Chapter 3

A DOUBLE CONCLUSION 258

LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.

_From Drawings by the Author_.

PAGE

1. "COUSIN GEORGE'S EXTERIOR" 11

2. COUSIN GEORGE'S FIRST FLOOR 14

3. COUSIN GEORGE'S SECOND FLOOR 15

4. "WARMTH IS BEAUTY" 21

5. A HIDDEN FOE 23

6. A BURIED GRIDIRON 24

7. THE PROTECTING "CUT-OFF" 25

8. A "CROSS-SECTION" PROPHECY 28

9. HEAT FROM ALL SIDES 30

10. AUNT MELVILLE'S AMBITION 33

11. NO PLACE FOR THE BED 36

12. ENLARGED BY DESTRUCTION 37

13. A SLIGHT ADDITION 39

14. GROUND FLOOR OF AUNT MELVILLE'S AMBITION 42

15. FIRST FLOOR OF AUNT MELVILLE'S AMBITION 43

16. A SECURE OUTLOOK 49

17. MINED AND COUNTERMINED 52

18. A DORMER OF BURNED CLAY 55

19. THE TOPMOST PEAK 59

20. WILL'S MASTERPIECE 65

21. THE FIRST FLOOR OF WILL'S MASTERPIECE 73

22. THE SECOND FLOOR OF WILL'S MASTERPIECE 75

23. THE OUTSIDE OF TED'S HOUSE 79

24. JILL'S KITCHEN IN BLACK AND WHITE 83

25. THE FIRST FLOOR OF TED'S HOUSE 88

26. THE POOR BUT MODEST ATTORNEY'S COTTAGE 91

27. A DOUBLE TEAM 94

28. WARMTH UNDER THE WINDOW 96

29. STEAM PIPES BESIDE THE FIREPLACE 97

30. THE ATTORNEY'S FLOOR PLAN 101

31. NO CONCEALMENT OR DISGUISE 105

32. WITH A MULLION AND WITHOUT 110

33. JACK'S ARCHITECTURAL PHRENOLOGY 112

34. THE HAT MAKES THE MAN 113

35. THE CONTRIBUTION OF BESSIE'S FATHER 117

36. THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE CONTRIBUTION 123

37. A GARGOYLE 130

38. A CHOICE OF GUTTERS 131

39. A SIMPLE RECESS 133

40. IN THE MIDDLE RANK 135

41. THE WORTH OF A COSY COTTAGE 137

42. A PROMISE OF SOCIAL SUCCESS 141

43. A REASONABLE HOPE 143

44. FLOORS AS THEY ARE: FLOORS AS THEY MIGHT BE 145

45. BRICKS AND BOULDERS ON GRANITE UNDERPINNING 149

46. NOT BRILLIANT, BUT IMPRESSIVE 153

47. WOODEN RICHNESS 155

48. NO WASTE OF WOOD 156

49. FIRST FLOOR OF THE PROMISE 158

50. SECOND FLOOR OF THE PROMISE 159

51. NO PLACE FOR SECRET FOES 167

52. SAFE AND SAVING FLUES 179-80

53. A PICTURE IN GLASS OVER THE FIREPLACE 181

54. GLASS OF MANY COLORS, SHAPES AND SIZES 183

55. SHELVES IN THE MIDDLE, CUPBOARDS ABOVE AND BELOW 185

56. "THE OAKS" 191

57. OUTSIDE BARRIERS 195

58. INSIDE BARRIERS 196

59. COMMON UGLINESS--SIMPLE GRACE 197

60. FIRST FLOOR PLAN OF "THE OAKS" 201

61. LOOKING TOWARD SUNSET 205

62. NEAR THE TURNING-POINT 207

63. A CHOICE OF BALUSTERS 209

64. THE BIG FIREPLACE IN THE KEEPING-ROOM 211

65. ONE WAY TO BEGIN 213

66. A BROADSIDE OF AN EASY ASCENT 215

67. A DIVIDING SCREEN AT THE FOOT OF THE STAIRS 219

68. BITS OF CORNICES 223

69. MOULDINGS FAIR TO SEE, BUT HARD TO KEEP CLEAN 225

70. FRAGMENTS OF ARCHITRAVES 227

71. A CHOICE OF WAINSCOTS 229

72. WOOD PANELS FOR WALLS AND CEILINGS, WITH IRREGULARITIES IN LEATHER, PAINT AND PAPER 231

73. THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT 235

74. THE FIRST FLOOR OF THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT 239

75. THE SECOND FLOOR OF THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT 241

76. THE EAST END OF JILL'S DINING-ROOM 243

77. A CASTLE IN SPAIN 263

_Also Initials, Tail-Pieces, etc._

INDEX OF SUBJECTS.

PAGE

BUILDING SITES 16 BRICKS 46, 53, 58 BLINDS 116 CHIMNEYS 179 CONTRACT WORK 233 COMPETITIVE PLANS 237 DOORS 194 FIREPROOF CONSTRUCTION 54 FALSE CHIMNEY-PIECE 98 FIREPLACES 134 FLOORS 140 FASHION 224 GUTTERS 129 HEATING 97, 132 HEIGHT OF ROOMS 138 HARD WOOD 197 INTERIOR FINISH 221 KITCHEN ARRANGEMENTS 81, 125 PLUMBING 166, 177 PANTRIES 186, 189 PAINT 223 ROOFS 69, 113 STAIRS 38, 214 STAINED GLASS 38, 183 TERRA COTTA 61 UNDER-DRAINING 24 VENTILATING FLUES 178 WINDOWS 110, 183 WOODEN BUILDINGS 51

PREFACE

TO THE REVISED EDITION.

On a recent visit to the young woman whose experiences and observations are contained in this book, I was greatly pleased to find her zeal and interest in domestic architecture unabated. She sees that there have been changes and improvements in the art of house building, but declares that while some of her opinions and suggestions of ten years ago have been approved and accepted, it is still true that by far the greater number of those who plan and build houses are guided by transient fashion, thoughtless conservatism and a silly seeking for sensational results, rather than by truth, simplicity and common sense.

She has no doubt that her daughter, Bessie, will study and practice domestic architecture, and naturally expects the houses of the future to contain charms and comforts of which we have as yet only the faintest conception.

E.C. GARDNER. _Springfield, Mass., November, 1895._

INTRODUCTION

"MR. E.C. Gardner, architect, has consented to write us a series of articles upon house-building," said one of his associates to the editor of OUR CONTINENT a few months since. "What do you think of it?"

"We have no sort of use for such a thing," replied the editor. "There are treatises enough professing to instruct people how to build houses. You can't make every man his own carpenter any more than you can make him his own lawyer. More's the pity."

"But I thought you said you wanted some one who had sense enough to put a thoroughly capable and accomplished housewife's notions of what a house should be into readable prose?"

"So I did," responded the editor, "and I still want it, and am likely to want it for a long time. I do not wish articles on _House_-building but on _Home_-building, and you will never get such from an architect."

"Don't be too sure of that," said the other, who had had a taste of the writer's quality before. "Suppose he should wish to try it?"

"Well,--let him," was the grumbled assent.

The editor did not believe in architects. He had built one or two houses that did well enough on paper, but were simply appalling in their unfitness when he came to try to adapt the occupants to the earthly tabernacles which had been erected for their use and enjoyment. He had read house-building books, examined plans and discoursed with architects until he verily believed that the whole business was a snare and a delusion. After this experience he had settled down to the serious belief that the best way to build a house was to erect first a square building containing but one room, and then add on rooms as the occupants learned their needs or the family increased in numbers. In this way, he stoutly maintained, had been erected all those old houses, whose irregularity of outline and frequent surprises in interior arrangement never cease to charm. He asserted boldly that a man's house ought to grow around him like an oyster's-shell, and should fit him just as perfectly; in fact, that it should be created, not built. From architects and their works he prayed devoutly to be delivered, and having theretofore illustrated that part of the proverb which avers that "fools build houses," he declared himself determined thenceforth only to illustrate the latter-part of the proverb:--"and wise men live in them."

Having, however, became sponsor in some sort for what Mr. Gardner might write, he was bound to give attention to it. Very much to his surprise, he found it instead of a thankless task, a most agreeable entertainment. Seldom, indeed, have wit and wisdom been so happily blended as in these pages. The narrative that runs through the whole constitutes a silver thread of merriment on which the pearls of sense are strung with lavish freedom. Every page is sure to contain the subject-matter for a hearty laugh close-linked with a lesson that may well be conned by the most serious-minded. The philosophy of home-building and home-improving is expounded with a subtlety of humor and an aptness of illustration as rare as they are relishable.

There are three classes of people to whom this little volume with its quaint descriptions and wise suggestions will be peculiarly welcome.

_First_--Those who contemplate, at some time, the building of a home. It matters not whether it is to be humble or palatial, "The House that Jill Built" will be found to contain not only the most valuable suggestions, but a humorous gaiety that will be sure to add pleasure to this duty.

_Second_--Those who desire at any time to enlarge, modify or improve the homes in which they live; for they will find very forcibly illustrated in its pages the principles which should govern such modification.

_Third_--Those who, like the writer hereof, have suffered in purse and comfort from the lack of such a pleasant and philosophical treatise, and who will be glad to see how their blunders might have been avoided.

"The House that Jill Built" is founded on the rock of common sense. It does not profess to tell the prospective builder how to be his own architect and carpenter; it does not fit him out with a plan ready made and tested--by somebody else: but deftly and easily it leads him to think about the essential elements of the home he desires until, almost unconsciously, he finds himself prepared to give such directions to an honest architect as will secure for his home, convenience, safety and that peculiar fitness which is the chief element of beauty in domestic architecture. It is not so much for what is taught as for what is suggested that the book is valuable. What the author has written is perhaps not more remarkable than the peculiar art with which he compels the reader to think for himself. "The House that Jill Built" may fairly be said to take the first place among the many works that are designed to make our domestic architecture what it ought to be--the art by which the house-builder may erect a home adapted to his needs, commensurate with his means, in harmony with its surroundings and conducive to the health and comfort of its occupants. What the author's pen has so well described his pencil has illustrated with equal happiness.

In penance for the lack of faith displayed at the outset and in hearty approval of the pages that follow, the Editor has written these words.

A.W. TOURGÉE. PHILADELPHIA, Oct., 1882.

THE HOUSE THAT JILL BUILT.