Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1883-07-28
Houses at Home and Abroad.

From the American Architect
The Builder recently INDUCED in some reiec-
tiOns on the subject of carriage entrances, as
arranged in Partisan houses, which are quite
worthy Of attention. Very few OF our archi-
tects and still fewer persons Of other profess
sions. understand the value Of this feature in
giving dignity and Importance to an elevation
as well as plan, and as consequence many
opportunities for the display of architectural
magnifcence, which would be eagerly seized
and adroitly used by French architect. are In
this country thrown away. In fact, the whole
subject of dignifed domestic architecture needs
serious study among the profession here. The
increase Of wealth and expenditure has been SO
great that scores OF houses are now built every
year in New York, Boston, Philadelphia and
other cities which would so far as cost is con-
cerned, be classe6 in any other country as
palaces, just as their owners would rank among
princes to the extent that money and luxury can
give such distinctions but these structures. so far
from presenting any grandeur or statellneSS OF
aspect. generally have an air of inflated medic
Gritty, like hotel, rather than the appropriate
shelter of that complex organism of service and
responsibility which even here goes to make up
large establishment. With all our demo-
cratic ways, there is no need OF planning great
houses, as we often find them, in which hun
dreds of visitors and guests are entertained
every week, with exactly the same provisions
for receiving them that would be furnished in
the cottage OF a mill-Operative. with the differ
ence that everything in the mansion would be
on a larger scale. On the occasion of a recep-
ton or ball the friends of the owners of houses
Oil which millions Of dollars have been spent
are generally expected to land from their car
riages on the sidewalk, to be welcomed by q
gliding crowd of ruffians, restrained by one or
two policemen from pressing upon the dirty
little strip of carpet which leads up steep
flight Of steps to the scene of the festivities,
which proclaim themselves to the hearing and
sight Of all the passers-by, In manner quite
destructive to dignity.
Common as this disposition is to large houses
in London as we'll as in our own cities, We ina
CINE that there are few persons who cannot see
the advantage of the French plan, by which the
guests Of the house. instead Of landing O. the
sidewalk, are brought directly into the court
yard, where they are received. If not by their
hosts themselves. at least by their servants, in-
stead of dirty mob, and take their leave in the
same way. without fear Of annoyance from the
| rudeness of strangers. Such distinction as the
| carriage entrance and courtyard give are easily
obtained. even in house built with strict econ
omy in regard to the amount of ground covered;
but where the owner of the mansion can afford
the cost great increase Of dignity can be OBJ
| tanned in buildings placed entire couw ct jard.n,
the street front being formed by low structure,
| containing the rooms of the concierge and
other servants, with the carriage entrance
| in the center, flanked sometimes by two
| projecting wings of the main house, which are
| brought forward to the street. These, with the
| low structure on the street, enclose the court
yard, beyond which is the higher portion of the
| bnilding. containing the state entrance and the
| grand saloons, which extends across the whole
width of the lot; and behind this portion, whose
| facade gains greatly in distinction b. its
naughty withdrawal from the public thorough
fare, is the garden, which is entirely concealed
| from the view of any one except the inhabitants
of the house, and is often brought ptO very
close connection with this as sort U1bpen-aiI
parlor. Every architect can see the admirable
way in which this ARRANGEMENT lends itself to
stately and convenient distribution of rooms, a
well as to perfect light and ventilation. and
| although house so planned would not be
cheap. there are many people now who would
be both able and willing to pay for the advant-
| ages which it would possess. if they were once
| pointed out to them.