Chapter III: Part 3

common iron stove, but with a more artistic outline or figure than is generally seen; the section shows the construction. A moveable box is placed within the pedestal to receive the ashes; the smoke flue leaves at the back; the helmet opens to receive a cup of water; the section shows the construction. When the shield is open the fire is seen; this could be made partly open, so as to allow the fire to be wholly closed in.

* * * * *

The vignette is a portion of a French design for an iron balconet. In France these balconets are regarded as necessary protections at the window openings. In England they are used chiefly for holding flowers.

_DESIGN No. 13._

QUEEN’S GATE LODGE, HYDE PARK.

The formation of that new and important suburb of London, known as Queen’s Gate, South Kensington, resulted, as is well known, from the exertions of His Royal Highness the Prince Consort. It

promises soon to become the most fashionable and attractive portion of the Metropolis, as the land is engaged for the purpose of applying it to national objects connected with the Arts and Sciences, by the

Government. Consequently, with the beauty of the situation, this has led to the erection of a large number of first-class mansions of the value of from 20,000_l._ each to 3000_l._ (leaseholds.) The author of this work, at the time of the purchase by the Government, was surveyor to the principal estate in that locality--that of the late Charles, Earl of Harrington;

and an opening to Hyde Park, for the chief new road, being granted by Government, he had to submit designs for the new entrance lodge and gates to the Commissioner of Public Works. The first design he had made had previously been submitted to the Prince. It was on a large scale, an archway being placed in the centre, with gates and lodges on each side. But as the new entrance had to be made at the expense of the builders of the Harrington Estate, designs of a more modest character were chosen.

Lord Llanover, then Sir Benjamin Hall, was the Chief Commissioner of Public Works, and took great interest in the designs, repeatedly visiting the spot, and having various studies made; indeed the works were carried out under his supervision and direction.

The opening into Hyde Park was 140 feet in length; this was filled up by the gates and railings, a lodge being placed within the park.

The view shows the lodge as it was erected by Mr. Aldin, one of the building lessees of the Harrington estate; it cost him about 800_l._ The iron gates and railing were put up by Mr. W. Jackson, the chief building lessee on the same estate, at a cost which amounted to upwards of 2000_l._

The lodge contains two rooms on the ground floor the front room being 17 feet by 12 feet, the back room 13 feet by 11 feet. The basement has two rooms of the same size; with a small yard, a place for coals, and a dry area surrounding the whole. The plans are shown under the perspective view; the front and side elevations on page 128; the small portico has the centre columns without rusticated blocks, so that no square edges or projecting parts obstruct the entrance of persons into the lodge.

The section through the length of the building shows the two upper and the two lower rooms, with the sunk yard; it does not show clearly the section of the ground outside the building; the level of this is 18 inches below the floor of the upper rooms. The basement is completely buried, but as the small structure stood upon a mound and was protected by a dry area, this was of little consequence. The cross section next given shows the level of the outside ground correctly, with the two dry areas. Over this cross section are given two small details of the construction of the roof.

The building was of stone and brick, the ashlar front of the walls Bath stone, and the cornice of Portland--this was made so as to form the gutter.

The lodge has lately been taken down, and reconstructed on the opposite side of the entrance gate. So completely was this done that only one small block of stone was required to complete it, and this was only a replacement of one broken. The structure itself has been reproduced by the Government as a lodge opposite to the Exhibition Road. In the cut at page 127, is given a section through the portico and a section through the end wall.

The first design, made by the author, was intended to embody the views of His Royal Highness Prince Albert, in regard to the arrangement of the buildings for the purpose of Science and Art then proposed to be erected on the newly purchased estate. They comprised one for the collection of Pictures, at that time occupying only half the building at Trafalgar Square; this, the New National Gallery, was to be surrounded with other structures, affording ample accommodation for the chief learned and Artistic Societies of London. A large central Hall of Arts and Sciences was to be placed in their midst; the whole to form a metropolitan institution for the promotion of scientific and artistic knowledge as connected with industrial pursuits. It is well known that the surplus funds of the Exhibition of 1851, amounting to the sum of 150,000_l._, were offered by the Royal Exhibition Commissioners at the instance of the Prince, for the purpose of carrying out this grand conception. The report of the House of Commons’ Committee on the National Gallery strongly recommended the offer to be accepted, and Parliament at first assenting, voted another sum of like amount for carrying out the entire project. The sum of 300,000_l._ was found, however, insufficient for purchasing the whole of the ground required, and a further grant of from 25,000_l._ to 27,000_l._ was voted by Parliament, and a sum of 15,000_l._ was given by the Royal Commissioners. Mr. Cubitt was engaged to obtain the ground, and the roads through the Harrington estate were planned by him in conjunction with the author, who aided him to the utmost of his power in obtaining the land requisite to complete the site required for the various buildings proposed to occupy it. The site was 2100 feet in length, by an average breadth of 1200 feet, and consisted of about 56 acres; the level of the ground on the north of Kensington being about 36 feet higher than the portion at Brompton. Another block of land, upon which the Department of Science and Art is at present placed, made a space with an average width of 700 feet--in the whole 86 acres.

In sketching the design for the general building, of which a bird’s-eye view is here given, the author only took the 56 acres--the view shows only that portion of the building facing the Prince Albert’s Road, now called Queen’s Gate. It is placed in the centre of the land, so as to have large open grounds surrounding it. These at any time could have been covered up for the purpose of national exhibitions similar to those of 1851 and 1862. By putting the level of the ground floor of the new building about ten feet above that of the Kensington Road, a sub-basement would have been obtained, over 30 feet in height, affording ample space for arranging and storing works of art, as well as for receiving articles to be exhibited, or a great portion of them, from the upper parts of the building should the latter be wanted for any special purpose, and affording room likewise for all minor business departments. The Hall of Arts and Sciences was to be placed in the centre of the mass of building: a portion of the dome is seen in the view at the upper left-hand corner. This room was to be made 300 feet in length, by 180 in width. Two galleries for paintings, each 1000 feet in length and 80 feet in breadth, were to be placed on each side of the Central Hall. The sculptures from the British Museum were to be deposited in the central smaller halls of approach. The various Societies were to occupy the side-wings,

each having its meeting and lecture room, and all necessary offices and apartments. The public were to enter at the porticoes seen in the view, and the carriages of the professors at the gateways in front. Two roads were proposed traversing the ground from north to south, and giving easy access for vehicles to every part of the building.

In the small block plan attached to the view, placed on the upper right-hand corner, _b_ is the Prince Albert’s Road, _a_ the Exhibition Road, and _c_ and _d_ the roads north and south.

The design was placed before the Prince at one of the Architects’ meetings at the Earl de Grey’s, and it was exhibited at the Royal Academy in the same year. The House of Commons, however, after granting such a large sum of money for the purchase of the land, expressed its disapproval of removing the National Gallery from the present position, said to be the finest site in Europe, and the Fellows of the Royal Academy were informed that the portion of the building they then occupied would be added to that of the gallery. A view of the gates and lodge as at present executed is here given.

It cannot be supposed that a sum of 340,000_l._ would have been expended by the nation for the purpose of giving the Horticultural Society a perpetual lease of the best portion of the estate purchased. It is already evident that the gardens are not well situated there. The smoke of the district will not permit the growth of delicate plants, and their exhibitions are supplied from the gardens at Chiswick. In much less than fifty years their grounds will probably be the centre of London, and consequently the noble conception of His Royal Highness has still a good chance of being carried into effect. The Society will be smoked out when the city bounds are extended. The present National Gallery building will be wanted either for a Bank of England or a Royal Exchange, and my Lord Mayor may follow the example of the India Directors, and leave the Mansion House, to move to Whitehall. A tunnel under the Exhibition Road takes visitors into the grounds direct from the railway, that now makes them as easy of access from the heart of the City as Charing Cross itself.

A few remarks may be made here on the great rise which takes place in the value of land in any fashionable neighbourhood of London required for the erection of buildings.

The Harrington estate at Kensington Gore, containing in the whole 93a. 3r. 27p., was the joint property of the Earl of Harrington and of the Baron de Villars, through the right of his wife, the Baroness de Graffenried Villars. Previous to 1848 it had been some time in Chancery. In that year Mr. John Gaunt Lye was appointed auditor and agent to the fifth Earl of Harrington for the whole of the property. The rental of the Kensington Gore estate amounted at this time to 2779_l._ 9_s._ per annum. Through Mr. Lye’s exertions, he having received a power of attorney for the purpose, the estate was taken out of Chancery, and a division took place on the 7th May, 1850, at Mr. Lye’s office in Lancaster Place. For the purpose of division, one portion--that charged with maintaining the Cromwell Almshouses--was valued at 41,996_l._, and the other at 40,552_l._ Cards representing each portion were placed in a hat, and the one representing the 41,996_l._, was taken out by the Baron.

In 1851 the Earl’s portion was let to Mr. W. Jackson on a building agreement for 99 years, at 100_l._ per acre, or 4600_l._ per annum. In 1852 the Baron de Villars sold his moiety to the Royal Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851 for the sum of 153,793_l._ The Commissioners only wanted a small portion of the Earl’s property. The first offer made by Mr. Cubitt to the surveyor of the estate was 40,800_l._ for 17 acres, or at the rate of 2400_l._ per acre. This was declined, and after a little negotiation the sum of 54,716_l._ was obtained. The matter was settled on the 7th of March, 1853; Mr. Jackson the builder received 7964_l._ as compensation for the loss of so much of his building land.

More land was purchased by the Royal Commissioners to make up the site they required; in the very middle of the latter was a field which had only been used as a place for beating carpets. It belonged to the Smith Charity estate, and fetched a rent of about 40_l._ per annum; this field was obtained by giving in exchange an outlaying one on the Villars estate, the building value of which was estimated at 800_l._ per annum.

The Royal Commissioners, after squaring the site they required, and putting aside the portion now occupied by the Department of Science and Art, parcelled out the remaining outlying portion into three blocks, and let them on building leases. The first and most important of these was secured by the author for an employer, at a rental of 1500_l._ per annum, on condition that the fee of each house plot could be purchased within 6 years after the lease was granted; it contained about 2 acres. And these are now the only freeholds that can be obtained. This plot is now covered with buildings of the selling value, as leaseholds, of 250,000_l._, and it produces an improved ground rental. For the purchase of the whole fee, the sum to be paid was 46,500_l._, so that for a portion of this land which the author of this work, as surveyor of the property, sold in 1852 for little more than 3200_l._ per acre, the value had risen, in 1860, to no less than 23,250_l._ per acre.

It is only since Hyde Park has become almost the centre of the metropolis, instead of being in one of its rural districts, that attention has been paid to supply it with ornamental lodges and gates. The country was so long occupied with the importance of the war with France, which terminated so gloriously to the honour of our country, that the Royal Parks were left in a very neglected state; and the gates and lodges, particularly the entrance into London by Knightsbridge, were mean in character, and totally unworthy of the purpose.

Londoners of the present day have no notion of the wretched state of Hyde Park as it existed fifty years ago. The side next Park Lane, now a beautiful walk, adorned by the gardener’s utmost skill with several varieties of flowers and shrubs, was then a narrow sunken road, which for the most part continued, by the side of the boundary wall, all the way from Oxford Street to Piccadilly. This, when improvement commenced, was filled up, and laid down in grass; and a wide Mall, with two foot-paths, was formed on the higher ground, and enclosed by handsome iron posts and rails. Some extensive gravel pits existed in the middle of the park; these were filled up, one only being permitted to remain. The surface of the park was generally levelled and manured, by which the herbage has been greatly improved. Numerous seats were placed about the park, for the convenience of the public; clumps and avenues of trees were planted. The Serpentine was cleansed for the first time; it is just now recleansed. A new drive, nearly a mile in extent was made through the most distant and beautiful part of the park, to lead to Kensington Gardens; and generally, all the roads were macadamized, and enclosed with posts and rails. To connect the roads north and south of the Serpentine, a handsome bridge was erected, from the designs and under the superintendence of Messrs. Rennie. This has much conduced to the accommodation of pedestrians and horsemen.

About twenty years after these great improvements were effected, Queen Anne’s garden, at the extreme termination of Kensington Gardens, was thrown open to the public; the kitchen garden belonging to Kensington Palace was let out on building leases, and a road formed through it connecting the town of Kensington with Bayswater. This road, called the Queen’s Palace Gardens Road, is now covered from end to end with first-class mansions. The improvements continued, and are being still carried on.

The lodges and gates, at the chief entrances into the park, were put up at the expense of the nation. When any building operator required an entrance into the park, for some new outlying district, he bore the expense of the construction, working under the direction of Her Majesty’s Chief Commissioner of Works. The Government lodges at Cumberland Place cost 2151_l._ One of these has been lately removed to widen Park Lane.

The two first lodges, with gates opposite Stanhope Street, cost 5062_l._ The single lodge at the end of Grosvenor Street, with the iron gates, cost 2929_l._, and the fountain 340_l._

The grandest of all these erections, that at Hyde Park corner, adjoining the Duke of Wellington’s mansion, cost 17,069_l._

The first lodge and entrance gates put up by a private building contractor was the Albert Gate, erected by the late Thomas Cubitt; the lodge is sunk, its flat roof being on a level only eight feet above the ground, and containing two small rooms, with a little yard and scullery. The iron railing forming the carriage gates and entrances to the foot-paths is of the same height as the lodge, and extends about 60 feet; the stone piers have on them the old stags which formerly decorated the stone piers at the entrance of the Ranger’s Lodge in Piccadilly. This gate gave an entrance by Hyde Park to Belgravia, and very much raised the value of that district.

The next lodge and gate were put up by Mr. Kelk, opposite the fine mansions at Prince’s Gate. This is known as the Prince of Wales’s Gate.

There are two lodges in size and plan exactly similar to the lodge at the Queen’s Gate. The gates and railings are very plain; they are 12 feet in height, and extend to a length of 77 feet.

The Queen’s Gate lodge and gates are certainly the chief of all the erections put up by building contractors; their cost was 2800_l._, as previously mentioned. Both in ornamentation and character they vie with the best erections put up by the Government. The length of the iron-work between the stone pedestals is 140 feet; the height of the common rails, 11 feet above ground; the height of the standard and lamp, 18 feet; there are two carriage gates, each of 15 feet opening, and two entrances for foot-passengers, each of 10 feet opening. The stone pedestals at each end are 6 feet in width by 15 feet in height. The iron-work is designed to represent a group of spears; the author wished to surmount the pedestals with groups of military arms similar to those of the trophies of

Marius on the balustrading in front of the Senatorial Palace, Rome. These could have been constructed in

stone, at little expense. Sir Benjamin Hall wished for marble statues, and on Prince Albert’s suggestion models were made of two reclining figures, by Mr.

Theed, representing “Morning” and “Evening.” These would have caused great additional expense to the builders, who wished, as the entrance was a great improvement in the value of the Earl of Harrington’s property at Kensington, to place, on the piers, two

fine antique statues of Hercules then on the gates at Elvaston in Derbyshire, a country seat of the Earl’s. But as the statues belonged to the estate, and were entailed property, they could not be removed, and the Earl objected to their being taken down for the purpose of casting. The effect of the whole is much injured by the pedestals remaining unoccupied. The plate on page 143 represents the centre of the ironwork, surmounted by the Royal Arms.

The gates and railing are of very superior construction; they are the work of Mr. Turner, of Hinde Street, Manchester Square. They have been pronounced by the Government officials as requiring little attention, and that the gates open and shut better than any other gates in the park. Page 144 gives an elevation of one of the iron standards. Each is two feet in width; there are ten of them; four, those belonging to the carriage entrances, being surmounted by lamps. The small size of this volume will not allow a full illustration of the ornamentation to be given, but it admits that important part, the construction, to be clearly shown. Page 145 gives a section of one of the standards, _d_ is a layer of concrete, 1 foot 6 inches in height and four feet in width, which goes all through; _a_ is the York landing, 6 inches thick and 5 feet square; _b_ is the brickwork, this goes all through; _c c_ represent the blocks of Portland stone; and _e_ is the granite curb 8 inches by 10 inches in section, within the entrances.

Page 146 gives the plans of the standards at different heights, showing the several plates given in the section; and on page 149 is a section of the wrought-iron coupling-bar with its brass bush.

The gates move on a hardened steel socket of circular form, working within a steel box, as shown in the section.

Iron block and ball latches are provided for each of the gates. On pages 148 and 149 are cuts of the wheel block, with the plan, elevation, and section of the stopping-piece or fall-down latch. The stopping-piece is keyed into the granite curb in the centre of each gateway; _a a_ is the lower rail of gates, and by its side is a small portion of the ornament between the rails. That the effect of the whole structure was, very much injured by the unfinished state of the pedestals was the opinion of Lord Llanover, who sent the following letter to the architect, expressing his dissatisfaction:

Great Stanhope Street,
_July 11, 1859_.

SIR,

The works at the Queen’s Gate, Hyde, Park, are very well executed,
and the entrance, as completed, produces a good effect; but that
effect would be materially improved if the gates and the railings,
and the ornamental works were relieved by colour, and some of the
parts gilt as I intended they should be. The two pedestals are also
without the groups which were to form the superstructure of the
square blocks. The work so far as it is executed is very well
executed, and I am quite satisfied with it so far; but I shall not
consider it completed until the groups are placed on the pedestals,
and the best effect will not be produced so long as the iron-work
remains wholly black.

I am, Sir,

Yours faithfully,

LLANOVER.

C. J. Richardson, Esq.

ON THE FOUNDATION AND BASEMENT WALLS OF BUILDINGS, DAMP PREVENTION, AND FIRE PROOF CONSTRUCTION.

The foundations of buildings require careful consideration. When a house approaches completion and shows cracks in the upper walls, they arise either from insufficient attention having been given to the solid character of the earth forming the site, or from bad construction at the basement. The building in fact settles down unequally. As a settlement of every building is certain to take place upon its completion, the greatest precaution should be taken to make it as equable as possible. No portion should settle deeper than another, and this can only be secured by care at the foundations.

It often happens that portions of a selected site are of unequal quality. In such cases it is necessary to excavate the worst portions deeper to reach a good stratum, and to take the brickwork lower, no filling up beyond the usual thickness of concrete being allowed.

There is another very serious evil, in building, to be guarded against. Owing to the moisture of the earth rising through the foundations and saturating the walls above, the health of the occupants of such houses may be seriously affected by its presence in the walls. About twenty years ago it was the universal practice in good buildings to place wide stone landings--three times the thickness of the wall above--under the foundations, for the purpose of preventing the damp from rising as well as to spread the width of the wall.

A bed of concrete is now used as a substitute for this plan; the engraving below shows the best method of constructing foundation walls. A trench, three times the width of the wall is dug, at least 2 feet 6 inches in depth. Into this is thrown a quantity of concrete, which soon dries and becomes solid. In the superior class of buildings a layer of concrete, six inches in thickness, is placed entirely over the ground, inside the foundation. Upon this concrete the walls are built, the lowest footing being twice the width of the wall above. On a few courses above the top footing a course called a “damp course” is put; this is shown at _a_, page 152.

Two courses of slate are laid in cement; but other materials are often used, as a thin sheet of lead, for the whole width of the wall. Zinc might answer, but it has not yet been tried. A thin coat of asphalte, or asphalted cloth, tar, pitch, or a plain coat of cement are also often employed, but the two courses of slate in cement are considered sufficient. The first course of bricks above the ground is often formed entirely of air bricks, originated by Mr. Aldin, the builder, of Kensington. Each brick has eight or ten perforations, ½ inch in diameter, through its whole length; a small piece of perforated zinc is placed upright between the bricks to prevent insects from entering. This is shown at _b_. The timbers and stone flooring of the basement do not enter the walls, but rest upon dwarf walls, the joists having oak sleepers to rest on. The brick fenders of the foundations are entirely filled with dry rubbish or ironfounder’s ashes, and the stone hearths bedded solid either in mortar or concrete. This is the construction shown in all the designs of this volume. To illustrate still further the attention given in constructing foundations, the engraving below is given, showing a section of a foundation executed several years ago at Westminster, where the ground was uncertain. Its scale is only half that of the previous figure, the upper wall being 3 feet in thickness

instead of 1 foot 6 inches. Above the bed of concrete, which is 9 feet in breadth, by 3 feet in thickness, are York landings, _a_, 4 inches thick and exceeding 6 feet in width. Upon these are laid two lines of wood sleepers, _b_, bedded in brick and cement, the size of each sleeper being 12 by 6 inches, and in long lengths. Above this is a course of planking, _c_, placed diagonally across the wall; each plank being 12 inches by 6 inches, and about 9 feet in length. Above this are the footings, each two courses in height: in the return walls the landings, sleepers, and planking are placed a course higher, so that they might be tied together. The brickwork goes down twelve feet, and invert arches are turned at every opening.

In order to keep the walls as solid as possible in the lower part of a building, the ground floor joisting should rest on projecting corbel bricks as here shown,--the joists going between the cross walls rest upon projecting bricks, the upper one being of peculiar strength; tall piles are put between each joist against the wall, for the skirting in cement to be formed upon it. Air bricks in open iron-work, two to each front, are placed so as to admit air within the joisting.

This mode of construction is carried throughout the ground floor.

The stone landing of the passage by the side of the servants’ stairs, is supported on the part next the wall by corbel bricks, and on the other side by an iron bar let into the wall at each end; as shown above. In the upper floor, the joisting should be reversed and go front to back, notched on wall plates let into the wall, thus tying both walls together.

The introduction of rolled iron girders into buildings renders fireproof construction very easy. They are made of all sizes, and can be placed over any opening, so as to carry the weight above them. Kitchens in many London houses are constructed in the back yards, with an area between them and the house. This confines all the smell of the cooking to the precincts of the kitchen. As it is very important that no roofing should interrupt the light from the back ground-windows of the house, the roof of the kitchen is so constructed that the yard is only moved upwards; it belongs to the ground floor and not to the basement. For this purpose, cast iron girders, standing on brick piers, bear up rolled iron six-inch girders, between which half-brick arches are turned. Above all these is concrete, cement, or asphalte. The courses of tiles and cement are laid at such a slope as will be sufficient to take the water off quickly. It is easy to put skylights, or any kind of opening, in this construction, and to make the whole water-tight.

This figure shows a way of supporting walls over openings, instead of the old method of arching in brick; the iron girders or plates have often no timber between them; they rest upon iron shoes or stone slabs, their depth being proportioned to the opening and the weight above. Strong large hollow bricks or tiles are placed over them, and above all is the brickwork.

The upper floors of buildings are made fire-proof in a similar manner, and for this purpose there are several excellent patented methods. The iron girders are closed up by brick arches, or filled between with concrete. The only objection to this mode of construction for upper floors is the great weight, and the walls require to be made of extra strength. Several years ago a hollow brick was used to form such arches and roofing, _e.g._, the dome of the Rotunda, at the Bank of England, is formed with them. The brick is somewhat similar to a flowerpot, but flat and closed at each end. There were several varieties of these cone bricks, as they were called; a few are preserved in the Soane Museum. One sort was 7½ inches in height, 4⅛ by 2⅜ inches at the top, and 3-2/8 by 2 inches at the bottom. They were curved inwards with a small opening, 1 by 2/8 inch in the centre. The edges of the brick were slightly splayed, and the sides scored; these were as strong as the common bricks, and very much lighter. When the East India House was pulled down a large quantity of these bricks was obtained; they were brought to Kensington, and the builders did not know what they were intended for; their purpose being pointed out, they were used up in the construction of fire-proof flooring.

_Fire-proofing._--A method of rendering buildings nearly fire-proof was introduced about 1770 by Mr. David Hartley, M.P. for Hull. It consisted in placing thin metal plates between the flooring boards and the joists, so as to prevent any upward currents of air. For domestic buildings the system was one of great value. After several successful trials it obtained considerable notoriety, and being thought capable of an impossibility, that of rendering a Theatre fireproof, it was applied to the Pantheon Theatre in Oxford Street. On that structure being burnt to the ground the plates lost their character, and went out of use. It was clearly a mistake to apply them to such a building. Thin iron plates hung at a short distance below the ceiling were successfully adopted by Mr. Walter Crum, to prevent the spread of fire from one room to another in his calico printing works, near Glasgow.

_Damp._--The damp rising from foundations is more easily guarded against than damp coming against a building laterally. Houses in exposed situations and subject to driving winds, are often very wet inside the walls, the rain being driven through them. Sometimes the best construction will not keep out wet. As a rule, a well-built wall wherein proper material has been used, should not be damp.

A rectory, not far from Salisbury, where the author was engaged a few years ago, was in such an exposed situation that on three of its sides no tree or any other object in a direct line could be seen for three miles. Clothes, if placed against the external wall of the dressing-room, were often quite wet. The Rector had tried several preventives himself; one was a mixture, used to water-proof cloth--a wash of soap and alum.

The ingredients were mixed in the following proportions: ¾ lb. of mottled soap to 1 gallon of water. This mixture, when in a boiling state, was laid over the surface of the brickwork steadily and carefully with a large flat brush, so as not to form a froth or lather on the surface, and was permitted to remain twenty-four hours to become dry and hard. Another mixture was then made in these proportions: ½ lb. of alum to 4 gallons of water, which, after standing twelve hours, in order that the alum should be completely dissolved, was applied in like manner with a flat brush over the coating of soap. The coating had to be very often renewed. The wall most exposed was made free from wet by being covered with a coating of cement.

Walls exposed to damp should be coated with a thin layer of Portland cement, mixed with a little plaster of Paris, and after this is thoroughly dry, it may be hardened and rendered impervious to water by painting it with boiled linseed oil and red lead, mixed together.

In very exposed situations all external walls should be battened, lath and plastered within, or built with a hollow cavity in the middle, with proper bond and a proportionate increase of thickness,--the hollow could be filled with concrete, or the back of the bricks covered with pitch. There are several other methods for keeping walls free from damp. One is to saturate the walls with some kind of mastic, or a wash composed of two or three parts of resin and one part of drying oil, to the extent of as many washes as the wall will absorb. This must be quite dry at the time, or be dried by means of a small portable furnace. The plan is effectual, but it is a difficult operation to perform. A cement composed of lime, boiled linseed oil, white lead, and sand, has been recommended.

Besides these various compositions, there are several excellent well-known paint and metallic cements, which have stood very severe tests, and are largely made use of; but walls properly constructed should not require their application.

_DESIGN No. 14._

A SMALL COUNTRY RECTORY.

This design was made for a country clergyman residing near Montacute, in Somersetshire. It was arranged according to his express directions in every particular, both as to style, and in regard to the number and size of the rooms on each floor. Living in the immediate neighbourhood of some of the finest

old English mansions, he was anxious to have a residence in the old decorated style of wooden architecture, certainly the most picturesque of all the styles our forefathers have left us. The timber dwelling is found in almost every county throughout England, with their projecting windows and highly ornamented bargeboards; several large houses in Cheshire and Shropshire remain to satisfy us that such construction, when properly carried out, is very lasting. The timber used requires to be felled at the right time, and to be properly seasoned before being placed up; which must be done on a brick or stone foundation. Dwellings constructed in this way were anciently

called post-and-pan houses. They have been known to rock and bend before severe storms, and to stand intact while adjoining buildings have been blown down. Large palaces were formerly constructed in England of wood; the chimney flues and fireplaces alone being of brick. The sketch-book of John Thorpe, an Elizabethan architect, a copy of which is in the fine library of the Art Museum of South Kensington, illustrates several of these dwellings.

With the present design it was the intention of the rector to carry out the work himself, the necessary drawings being provided him. The building is small and compact. When much adornment is intended, it is necessary to confine the expense within

bounds; if a cheap large house with plenty of accommodation be required, then four walls and an overhanging roof alone need be given. The view shows the principal front of the building; on page 163 is the ground plan; _a_ is a small hall having a window looking into the conservatory on the right; the door leading to the servants’ department is on the left; _c_ is a small study, 16 ft. by 14 ft., with a decorated ceiling, containing the shield of arms of the owner. The drawing-room, _d_, size 28 ft. by 15 ft, has the

ornamental ceiling of bold Elizabethan character; this covers the whole ceiling, and the effect of such ornamentation

is very good. Often, in the olden times, a portion of the rib moulding was gilt, the ground of the ceiling being of a light blue; ceilings of this kind exist which represent foliage and flowers, giving the effect of a garden bower. The preceding illustration shows the present ceiling. The simple rib moulding is in plaster, with small flowers and pendants. The section of the rib moulding to a large scale is shown in the cut; which also gives the cornice and frieze of the room; _e_, in the ground plan, is the dining-room, 16 ft. by 12 ft., this opens on to a terrace paved with

marble in black and white squares--the present ornamental tiles were not in common use at the time the design was made; _f_ is the kitchen, _g_ the scullery, and _h_ the larder. A small enclosed servants’ yard, with place for coals, wood, and other conveniences, is in front of the kitchen. The yard has a separate entrance from the front. This is the whole of the accommodation given on the ground floor. The one-pair plan shows the five bedrooms. These are without dressing-rooms, there being no space for them. A small turret staircase leads to the attic floor. This gives two large bedrooms and a small one for the

servants. The large bow-windowed room might serve as a nursery. The tower was carried up and contained a bell. The basement plan contains a large and small wine cellar, and one also for beer; there are four cellars, besides an inner cellar under the stairs.

The principal staircase is very light and cheerful, having on one side three large windows, with a ledge or stand for flowers. It was proposed to panel it entirely with oak, and have an ornamental ceiling similar to that in the drawing-room, with a pendant in the centre. The section is taken through the drawing-room, staircase, and kitchen, and shows the form and height of the rooms above; also the stone stairs to the cellars.

It will be seen that the walls rest upon a concrete foundation; the scale is too small to show the damp course or the ventilating bricks, as previously described (see page 159). The chimneys are shown carried up nine inches square, excepting the kitchen chimney, that being 14 inches by 9. The staircase was to have a plain Elizabethan iron railing, and the whole of the wood-work to be coloured and grained oak; the roof was to be covered with slate, these requiring a less solid base; ornamental ironwork crowned the summit of the principal roof over the staircase. An illustration of the front of the building is given on page 169.

The figures on page 170 illustrate various kinds of treatment for the carving of the finials and pendants, and the ornaments of the small gables; it being usual in these structures not to have any two parts of ornamental detail exactly alike. It has all to be carved by hand, and requires only slight extra trouble on the part of the architect to make separate patterns for the workmen. A section and elevation of one of the chimneys are shown also; they are fitted with the small cap introduced and used so extensively by the late Mr. Thomas Cubitt, at Belgravia and Pimlico; this will

be found fully illustrated in the chapter on chimney and flue construction. At the time this design was made, this plan was not known. The chimney is shown with an iron funnel 2 feet in height, a chimney-pot, in fact, let into the stone work at top, having no projection within for soot to lodge. Two of the stone balustrades are illustrated. Every separate balustrade in such buildings should be of a different pattern.

The knocker on the entrance door, the key, escutcheons for the doors, and a corbel in oak from the entrance front, are illustrated on page 172.

_DESIGN No. 15._

A SMALL COUNTRY HOUSE.

This building was intended to be only a comfortable country house for the residence of an eminent provincial solicitor. It was directed to be made of superior character, as the owner, being a person well known in the county, considered that the

eyes of the whole neighbourhood would be upon it. The situation was on one of the roads leading out of Maidstone, and as the land in which it was to stand was taken on lease for 99 years, nothing beyond a superior gentlemanly character could be given to it, as it is only in freehold houses that any superior or expensive architectural adornment should be indulged in. The Roman or Italian style, as being the most appropriate and the one best understood by builders, was adopted.

The front of the house had no prospect, the side of the road opposite to it showing only a high bank with boulders of ragstone, peculiar to the county of Kent; and for this reason none of the principal windows looked towards it. The back-front and side, however, turned towards the hills between Maidstone and Rochester. Very precise directions were given as to the arrangement, size, height, and number of the rooms. The study, _c_, was to be on the left of the entrance-hall, and its size 16 feet by 12 feet. It was made 16 feet square. The drawing-room, _d_, having the chief prospect, was to be the principal room. This was made 20 feet by 17 feet. The dining-room, _e_, was 20 feet by 16 feet; both rooms looked into conservatories, _i_ _i_. The back front faced the north--a very favourite aspect for the principal rooms with many of the noblemen and gentlemen of Kent; the reason being that the flowers in the gardens under the windows, turning towards the sun, present a cheerful and agreeable appearance to the occupants of the rooms.

The dining-room had steps leading down to the garden; the kitchen _b_, scullery _g_, and small larder _h_, were on the right of the entrance, the kitchen and the study having small windows by the side of the entrance, so that all visitors coming to the house might be seen. The servants’ door was in the small yard by the side of kitchen, with a place for coals; _o_ is a small chaise-house, and _p_ a stable for a pony; _l_ is the dust-hole.

The upper floor had to contain five best bedrooms; these can be seen in the plan. Their sizes were 17 feet by 12 feet, and 16 feet by 10 feet. There were three dressing-rooms, the largest 12 feet by 10, the two smaller each 12 feet 6 inches by 6 feet. The second floor contained two rooms for servants, one 16 feet by 10 feet, the other 12 feet by 10 feet. The basement had a footman’s pantry, 12 feet by 9 feet 6 inches, and a dairy of the same size. This had steps down to it in the area. There was a wet larder with a window, a wine cellar, and a beer cellar.

The interior was plainly finished, with nothing beyond the best modern enrichments. The whole of the interior had Keen’s cement skirtings. The staircase had a skirting flush with the wall, so as not to take away space from the stairs; this is shown at page 178. There were ornamental roses in the centre of the ceilings of the principal rooms. The section of the interior is made through the principal entrance, across the staircase and dining-room; and in the upper floor, through two of the dressing-rooms.

The only architectural feature in the front of any importance was the portico (see page 180). A bold and prominent effect was given to it. The estimated expense of the building was 2151_l._, full price put down as 2250_l._

* * * * *

The vignette is an elevation of an Elizabethan balustrade, in stone, intended to crown a cornice, and to be placed in an elevated position against the sky line.

_DESIGN No. 16._

A COUNTRY VILLA.

This villa, which has just been erected in Berkshire, in the neighbourhood of Windsor, is intended as the country residence for a lady of rank. The living rooms are large and noble, and the accommodation

for a small establishment ample. The plate (page 182) shows the garden front, and above is the ground plan. The two principal rooms, the drawing and dining-rooms, are respectively 25 feet by 18 feet and 21 feet by 18 feet. They are to the left of the hall; this, of moderate size, leads to the principal staircase, which is of very easy ascent, each step rising less than

6 inches. The second landing opens to the servants’ staircase; _b_ (see page 183) is the kitchen, size 15 feet

by 14 feet, with the larder _h_, leading directly out of it,--_g_ is the scullery, with an oven, and a shoot into the dustpit _m_, _n_ is the housekeeper’s room, and _j_ the butler’s pantry; _c_ is the lady’s room or study. This was enlarged, by taking down the partition, marked on the plan by the dotted lines, to allow of a splendid oak cabinet being placed there. A door in the room opens direct into that of the housekeeper; _k_ is the dairy,

and _l_ a place for coals. The wine cellar was at first intended to be placed under the principal flight of stairs, descending a few steps; but a large one, _b_ (see page 184), was afterwards made.

The plan of the upper story shows it containing two large principal bedchambers--each with a dressing-room, and a large room with two fireplaces serving as a nursery, but which could at any time be made into two rooms by putting up partitions.

The servants’ sleeping apartments, the housemaid’s closet, and the servants’ staircase, occupy the remaining portion of the plan.

The cost of erecting the carcase of the building, including the wine cellar, was 1108_l._ The cost of finishing, putting up the principal staircase in Portland

stone, and leaving all work required to be painted with two coats, but exclusive of papering, stoves, ironwork, marble mantelpieces, conservatory, verandah and exterior decorations to roof, was 1550_l._ Mr. Hockley, of Kensington, was the builder. When the mansion was finished so far, all ornamentations, &c., formed an agreeable occupation for the lady to complete from favourite examples seen by her on the Continent. The extra parquet flooring in the dining and drawing-rooms is from Switzerland. This cost 148_l._ All the stone flooring of the hall, staircase, passages, and conservatory, is covered with tiles from Italy; these are about 8 inches square, but not so well made as the English kind, although more artistic. Each has a small figure put in by hand, which is different on every tile. The tiles are faced with a white china ground and look extremely well. The common tiles cost 16_s._ per 100. The grotesque figured tiles,

of which the illustration on page 189 shows four, cost 2_l._ per 100. They were supplied by M. Giustiniani, of Naples. The marble chimney-pieces were to be supplied from Italy. The ironwork of the staircases, and the panel to fill up the opening in staircase, shown dotted in the upper plan, were supplied from Paris. It is different from any ironwork that can be procured here, of elegant design, and covered apparently with a thin coat of zinc. This gives it a silvery metallic appearance, and it does not require

painting; it is really a coating of glass, and is termed the _lavenant_ process. It it said to be a great preservative of the iron, and can be put on in different colours. Each of the windows of the principal rooms, and the hall, is fitted within with Price’s steel revolving shutters. These cost 75_l._ The upper windows on the outside have iron balconets, likewise from France, and the roof, surrounding the principal parts, is finished with the French cut pine patterns. They were supplied by M. Jules Millet, of 12, Boulevard du Temple. The entrance door has the two upper panels

filled with French castings, executed in a fashion different from the English mode; but one quite worthy to be followed. The iron panel is placed on the outside, with a light iron glazed casement fitted behind it. This in warm weather can be opened, so as to admit fresh air into the hall. The plan and elevation of the casement shown from the inside, on page 187; by the side of it is one quarter of the external iron casting.

It may be remarked that these French patterns, both in iron and wood, are not finished off as clean as they would be in England. The castings appear just as they came out of the sand, and the wood pattern exactly as the machines or saw left them; but they are extremely elegant, and the metallic appearance of the ironwork is very pleasing.

The former house is pulled down, except a portion, permitted to remain, which is formed into a decorative building for the garden; the plan (page 188) shows _a_ the old kitchen, _b_ the wine cellar made into an ice-house, _d_ a lock-up closet, _f_ a prospect tower, _c_ a closet in a small enclosed garden, and _e_, a garden seat.

On page 190 is a pattern sent from Paris for the staircase railing.

_DESIGN No. 17._

A DOUBLE SUBURBAN VILLA.

This building was intended for erection on a leasehold estate at a little distance out of London. It would have been of rather plainer character, but the view (page 192) shows the design first made. The frontage, or width of ground for each house, was

60 feet, the depth 150 feet. The character of the building was of the domestic style of the reign of Henry VII., and the accommodation it afforded is given in the several plans. The ground plan shows two large rooms _D_ and _E_, the drawing and dining rooms, which can easily be opened into each other by sliding back the inner doors into the partition; _C_ is the library, with a book-room leading out of it. _B_ is the staircase, of a size rather larger than that generally allowed in London houses. Very often, sufficient attention is not paid to this highly important part of our dwellings by builders, nor full space allowed for it. A

good staircase should have, at every six or seven steps, a landing of at least 2 feet 6 inches in depth. Where winding stairs are used they should have a good sweep; the tread, in the centre, should be 1 foot in width, the riser never more than 6 inches in height--less even would be better. It is also of considerable importance in a staircase that the height of the steps in the various flights should be the same. Some of the most costly and important of the builders’ houses in London, erected on highly rented land, have the staircases so confined that these, an architect’s well-known rules, are wholly put aside. Staircases with risers of 6 inches in height from the ground to the one-pair floor, increased to near 7 inches to the two-pair, the latter flight containing probably 30 steps in a straight line without a landing, render a house almost uninhabitable.

A servants’ staircase is a most desirable addition to a large house. The present building was not considered of sufficient importance to have one. It was proposed to be placed between the tower and the dining-room, but it was rightly considered that the two staircases should be put together so that the