|
Main
- books.jibble.org
My Books
- IRC Hacks
Misc. Articles
- Meaning of Jibble
- M4 Su Doku
- Computer Scrapbooking
- Setting up Java
- Bootable Java
- Cookies in Java
- Dynamic Graphs
- Social Shakespeare
External Links
- Paul Mutton
- Jibble Photo Gallery
- Jibble Forums
- Google Landmarks
- Jibble Shop
- Free Books
- Intershot Ltd
|
books.jibble.org
Previous Page
| Next Page
Page 34
It happened, accidentally of course, that Bessie's evening dress was of
a color that looked well by gaslight, and no objection was made to the
unnatural illumination.
Jill took up the architect's letter, where she had left it, at the
conclusion of the blind question. "Another point that was mentioned
when I was at your father's house must be decided soon: Shall there be
gutters to catch the water from the roof, with pipes of some sort to
convey it to the ground, or shall it be left to take care of itself? If
there are none, the ground around the house should pitch sharply away
from the walls and a slight depression should be formed, into which the
water would fall. This shallow ditch should be perhaps two feet wide,
as the drops will not always come down in straight lines. It may be
paved with small stones or bricks, between which the grass will grow,
or it maybe more carefully lined with asphalt paving. If it is desired
to conduct the water to a certain point, this drain can descend
slightly toward it, and, if the lawn will not be injured by an
occasional inundation, even the shallow ditch may be omitted, making
merely a one-sided slope, hardened to prevent the water from wearing a
ragged, unsightly channel around the house. The advantages of disposing
of the water in this way, dispensing with the gutters, are its economy
and its permanence. Whatever the material may be of which they are
made, gutters attached to the eaves or roof cause more or less trouble
and expense from the time they are put in place till the house is given
up to the owls and the bats. They are liable to be corroded by rust, to
be clogged with leaves and dust, to be choked with ice, or to become
loosened from their fastenings. If used at all, they should be frankly
acknowledged. This is not, however, a point on which I am in need of
instructions, but would remind you that one of the interesting
illustrations of the happy skill of the old masters in making a virtue
of necessity is found in the effective treatment of the waterspouts and
conductors. They made them bold, quaint and picturesque in appearance,
far removed from the tin contrivances that we hang in frail awkwardness
to our roofs."
[Illustration: A GARGOYLE]
"How perfectly delightful!" exclaimed Bessie. "Those horribly grotesque
old gargoyles are just glorious. Don't you delight in the antique, Mr.
James, when it isn't too horrible?"
"Yes, they are awfully jolly. We had a great time with them last
'Fourth.' I got myself up as a pirate king--black flag, skull and
cross-bones, you know. It was awfully jolly."
"I never saw any of that kind, but you _will_ have some gargoyles,
won't you, Jill?"
"Possibly, for the architect says' whether you have gutters entirely
around the house or not; it will doubtless be necessary to catch the
water that would fall upon the steps or balconies in short
eave-troughs, and as they are certain to be conspicuous they should be
respectfully treated. As they add to the comfort of the house they
should also add to its beauty.' Now what shall be said on this subject?
His opinion appears to be that if we do not need to save the water for
use, and if it will do no harm upon the ground around the house, it
will be best to omit them except where protection is needed for
something below. He sends some sketches and says 'they represent a few
of the methods by which the water may be caught and carried to the
ground. Number two and number three will prevent the sliding of the
snow from the roof, which is sometimes desirable, but not always.
Gutters made in this form should be so near the eaves that in case of
accidental injury the water could not find its way inside the main
walls. Number five has the advantage of leaving the house uninjured
whatever happens to the gutter itself. It may leak through its entire
length or run over on both sides without doing other harm than wasting
the water.' I don't see," said Jill, laying down the letter, "how we
can give instructions without dictating in matters of 'construction and
design,' concerning which the architect distinctly objects to advice."
[Illustration: A CHOICE OF GUTTERS.]
"Tell him we don't care what becomes of the water and the lawn will
take care of itself. Then 'instruct' him to exercise his own
discretion. That's what he is for. What next?"
"He would like to know our wishes in regard to fireplaces."
"I thought the heating question had been decided once according to
Uncle Harry's doctrines."
Previous Page
| Next Page
|
|