. If there be sufficient hot-water apparatus in the house, the Bath-rooms ought to be placed with special reference to a supply; if there be none, there are various contrivances for obtaining a supply from a fireplace-boiler in the room itself, and otherwise. Cold water of course must be supplied, and a waste- pipe laid to the drain. A good Bath-room will always possess a wash-basin ; but if there be a Dressing-room, it will of course be rather placed there. A Water-closet also ought to be in conjunction if possible ; or the plan of putting a seat in the Bath-room itself may perhaps generally be adopted. CHAPTER IY. — Plunge-bath, etc. If required. — Swimming-bath, description and directions. — Plunge-bath, ditto. It is very rarely that this is expected to be found in a private Residence ; and when it is to be met with it is perhaps gene- rally in the form of a separate building in the Grounds, as a Swimming-bath. But there seems to be no good reason why on a smaller scale it should not be more frequently provided as a Plunge-bath only. A Swimming-bath may be of any dimensions exceeding about 20 feet by 10 as a minimum, with a platform about 3 feet wide or more along one side at least. On so small a scale the depth of water would require to be capable of regulation to suit the bather. On a larger scale the depth would be made to vary, by means of sloping the bottom, from about 3J feet at one end, to perhaps 5 feet at the other. A Dressing-room ought to be attached, with a fireplace. The sunshine ought to be admitted, either by ceiling-lights or elevated windows. If warm water is to be supplied (which must be the case if it is to be much used), this must be provided for ; and if advantage be taken of any 152 THE SUPPLEMENTAKIES. Pt. II., Div. I. Conservatory apparatus, or the like, the situation of the Bath must be, of course, determined accordingly. The Bath itself will be formed of ordinary brick walls and paving, lined with cement, asplialte, enamelled slate, or tiles. The colour best adapted for the bottom, to give clearness to the water, is said to be a rough granite of red, black, and white. An ordinary Plunge-bath will be 5 or 6 feet square, and of depth not to exceed 5 feet ; with a platform on one side about 3 feet wide, and perhaps a Pressing-room attached. It may be placed at any convenient spot in connexion with the Ground- Floor of the Main House, either attached to an ordinary Bath- room or by itself. CHAPTER V.— Water-closets. Notes thereon generally collected in this chapter. — Axioms. — Distribution. — Situation. — Construction and dimensions. — Interior closets and well -holes. — Ventilation in difficult circumstances. It seems convenient to collect in one chapter like this all that has to be said respecting these important sanitary appliances ; and accordingly, the occasional references to them throughout the work are comparatively infrequent. The primary considerations to be kept in view with respect to them are these : — that there shall be a sufficient number ; that they shall be properly distributed ; that they shall be thoroughly ventilated and directly lighted from the open air ; that they shall be placed in situations that are private ; that the supply of water shall be ready and abundant ; and that the means of drainage shall be efficient, and so disposed as to have always a short and direct route out of the building, The rules for number and distribution are these. In the smallest house there will be one for the servants, separate from that for the family. As the next advance, there may be pro- vided an extra one for the Bedchambers upstairs, the ordinary one being on the Ground Floor. The one on the Upper Floor will then come to be considered as appropriated to ladies. In the country an additional one is often provided in the Garden for gentlemen. The Cloak-room will have one attached to its Lavatory ; if on a large scale, it may have two. When there is Sec. V., Ch. V. WATER-CLOSETS. 153 no other already provided in such a position as to be available for the purpose (as in the Cloak-room), there ought to be a special one so placed as to be readily accessible from the Dining- room. It is sometimes thought proper that the Billiard-room, if quite removed from the main house, should have one ; so also with the Smoking-room ; so also with the Library, if extensive, and used for study. One may also have to be provided in connexion with the Business-room and its adjuncts. In large establishments there will necessarily be several for the servants ; chiefly in groups externally, for the sexes separately ; but an odd one also here and there in connexion with outlying departments. Amongst the Bedchambers again, when these are numerous, there must be a sufficient number properly distributed, for the family, guests, and servants separately, as obvious propriety will suggest. A suite of Nurseries must also be specially supplied; as also a School-room. Lastly, when the architect is arranging those private Bedchamber-Suites which have been described, each Suite ought to have one as an essential element of its own comfort; or the two Dressing-rooms of the same Suite may have one each. It is a common plan to make a Bath-room contain a seat ; but in any superior case there ought to be rather an attached Closet. There are also, it may be remarked, in particular houses, special circumstances in which the designer will readily perceive the advantage of having one more rather than less of these conveniences, — easily to be overlooked, by the bye, but not so easily to be afterwards supplied. Finally, it has to be kept in mind that in large houses they must be in pairs sometimes, — for instance, at the Cloak-room and amongst the Bedrooms. (See Plates XXXV. and XXXVI.) It is sometimes difficult to select positions for convenience which shall at the same time be suitable for privacy. The prin- ciples of English delicacy are npt easily satisfied ; no one would wish them, however, to be less fastidious. The Closets must of course be upon the chief Corridors, the Staircase, the Entrance-Hall, and other Thoroughfares ; but if the access be too direct, it is a serious error. For instance, small ante-lobbies are always useful. Out-of-doors the position must be carefully selected, so that neither the entrance nor the route thereto shall be overlooked from the windows. . The servants, also, are held to be entitled to precisely the same consideration as their superiors. It is a maxim so to place the Closets that they shall be col- 154 THE SUPPLEMENTARIES. Pr. II., Div. r. lected together on as few points of the plan as possible. That every Water-closet should be placed towards an external wall is a rule which ought not to, be violated if possible. Care must be taken, also, as regards exterior appearance , that their position is not such as too much to provoke identification. As regards the enclosing partitions , let these be, if not of brick, of double quartering lined with felt. Double doors may some- times be required. The size of the Closet may be from 3 feet to 5 feet wide or more, and from 5 to 10 feet long, exclusive of any ante-lobby. The water-pipes must be so placed as to admit of easy examination ; and the soil-pipes also, and the traps at the foot, ought to be equally accessible : these are considerations of inte- rior plan. The system frequently adopted of having interior Water-closets lighted and ventilated by well-holes or long shafts carried up from the ceiling to the roof, through one or perhaps two intervening floors, is very much to be discouraged. Skylights at the top are absolutely necessary ; to keep these open in bad weather (the very time that air is most required) is practically impossible; and even when they are kept open, or when they are provided with ventilators, it cannot be a certainty that the draught shall not pass downwards and into the house instead of upwards and out of it.* * If any of our readers should have a water-closet which cannot he made to communicate directly with the open air, and is therefore (no unusual case) ventilated through a borrowed light into the Staircase or a passing Corridor, there is a remedy. Let the borrowed light be fixed, and supplied with double glass or double sashes, so as to he air- proof and sound-proof ; then carry a tube, about 4 inches in diameter or more. from the ceiling by some means or other to the open air, no matter at what dis- tance ; or into a chimney-flue ; the higher the outlet the better. If this should be not enough, there may be a second such tube added, so as to create circulation ; or air may be admitted by some means near the floor. If well managed, this ought to ensure ventilation, at least so far as it is possible in so desperate a case. Sec. VI., Ch. I. THE THOROUGHFARES. 155 SECTION VI. THE THOROUGHFARES. CHAPTER I. — General Remarks. These the skeleton of plan. — List of Family Thoroughfares. — Diverging lines of communication. — The same for Sleeping-rooms. — Test of a good arrange- ment. The Corridors and Passages of a house, as we have before said, are the Skeleton of its Plan ; because the relations of the rooms to each other are in fact the relation of their doors ; and accord- ingly, every one can call to mind instances where these Thorough- fares and this relation of doors are so contrived that one appears to understand their system instinctively, and others, on the con- trary, where one is always at a loss. The traffic of the establish- ment in the one case passes to and fro with smoothness and facility; in the other there is a constant awkwardness and complication. (See Plate XLV. and the Notes thereon in the Appendix.) The reason lies in the difference between a well- combined plan and one that is disjointed — between a good skeleton and a bad. If the system upon which the doorways are disposed be simple and compact, and the transit to and fro easy and direct, the whole plan is brought into practical har- mony ; and if the passages be involved and circuitous, the house is the habitation of confusion. The Family Thoroughfares — those of the Servants’ Depart- ment having to come before us in the sequel — are more or less the following, according to the size of the house ; namely, Porch, Entrance -Hall, Garden-Entrance, other Secondary-Entrances, Luggage-Entrance ; Gallery or Corridor, Central-Hall or Cortile ; Saloon, Ante-rooms, and Vestibules ; other Passages generally ; and lastly Staircases. The centre of the system of Thoroughfares will be that one upon which the Family Day-rooms are grouped ; namely, in certain cir- cumstances, either a Gallery or Corridor, or in others a Central- 156 THE THOROUGHFARES. Pt. II., Div. I. Hall, Saloon, Staircase-Hall, or Vestibule ; the first being of Me- dieval type — the development of the Passage — and so retaining its elongated form, and the second being of Classic type — the adaptation of the Cortile — and so retaining more or less the form of a square or its equivalent. (For illustration compare Plates XXI. and XXII., XXXIII. and XXXIV., and others.) From this apartment three 'primary lines of communication have to diverge, if not four ; namely, one to the exterior, as the line of entrance ; a second to the farther interior, being the Staircase usually, leading to the rooms above ; a third to the Servants’ Department ; and most commonly a fourth to the Garden. It is plain that the compact arrangement of these is frequently matter of great skill; especially when we bear in mind the infinite variety of considerations affecting the Rooms which have to be provided for, and the consequent complexity in many instances of the Thoroughfares themselves. The landing of the Staircase in common cases, or whatever equivalent feature may take its place in more complicated plans, becomes a secondary centre for the Sleeping-rooms. From this point also, according to the size of the house, several lines of thoroughfare have to be more or less established; namely, one to the principal Bedrooms, one to the inferior Bedrooms, perhaps one to the Nurseries, and one to connect with the Servants’ Department, — indeed, sometimes more. Although these lines are comparatively of less importance than those before men- tioned, they must not by any means be treated carelessly, as they too frequently are. A well-arranged plan, whether on a large or a small scale, may first be recognised by its exhibiting the whole system of Tho- roughfares in a form which may be said to bear upon the face of it the character of simplicity. It is often well worth while, for the obtain ment of this result, to make a drawing which shall represent the Thoroughfares specially, with their doors and windows, and nothing more ; whereby the eye is not distracted by the arrange- ment of the Rooms. (See Plate XLV.) By this means many a defective point may be permitted to force itself upon the attention which otherwise would be only discovered when beyond remeed. The self-evident principles of design are not difficult of applica- tion. Directness and shortness of route ; readiness of intercommu- nication between the Thoroughfares themselves where desirable, and the reverse where not so ; a plain distinctness and promi- Sec. VI., Ch. II. ENTRANCE-PORCH. 157 nence for the chief lines of traffic, and a certain unmistakableness for the chief doorways ; these are instances in point. That every part should be sufficiently lighted and ventilated is a universal rule ; that spaciousness, loftiness, and cheerfulness should have the benefit of any doubt is equally so. That a little artistic and decorative pretension is often allowable in Thoroughfares more than in Rooms has already been explained. (See Section I., — the Chapter on Importance.) Unpleasant prospect, also, as a thing to be avoided, is worthy of more attention than is often accorded to it. CHAPTER II. — Entrance-Porch. Defined and described ; both open and enclosed. — Correction of aspect, &c. — Carriage-Porch. — Door-mat, &c. — Porch steps. — Illustrations passim. The purpose of a Porch we may define to be in various forms the shelter of an Entrance ; and it is common to both Classic and Mediaeval plan. To prevent the draught of external air from entering the house by the door when opened, we construct a Porch : or we do the same to counteract the effect of an aspect which faces severe winds : or we provide a covering from the rain for a person standing without ; or a shelter for a carriage at the door: and on the same principle, whatever description of outer apartment of comparatively small size may be interposed between the Entrance-Hall or its equivalent and the external door, it is a Porch. The dimensions of an Open Porch will necessarily vary ac- cording to the character of the house. For mere shelter from the rain, little more is required than a few square feet of roof- covering, in any form which may be considered most appro- priate, — a canopy on brackets or posts, a Portico projecting or recessed, a small Verandah, and so on. (See Plates XVI. and XXXVII.) For an j Enclosed Porch the dimensions are regu- lated only by the consideration of what space is required for the convenient opening of the outer and inner doors ; beyond which the size may be amplified, if desired, according to taste. It is not necessarily placed beyond the main wall of the house, but 158 THE THOROUGHFARES. Pt. II., Div. I. X N. W. Entrance. may be a small compartment within. (Various forms appear in Plates XVI., XX., XXV., XXVII., XXX., &c. &c.) The Furniture for an Enclosed Porch, if any, consists properly of nothing more than benches at the walls for servants waiting ; when more than this is introduced, the apartment is no longer a Porch, but an Entrance-Hall; and this principle ought to be kept in view by the architect as regards his motives of plan, so as to prevent that uncertainty which not unfrequently occurs when the occupier comes to deal with the question in furnishing. An Entrance-Hall, again, is strictly an apartment within the house ; whilst a Porch is a vestibule without, for entrance only. One important point with respect to a Porch is that which arises when the Entrance requires a corrected aspect. The South- west quarter, for example, is so open to driving rains that an Entrance, if directly exposed to that aspect, may have to be not merely sheltered, but protected ; and accordingly it may be advisable, if it can be done, to form a projecting Porch, and enter at one or both sides of this rather than in front, — North-west that is to say, or better still South-east, or both. (See the first sketch in the margin.) The North-east aspect also is one which may be advantageously dealt with in a similar way by making the door South- east. The North-west aspect for a Porch is in this respect unfortunate ; inasmuch as the front direction is exposed to a blustering quarter, and the sides, North-east and South-west, to the same. (See the second sketch.) South, and South-east, and a little further East, are of course the best aspects for the Entrance ; but this quarter is not often available, seeing that it is so much in request for the Dwelling- rooms, from which the Entrance ought to be separated. The only resource we have, there- fore, as a rule, is to keep the Entrance any- where in the sunshine if possible ; and if not, in sight of sunshine ; and to meet any extreme diffi- culty of aspect as above set forth in the best way that offers ; bearing in mind that, although a comfortable Entrance is a great luxury, excessive fastidiousness about it may cost too much in other convenience. S. E. Entrance. S.W. Door. X N". E. s. w. N. W. Door. Sec. VI., Ch. II. ENTKANCE-PORCH. 159 A Carriage-Porch is so contrived that the approach shall pass under a Portico or vaulted tower or whatever else, with sufficient width for a carriage to be driven through. To avoid the appear- ance of difficulty, the dimensions clear within the sides and top of the openings ought to be at least ten feet of width and twelve feet of height. At the best, however, such a Porch, as generally executed, although convenient for carriages in bad weather, is always inconvenient for persons on foot, besides being some- what gloomy; (see Plates XVII., XVIII., XXVIII., XXX., XXXIII., XXXIV., XLIV. ;) and, to be as one would wish for the convenience of all and at all times, it ought to have first a good ceiling-light, and secondly an aisle at the side of the car- riage-way (Plate XXXV.) next the house ; sometimes also a similar aisle outwards, so that pedestrians might enter and car- riages set down in front in fine weather. As matters of detail of no inconsiderable importance in prac- tice, let provision be specially made at the back of the Entrance- door for a mat which shall not be in the way ; and take care that the foot-scrapers, &c., are at the bottom of a flight of steps rather than the top. It is usual to form a sunk panel in the floor for the mat ; but so much of the success of this contrivance depends upon the thickness of the mat being precisely as intended, that the more old-fashioned plan of raising the door-threshold two inches above the floor-level is generally preferable. If any considerable ascent has to be made from the ground to the floor-level, it is worthy of consideration whether the steps shall be external or internal. As a rule, an external flight of steps, although sometimes conveying an effect of importance, is always in one way or another inconvenient ; whereas, if space will admit of it, the same flight internally may probably have a greater degree of importance, and without involving any incon- venience. (Compare for instance Plates XXVII. and XXXIII. : also Plates XII. and XIII.) 160 THE THOROUGHFARES. Ft. II., Div. I. CH APTE R III. — Entrance-hall. In various forms. — Distinctions of style. — Relative merits of Classic and Medi- aeval models. — Adaptability of the authentic Tudor arrangement. — Warming. — Porter’s-room and Servants’ Waiting-room. — Cloak-room. — Furniture, &c. — Ceiling-light. — Porch-Hall and double doors. — Illustrations passim. The Entrance-Hall is an apartment of so many characteristic varieties that it may almost be taken as a criterion of the class to which the house belongs. In a case of the least ambitious order it will be' no more than a sufficiently wide passage from the Entrance-door to the Staircase, being also all that the house possesses for a Corridor to the principal rooms; whereas in a first-class Mansion it will be a spacious and perhaps stately apartment interposed between the Porch and the Gallery or Cortile, decorated with paintings and statuary, ancestral armour, and the trophies of the chase. In our historical chapters and others it has been pointed out incidentally that there are two different principles which in cases of any importance govern the arrangement of an Entrance-Hall especially, as matter of style, involving the distinction between Italian and Mediaeval design. Our illustrative plans generally may be referred to as exemplifying both modes in up any forms ; in the mean time Plates XVII. and XVIII. may be compared, XXI. and XXII., XXVI. and XXVII., XXXIII. and XXXV. In the one class of cases it is essential that the route of entrance should be central and direct, leading from the outer doorway straight forward through symmetrical Thoroughfares, to ter- minate at some such point as one of the chief doors, or perhaps the ascent of the Staircase. The other mode appears to take its character from an avoidance of such directness and symmetry : it places the outward doorway at one corner, for instance, and the inward doorway at another, and not even opposite ; the latter also will perhaps enter the Corridor or Gallery in an equally irregular way ; and in like manner the room-doors and the Stair- case are placed more or less irregularly. The distinction, there- fore, is one of fundamental principle. The stately and sym- metrical arrangement, as we know, is Classic ; the other, based on random convenience, and sometimes on a desire for piquant effect, is Gothic. As to their comparative merits apart from Sec. VI., Ch. III. ENTRANCE-HALL. 161 style, the principle of criticism involved appears to be this: it may not be desirable to sacrifice convenience for mere symmetry, yet if irregularity be carried into affectation this is even still more decidedly an error against good taste. Accordingly, if the view we have taken of the mind of Englishmen be correct, — namely, that state is to be avoided in the Family-rooms, but moderately encouraged in the Thoroughfares, it is probable that the symmetrical system, if not pushed to an extreme, will be in many cases intelligently approved, and so far the Classic model preferred. At the same time, that there is a tangible charm in the other system is proved by abundant evidences of approba- tion, equally intelligent and ardent ; so that it may be said, on the authority of the Mediaeval model, that the very absence of stateliness, as an element of value, is in numerous instances allowed to preponderate here no less than in the rooms. How far both characteristics may be combined is shown in many instances by our Plates, as in Nos. XXIX., XXX., XXXII., XXXIV., and XXXV. As regards artistic character , the Entrance-Hall of Classic style may be planned of whatever form may be otherwise desirable, provided it be only symmetrical ; (see Plates XVI., XIX., XXI., XXVI., XXVIII., and others;) but in anything like the Mediaeval manner there seems to be no reason why the old Gothic Hall should not be kept strictly in view, this Entrance- Hall being all that has been left in its stead for three centuries back. (See Historical Sketch, Sixteenth Century .) For mere utility, the very features of the Tudor Hall can scarcely be improved upon. We have the Porch-entrance towards one end, the Bay-window towards the other; the latter marking the quarter of the Family-rooms, the former that of the Offices. (Plates XVI., XXII., XXXV.; especially the first.) The Screen of old custom may also be most usefully introduced ; and, if it reasonably combines with other arrangements, the Dais itself might be elevated a few steps to reach the level of the rooms beyond. There is no reason either why the ancient Minstrels’-Gallery over the Screens should not be introduced as a passage across at the Chamber-Floor level ; and of course there is no reason why the Hall should not be two stories high. Without recommending anything like mere archaeological au- thenticity, one may certainly say that such a Hall might be 162 THE THOROUGHFARES. Pt. II., Div. I. made, in suitable circumstances, at once perfectly convenient and eminently characteristic. A spacious Fireplace in a spacious Entrance-Hall, rather than any liot-water-table or other such more artificial apparatus, is perhaps always to be recommended ; but the rule is a good one too often neglected that one or the other ought to be provided in whatever case, for few things have a less hospitable effect in winter than the chill of an Entrance that has never known warming. A small Porter' s-room is in some superior cases required in connection with the Entrance-Hall, adjoining the outer door. (Plate XXVI.) This may also serve as a Servants Waiting- room. (Plates VIII. and XXI.) The Cloak-room , with its Lavatory &c. within, may also most properly open out of the Entrance-Hall. (See Cloak-room.) The Furniture of an Entrance-Hall consists, according to its size, of one or more tables at the wall, some chairs and benches, perhaps the usual stands (or perhaps not) for hats, cloaks, and umbrellas, and some minor matters. Pictures are introduced, and in superior cases trophies of hunting and tradition ; statuary also is occasionally applicable, as for instance in the form of portrait busts. Here also seems to be the most eligible place for art-work in carvings, stained glass, parquetry flooring, and other characteristic decorations. The billiard-table has been sometimes placed here, but not advantageously either for the purposes of play or for the proper purposes of the apartment. In a large Entrance-Hall, however, a stately centre-table some- times becomes a desirable feature. Antique furniture , by the bye, is peculiarly suitable here, — much more so than in any other part of the house ; indeed in examples of the most cha- racteristic Classicism there seems to be recognised a certain appropriateness in even mediaeval relics, and certainly in any- thing of traditional interest, as such, of whatever style. It may be noticed in conclusion that, although there may be occasionally a convenience in lighting an Entrance-Hall from the ceiling , this is not to be encouraged. As such an apartment is always very much of a Waiting-room, the value of a common wall-window for look-out must not be forgotten. In many smaller houses the uses of Porch and Entrance-Hall are combined in a single moderate-sized apartment, perhaps Sec. VI., Ch. IV. GARDEN-ENTRANCE. 163 10 or 12 feet square, or larger, having on the outer wall the entrance-door, and opposite thereto a pair of glazed doors leading into the house. Here we may recom- mend double doors at the entrance, — namely, a close door externally for the night, folding away in two leaves against the sides, and exposing a pair of glass doors within for the day : with this arrangement the Entrance-Hall is made very service- able and simple, if large enough ; and the recessed doorway forms a Porch, which is quite enough for its purpose of shelter provided the aspect be favourable. Double Entrance Doors. CHAPTER IY. — Garden-Entrance. Described in several forms. — Not to be in connection with any Servants’ Passage, &c. &c. This is a feature which is not always introduced, even in a Country-house ; but, wdien properly disposed, it places at a serious disadvantage every form of that inconvenient substitute (even in the old Palladian Saloons) a sash-door in a room. Several cases occur in our illustrations, as for instance in Plates XV., XVII., XXVI., XXX., XXXII., XXXIII., XXXV., XLL, and others. Its purpose is to provide a means of communication with the Garden which shall serve for the whole of the rooms of the Family Department as a group. There may be a Lobby, or a species of Ante-room, or a Conservatory ; or there may be a doorway in the Staircase or Saloon, either with or without a Porch attached in whichever case ; all that must be prohibited is its being so placed as to make of any Dwelling-room a Thoroughfare. In position, it may be central in exterior or interior effect ; thus forming a prominent point of symmetrical plan ; or it may be accidentally situated so as to be retired and unconspicuous. The latter notion is Mediaeval in style; the former Classical. To combine it in any way with a Servants’ Passage is so obviously unadvisable that one is disposed to wonder how this 161 THE THOROUGHFARES. I’t. II., Div. I. occurs so often. To place in juxtaposition with it, as is some- times done, a Store-room, Bath-room, or Water-closet, is still more an error. As a principle, the Garden-door ought to be a spot where a family group may collect at any time, as being entirely its own ground. For the case of a Saloon-Entrance see the chapter on Saloon,