HOMES,

AND HOW TO MAKE THEM.

E.C. GARDNER.

Illustrated.

BOSTON:

JAMES R. OSGOOD AND COMPANY,

LATE TICKNOR & FIELDS, AND FIELDS, OSGOOD, & CO.

1875.

Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1874,

BY JAMES R. OSGOOD & CO.,

in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington.

UNIVERSITY PRESS: WELCH, BIGELOW, & Co., CAMBRIDGE.

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.

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

PREFACE.

LETTER I. EVERY MAN SHOULD HAVE A HOME

LETTER II. A GRATEFUL CLIENT

LETTER III. THE BEAUTY OF TRUTH AND UTILITY

LETTER IV. PROFESSIONAL FOLLY

LETTER V. BUILDING-SITES AND FOUNDATION-WALLS

LETTER VI. GRAVEL-BANKS AND QUAGMIRES

LETTER VII. NATURE'S BRICKS ARE BETTER THAN OURS

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

LETTER IX. A BROAD HOUSE IS BETTER THAN A HIGH ONE

LETTER X. TROUT BROOKS ARE BETTER THAN STREET SEWERS

LETTER XI. THE STRENGTH AND DURABILITY OF BRICK

LETTER XII. THE WEAKNESS AND SHAM OF BRICKWORK

LETTER XIII. SKILL DIGNIFIES THE MOST HUMBLE MATERIAL

LETTER XIV. EVERY MAN TO HIS TRADE

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

LETTER XVI. DOMESTIC DISCIPLINE

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

LETTER XVIII. OUR PICTURESQUE ANCESTORS

LETTER XIX. THE USE AND THE ABUSE OF WOOD

LETTER XX. A SURRENDER AND CHANGE OF BASE

LETTER XXI. HOSPITALITY AND SUNLIGHT

LETTER XXII. UNPROFESSIONAL SAGACITY

LETTER XXIII. STAIRWAYS AND OUTLOOKS

LETTER XXIV. IN A MULTITUDE OF COUNSELLORS IS SAFETY

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

LETTER XXVI. EXPERIENCE KEEPS A DEAR SCHOOL

LETTER XXVII. FASHION AND ORNAMENT, HARD WOOD AND PAINT

LETTER XXVIII. THOUGHT PROVOKES INQUIRY