Houma Ceres. [volume] (Houma, Parish of Terrebonne, La.) 1855-18??, 1856-07-05
Country Architecture.

Country Architecture.
Houses says Bacon. sare built to
live in. not to look at Were this truth
uppermost in the thoughts of every man
who builds house for himself or others,
our domestic architecture would be great.
" modified. 1t would certainly be more
comfortable. Can we doubt that it would
be better looking? The house which is
built ito look at is very apt to be in
convenient, and if so, it is just as surely
ugly; for, apart from actual and manifest
utility in dwelling-eouse, there can be
no such thing as beauty. Shelter from
sun and storm, protection against the
extremes of heat and cold, the due admis.
sion Of light and air, suitable rooms to live
and sleep in, receptacles for clothing,
utensils, food and fuel, conveniences for
cooking, washing, and oil other labors Of
the household, together with an ample and
convenient supply of good water, may be
set down as necessary requisites Of every
human dwelling. - Let there be at
least one room on the first floor, provided
with the means of warmth and ventilation,
which may be used as sleeping. room for
age and sickness. The stairs should
generally be central in position; they
should always be safe for children, and
broad and low for the sake Of the infirm
and the old. The size, form, and arrange.
ment Of halls and passages, have much to
do with both looks and comfort; and the
same may be said Of the position and
character of the chimneys and windows.
In placing the rooms which are most to
be used; regard should be had to their ex.
posture to sun and air at different seasons.
The most absurd mistake, are often made
for the want of this forethought. We
have seen large, expensive houses, whose
snug winter parlors looked out upon the
north star, and whose large. summer draw.
ing rooms in the southern corner, basked
all day in the sun. Porches, verandas,
window.canopies, ETC., if judiciously dis.
posed for use and not for show, will add
much to comfort"
"Among the Gothic cottages, so called,
which have sprung up among US in great
numbers Of late years, it is not unusual to
see one SO excessively Gothic as to look
like caricature. The roof is broken
and squeezed into many narrow gables,
and makes prodigious display Of pin.
nacles and verge boards. All ideas Of
convenience and use were evidently
secondary, if indeed they entered at all
into the designers thoughts. This is the
very reverse Of the spirit which inspired
the oldest and best Gothic, and which
must govern still, whenever it is employed
Alright. For the same reason it is evident
ly absurd to initiate in a country home,
either ecclesiastical or castellated archi.
lecture. We can hardly imagine anything
more funny than diminutive American
copy, executed in this nineteenth century,
from one of those stern old castles which
were not only proper, but necessary, in
the days Of Front de BneuE Scene.
~ and position must be taken into the &C.
count. Rustic features look we'll only in
the midst Of rural simplicity. Architec.
tural elegance should be reserved for cul.
tivated scenes. The Swiss style Of cottage
originated in the necessities of noun.
taincers. Among hills it shows to advan.
,age its overhanging roofs, its projecting
galleries and sturdy brackets. In 4 mo.
di6ed form it may be adapted 10 many Of
our rough hillsides. II one is about to
build where nature is wild and grand. be
will do wisely to avoid the regularity Of
shape, the precision and finish, which
look well in the village street. In what
degree will your house be conspicuous !
From what points will it be seen! What
prospects, near or remote, will it com.
mandl These are questions which. pro.
perly considered, must have more or less
influence on the character Of your de-.
sign."-Valage and Farm Cottages.
TIE FABLE OF THE TRuMPETER.-The
Boston Courier, in a well timed, well
written editorial on Senator Sumner and
Mr.. Brooks, the purport Of which is that
how much soever we may deprecate
violence and strife, Nj. Sumner has no
right to complain, either on the score Of
the nature Of the consequences Of his in
solent speech, or Of being taken by sur.
prise, compares the unenviable Senator
to the trumpeter in the fable. Fables are
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