Chapter I: Preface

These letters between the architect and his friends are composed of hints and suggestions relating to the building of homes. Their aim is to give practical information to those about to build, and to strengthen the growing demand for better and truer work.

Even those who are not yet ready to build for themselves are seldom without an instinctive longing to do so at some future time, and a lively concern in the present achievements of their friends and neighbors, in this direction. Such will, I trust, find something interesting and instructive in these pages, and be moved thereby to a more cordial hatred of whatever is false and useless, and love for the simple and true.

E.C.G.

SPRINGFIELD, March, 1874.

CONTENTS.

LETTER

I. EVERY MAN SHOULD HAVE A HOME

II. A GRATEFUL CLIENT

III. THE BEAUTY OF TRUTH AND UTILITY

IV. PROFESSIONAL FOLLY

V. BUILDING-SITES AND FOUNDATION-WALLS

VI. GRAVEL-BANKS AND QUAGMIRES

VII. NATURE'S BRICKS ARE BETTER THAN OURS

VIII. THERE IS A SOFT SIDE EVEN TO A STONE WALL

IX. A BROAD HOUSE IS BETTER THAN A HIGH ONE

X. TROUT BROOKS ARE BETTER THAN STREET SEWERS

XI. THE STRENGTH AND DURABILITY OF BRICK

XII. THE WEAKNESS AND SHAM OF BRICKWORK

XIII. SKILL DIGNIFIES THE MOST HUMBLE MATERIAL

XIV. EVERY MAN TO HIS TRADE

XV. THE COMING HOUSE WILL BE FAIR TO SEE AND MADE OF BRICK

XVI. DOMESTIC DISCIPLINE

XVII. GOOD TASTE IS NOT A FOE BUT A FRIEND TO ECONOMY

XVIII. OUR PICTURESQUE ANCESTORS

XIX. THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF WOOD

XX. A SURRENDER AND CHANGE OF BASE

XXI. HOSPITALITY AND SUNLIGHT

XXII. UNPROFESSIONAL SAGACITY

XXIII. STAIRWAYS AND OUTLOOKS

XXIV. IN A MULTITUDE OF COUNSELLORS IS SAFETY

XXV. DOORS AND SLIDING-DOORS, WINDOWS AND BAY-WINDOWS

XXVI. EXPERIENCE KEEPS A DEAR SCHOOL

XXVII. FASHION AND ORNAMENT, HARD WOOD AND PAINT

XXVIII. THOUGHT PROVOKES INQUIRY

XXIX. CONSISTENCY, COMFORT, AND CARPETS

XXX. AUTOBIOGRAPHY AND ARCHITECTURE, POTATOES AND POSTSCRIPTS

XXXI. DOMESTIC-SERVICE REFORM

XXXII. GO TO; LET US BUILD A TOWER

XXXIII. BASEMENTS AND BALCONIES

XXXIV. FOUR ROOMS ENOUGH

XXXV. CONVENIENCES AND CONJECTURES

XXXVI. THE LESSON OF THE ICE-HOUSE

XXXVII. SHINGLES, SUNSHINE, AND FRESH AIR

XXXVIII. WHERE THE DOCTORS DIFFER

XXXIX. HOW TO DO IT

XL. THE BREATH OF LIFE

XLI. ETERNAL VIGILANCE

LII. SAVED BY CONSCIENCE

XLIII. FINAL AND PERSONAL

BY WAY OF APPENDIX

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

MR. ARCHITECT

MR. AND MRS. JOHN

ROUGH STRENGTH AND SMOOTH-FACED WEAKNESS

ON A SIDEHILL

ONLY ONE CORNER

STONE BODY WITH BRICK MEMBERS

BREADTH AND HEIGHT

SECOND STORY OF WOOD

COTTAGE CORNICES

SQUARE HEADS WITH BRICK CAPS

FRAGMENTS OF BRICKWORK

BRICKS THAT ARE NOT SQUARE

"PICTURESQUE AMERICA"

A WISE GENERAL

"THE GROVES WERE GOD'S FIRST TEMPLES"

OUTER FINISH OF WOOD

"THE OLD HOUSE AT HOME"

FORTY-TWO FEET SQUARE

"LOOK OUT, NOT IN"

DUST TO DUST

WOOL AND WOOD

WOODWORK ON PLASTERED WALLS

"SISTER JANE, SPINSTER"

SISTER JANE'S KITCHEN

WHAT THE BASEMENT ADDS

OUTLOOK FROM THE ROOF

THE OLD, OLD STORY

SHINGLING

GOOD OLD TIMES

BRICK FIREPLACE

HOMES,

AND HOW TO MAKE THEM,

OR

_HINTS ON LOCATING AND BUILDING A HOUSE_.

IN LETTERS BETWEEN AN ARCHITECT AND A FAMILY MAN SEEKING A HOME.