Modern Dwellings, Part I.

structures of that time. Like its prototype, it is built of brick at least to the second story, where the tile-hanging and half-timber work begins. As tiles, however, are difficult to obtain in this country, shingles of equal width and cut to a pattern may be substituted. If these are of good quality, neatly shaved and jointed, they require no paint, dipping them in oil being sufficient to preserve and give them a deep warm color. These might terminate on a moulded cornice, with dentals underneath projecting about six inches from the brick wall the furring being arranged so that the shingles may curve outward. There might be a similar cornice and curve at the foot of the main gable and at the head of the gable window. The roof; of course, should be of slate; but it is better not to repeat this material on the walls, for even if a different color be used, a hard, rigid appearance is sure to be the result. The half-timbering of the library gable may be treated as follows: The principal uprights can be solid, the intervals filled in with brick, and then covered with a coating of cement. There is a difficulty here, however, for unless the timbers are thoroughly seasoned, they are liable to shrink away from the brick-work, leaving openings for the admission of cold. Another method is to have the squares lathed in the ordinary manner, and then stuccoed. In this case there should be a sinkage in the side of the timbering, on the principle of a tongue and groove, which the cement will enter, so that in case of shrinkage the joint will not be exposed. In order the farther to prevent dampness, it would be well to have the sill or bottom rail rabbeted, as in the case of a groove here the water is apt to lodge, and thereby hasten decay.

So far as tightness is concerned, I think the better way is to carry the brick walls up to the eaves of the second story. A series of planking in lieu of half-timbering is then secured to the walls, and the bricks between are covered with stucco. Still another way is to seal the walls with vertical boards, to which affix plank battens as above. The last two methods might be thought objectionable on the ground of imitating half-timbering, thus pretending to be what they are not, and so failing to preserve the truth, which, as we have before said, is one of the first principles of architecture. This appearance of sham, however, may be prevented by treating the planking on the principle of battens simply, without any attempt at imitation.

The ornaments represented in the panels should be stamped in the stucco while it is fresh, and then filled up with red or black mortar. If wood is used as a backing, these figures might be produced by scroll-sawing, or even stenciled in red or black outline. If cement is used, the cove under the projection may be of the same material.

The employment of different-colored slate on the roof is objectionable, especially as in this case it is sufficiently broken without being cut up into patterns. We think that red or purple slate appears the best; but all should be of uniform color.

In the accompanying vignette we have attempted to illustrate the library gable, showing the half-timbering and ornamental panels on a larger scale.

In this arrangement we have three rooms, a greenhouse, and a kitchen on the first story. As in designs Nos. 2 and 3, the rooms are placed opposite; allowing the breeze to circulate unobstructed through the living portion of the house. The veranda, being exposed to the morning sun, is protected by an awning, which, while affording ample shade, is at such an elevation as not to cut off the view. This awning, of course, can be raised when the sun has sufficiently retreated to leave the piazza in the shade. It is generally considered an advantage to have the veranda on the easterly side of the house, the afternoon being the time it is most in use.

It will be observed that the library and dining-room chimneys come in the corner of the rooms. There is often an advantage gained in such digressions from stereotyped customs, and they can be treated as agreeable and novel features; and, if thought advisable, the opposite corners may he made