1869.] Descriptions. 4^7 charm, which can be obtained in an humble cottage, at a small expense, with just as much ease, as in a palatial man- sion, built at great expense. It may here be observed, that we are not now content, as we were only a few short years ago, with what furnished the bare necessaries of life ; but now demand, not only whatever conduces towards com- fort and convenience, but also whatever gratifies that innate love of the beautiful which is inherent in our very nature, and which can only be developed by culture and civilization. Hence it is owing to this feeling, that we see every where springing up around us, throughout the land, ornamental cottages, cottage vil- las, and rural residences, of more or less pretensions and extent. We are be- coming alive to the fact, that the stronger the associations of elegance and taste which we can gather around our homes, and the more they ai*e beautified and adorned, the more our social affections and local attachments become strength- ened, our comfort and happiness in- creased, and ourselves individually ren- dered better members of society at large. There can be little doubt, that for the particular class of buildings to which our illustration belongs — viz., Country Residences — the Gothic style of archi- tecture particularly recommends itself. Capable of great variety of outline, both in plan and elevation — and, as a resultant, bolder effects of light and shade — it is particularly well adapted for detached buildings. The roofs and chimneys, which in other styles, such as the Gre- cian, are studiously concealed from view, are here prominently made available, to add to the general picturesque ap- pearance. We have spoken of our illustration as a Cottage Villa ; it cannot well be called a Cottage ; although it is very difficult to draw the exact line defining what are Cottages, and what Cottage Villas. This, however, is evidently something more than a Cottage, not only because it has
