Most modern houses, as well as those of former times, are too large to be occupied with economy. It is not a large house, but a large room, that is most comfortable to live in; yet, many such large rooms tend to increase the expenses, if constantly lived in, and the miseries of life, if only used occasionally. Let us, then, consider what are the rooms required for a house, on the scale here proposed. These may be thus enumerated,- 1st. One large living-room, to contain books, instruments, tables, and everything requisite to modern comfort and costume [see the section fig. 246]. 2nd. An ample eating-room, to be used in the morning for breakfast, and not to have a fire lighted five minutes only before dinner. 3rd. An entrance, with such vestibule and passage as may impress a certain degree of importance, without useless waste of space or expense, the ancient hall not being necessary. 4th. A room on the ground floor, which I call a parlour; it may serve various purposes, besides that of the proprietor's own study; it should have a bed, in case of age or infirmity; or, it may be occupied by an eldest son; but its chief use is to give the proper number of bed-rooms on the floor above, which would otherwise be defective, in a house in the country. 5th. The gentleman's own room, connected with the offices, to give access to persons on business, without admitting them into the body of the house. This may be gun-room, justice-room, &c. 6th. The lady's own room, or boudoir, up-stairs, and connected with the wardrobe and bed-room, on the same floor, having a degagement, or private stairs, although the approach for strangers is by the principal staircase. 7th. The bed-rooms to have dressing-rooms, in which sofa-beds may occasionally be used. 8th. The rooms over the offices, to be used as nurseries, should have large folding-doors to admit air, and may be connected, on the same level, with the hill at the back of the house, for exercise to the children.
