The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1900-02-25
ENGLISH BUILDING IN 1877.
The Ola Days when Chimneys Were
y Rarity in England.


II may appear strange TO those who are
acquainted with only the present state of
English towns to be told that in the reign
Of Queen Elizabeth, William Harrison.
chaplain to William, Lord Gotham. in his
Description of England" prefixed to Hol-
linshed's Chronicles" stated that the
greater part of our building in the cities
and good towns of England consistent
onlie of timber, for as yet few of the
houses of the commonaltie Except here
and there in the west countrie townsl are
made of stone, although there may be. In
my opinion in diverse other places be
huilded so good cheape of the one as the
other" Here. we see, brick is not even
limited at: but when the writer comes to
speak of country mansions he mentions II
as recently introduced. The ancient
manours and houses of our gentlemen"
he says ARE yet. and for the most part.
of strong timber. in framing whereof our
carpenters have beene and are worthilie
preferred before those OF like sciensc
among all other nations. Howbeit, such
as be lately builded are commoniie either
of bricke or hard stone or both" There
are old men," he afterward adds. yet
dwelling in the village where l RENAME
which have noted three things to be mar
veiouslie altered In England within their
sound remembrance: and other three things,
too. too much increased. One Is the null
titude of chimnies lately erected. whereas
In their young dates there were not above
two or three, II so mamie. In most upland
ish townes of the realme tthe religious
houses and manour places of their lords
alwaies excepted. and peradventure some
great perscnsgesl. but each one had his
ere against reredosse IN the hal when he
dined and dressed his meat"
The second change was the great
amendment OF lodging" that Is. accom-
mediation and furniture for the nights
rest: the third, the exchange OF Nessell.
one of treene platters into pewter and
wooden spoonss into silver or tim" The
same writer says the architect. In two
places sets forth a very marked distinc-
ton between the dwellings IN the cham
paign and the woodland parts of the coun-
try. The houses in the first lie uni
formlie huilded in everie towae togither.
with streets and lanes. whereas in the
woodland countries Except here and there
In great market townes) they stand scat
tered abroad. each one dwelling In the
midst of his own occupietng." Again,
there was this important difference IN the
materials and style of construction: "In
the woddie soiles our houses are common
lie strong and well timbered. 80 that many
places there are not above foure. six or
nine inches between stud and stud: but
In the open and champaign countries they
are enforced, for want of stun. to use no
studs at all. but onlie frankeposts. rsisins.
besmes. pickposts. Eroundsels. summsrs
or dormants. transsorns or such principals.
with here and there a girding wnereupon
they fasten their splints or rAdeis, and
they cast II all over with thick clay 20
keep out the winde. which otherwise
would annois them" OF cottages built
IN this miserable fashion there arc many
specimens remaining In some of the mid
land counties. as well as tho memorable
cob walls of the west. aud of the ancient
timber manor houses OF post and pane"
many exist in Cheshire. Shropshire. Stat
ferdshire. etc.-Pan Mall Gazette.