Читать книгу The Englishman's House: A Practical Guide for Selecting and Building a House онлайн

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In our modern Grecian architecture large cornices are repeated, with windows ranged perfectly in the same line, and these lines often more strongly marked by a horizontal fascia. There are few breaks of any great depth; and if there be a portico, the shadow made by the columns is very trifling compared with that broad horizontal shadow proceeding from the soffit (that is, the under side of the heads of apertures, architraves, and the corona of cornices). The only ornament its roof will admit, is either a flat pediment departing very little from the horizontal, or a dome still rising from a horizontal base.

But in these remarks attention is chiefly drawn to the general architectural effects of style, independent of concomitant circumstances. Yet it is hardly necessary to do more than call on the experience of any man of taste to show that position, adjacent scenery, and other “accidental” or “incidental” matters will modify the special effect of any style in regard to the picturesque, and also those of a general character. A Gothic erection in a confined situation will lose most of its beauties, while one of a Grecian character may be especially suitable. In choosing, therefore, any design for the erection of a new building, or alterations in one already in existence, respect should be had to the natural character of the surrounding country, the aspects in regard to the sun and prevalent winds, the extent of the estate or grounds on which the building is to be erected, the views from the various apartments, the character of wood, plain, or other adjacent tree-scenery, and last, but of equal or greater importance, questions in reference to domestic comfort and convenience, drainage and dry soil, supply of water, and a variety of details, most of which will at once suggest themselves. In many cases the choice of site is necessarily fixed by previous purchase or inheritance of the land, yet in such cases chances are left for a judicious selection in regard to some of the conditions above mentioned. But when the purchase has to be effected, all the conditions should be kept in mind, and, if possible, completely satisfied. Such details should form the subject of minute inquiry, and they are here only named for the purpose of showing how the choice of the best style, in regard either to general beauty or picturesque effect, should be decided on with mature attention to all the circumstances of the case.