A new system of practical domestic economy.

Date:
1823
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A new system of practical domestic economy. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    22/524 page 6
    than half the children we see crooked and deformed have been made so by accidents on staircases.” This, however, is, generally speaking, imprac- ticable from want of space, and would be an unnecessary increase of expense, when the simple plan of dividing a house by partv-walls in its centre, with double staircases, where there is room, and a clear communication between each, might be found equally efficacious, at least in all ordinary cases. But this part of the subject shall be noticed more fully under the head of Domestic Accidents: at present let us proceed to the great point of economy, which depends upon the judi- cious selection of style in regard to the conveni- ences it may afford, without any palpable neces- sity for an absolute departure from it in the making a house habitable: for many a mansion may be striking to the view, whilst to the resident it is a constant and never-failing source of expense and distress. If we really wish to imitate the ancients, we ought to adopt not only their classic style, but also their shrewdness and common sense, and not forget, that what we often introduce solely as or- namental, was with the Greeks and Romans a useful thing ornamented. Porticos and piazzas are useful for shade and air in the warm climates of Greece or Italy; but are little wanted in front of a mansion where half the year is passed by the fire-side. In palaces, indeed, even in this cold climate, they may be allowable ; or where ornament is really and appropriately the first consideration: but in houses designed chiefly for domestic purposes, they are wrorse than use- less. How often does this rage for architectural
    digitised image 1
    digitised image 2
    digitised image 3