PUCK'S PORTFOLIO. steal the first cur which comes in his way (unless, indeed, his knife be already whetted, and he have a common dog with him for the purpose). He then adroitly cuts the cord, and, at the same instant, by a slip-knot, fastens the cur in its place. But Madame goes her way contentedly, nor is it until her arrival home that she becomes aware of the striking change which has taken place in the appearance of her pet. Seldom does an expert finder return without at least a lap-dog. But lap-dogs generally belong to individuals endowed with long purses; so that the severance by the finder of the connecting link between bipeds and quadrupeds is of no long duration. If the dog-finder be of Berlin, his first business in the early morning is to look into the columns of the "Zeitung." If a Parisian, he consults "Les Petites Affiches," and, if a Londoner, "The Times." In Philadelphia, the "Ledger" serves his purpose, and, in New York, "The Herald." But all of these studies of daily literature, be they in France, Germany, The Five Points, or Small Street, have one object, to find the reward offered for his estray of the preceding evening. When the lost one is not worth a reward, he is disposed of after the manner of the Bolognini, a celebrated race of dogs, all traces of which have, however, long since disappeared from their native city, -Bologna! We have heard of a valuable dog, which had been so frequently stolen by the same individual, that he not unfrequently repaired to the well-known house of his finder, as to a second home. This excellent animal was regarded by his stealer as a settled source of income, and bequeathed as such by him to his children. When the finder has made a fortune, he retires to the country, and, though he may at first be as unwelcome as a cat in a ten-pin alley, yet he soon gets into their good graces, by stealing their dogs, and returning them gratis. Particularly do the old ladies affect him. The less fortunate finder generally ends his life in the modest retirement of a penitentiary or county prison. "WHY should Art-the noblest, brightest, purest | of Art to Domestic Purposes, which we, at the legacy transmitted to man from bygone generations-be withheld from the remarkably many, to be enjoyed and appreciated solely by the uncommonly few? Why should flowers and tracery of treble beauty wind around the capital, and all ornament be denied to the base? Is this just? is it generous? "When Adam and Eve were banished from Paradise, they were still allowed to retain their fig-tree aprons,-the first efforts of Art. And these beautifully-curling, leafy, arabesque ornaments were the only souvenirs which they bore away. Driven forth conquered, they still 'carried all before them,'-for they bore with them the most fashionable modern pattern for real Cashmere shawls. 66 "Why should works of Art and beautiful designs be confined to the Artful and Designing? It was never intended that the prohibition against stealing should be extended to working in steel, or even engraving thereon. No!-it was to go forth, a broad, extensive heritage, which should illuminate, with tenfold harmony, the Universe." We (id est, PUCK) deem the foregoing extract, furnished by an eminent critic, an appropriate beginning to a few suggestions on the Application especial desire of numerous friends, feel called ac DESIGN FOR A CENTAUR-BIT. logy: "Where is a Centaur first alluded to in the Bible? Ans.-John the Baptist's head on a charger !". We will not insult our readers by imagining for an instant that they are so little acquainted with the refinements of the English language as not to know that a tile means a hat, since the word has been used in this sense by poets. "I'm a gent, I'm a gent in the new-fashioned style, Examine my veskit, and look at my tile." And we therefore feel no hesitation in presenting them with and a kind friend, whose gift proves that he is desirous of casting light on our pages, has, in a melting mood, generously presented us with THE TAPER. A MOSAIC TILE. Nor do we see why Art should not condescend to beautify and refine the social board. Having been made happy with Rubens pitchers, Renaissance punch-bowls, Etruscan coffee-pots, Rococo spoons, Gothic forks, and Romanesque soupplates, we see no reason why we should hesitate to supply the want, so long felt by every true friend of Art, of a DESIGN FOR A BEEF-TEAPOT, (DONE IN BUHL.) We have long felt the want of an Esthetic Inkstand, and some "Old German" Sealing-Wax. These deficiencies are as yet unremedied. But we are supplied with We are aware that much remains to be done. ere this department can be considered as pluperfect. We could have given our readers the original design for a tumbler, either in the form of a tumbler-pigeon, or the likeness of LEON JAVELLI whose feats in lofty tumbling have won applause from admiring multitudes. We could have given a salt-cellar in the guise of one selling salt. We could have presented a frying-pan, whose handle should have borne, as a "nob," the head of Friar Bacon, decorated with pansies; the pan itself containing authentic portraits of Mrs. Fry, and the Man Friday; while beneath would have been engraved the figure of the heathen Pan, which, from its position, would have been perpetually piping hot. We could have shown the identical needle with which The Enemy once went into a patch, and sewed the tares. Yes, all this could we have done, and more! One thing, however, we will do. We will, as a finale, supply all of our readers who do anything in the brazen line, with a design for it, displays a large, old-fashioned, and EMPTY morocco pocket-book.) This, I have been informed, is that object. Permit me to present it, and congratulate you that you will in future have no further occasion to renew these visits and attentions." YOUNG GENT swoons. PROMISING CHILD. FATHER. "I think, sir, that I may safely say that I never saw a child which gave such promise of becoming distinguished. Now just hear him. Come, Julius Cæsar, tell the gentleman what you'll be when you grow up." JULIUS CESAR (drawls). "I'm a-going to keep a ca-a-andy shop." THE LOOKING-GLASS. PUCK broke a mirror the other morning. He gave it one piercing look, and "The glass in pieces flew." "How fortunate," quoth BEPPO, who was standing by, "that you didn't break any of the pieces!" COUNSEL TO THE DYING. Those who dye generally turn all colours. To such, the following recipes may not be unacceptable. To get blue. Take two bottles of Heidseck, seven juleps, a quart of strong punch, and a great deal of egg-nogg. To get a good black. Apply to the and cover up the roots. To get a clear yell-oh! Pinch the Beautiful greens may be found in the Straw-cullers are to be found in bonnet- (Agent of Police addresses an Editor and an Artist.)-"No news, you say, and out of money. Good!-I'll tell you how we'll arrange it. I'll see that there is a riot got up this evening in the Faubourg St. Antoine, and a barricade built. this gentleman be there to sketch it, and do you write the account, not forgetting to describe the efficient aid which I rendered in quelling the insurrection. When the money comes in, we'll share alike." WE here present our readers with a design | for a cottage in the Tudor-Gothic style, and we trust they will agree with us in looking upon it as a successful example of a rural home. Its character is that of simplicity and boldness; there is no frippery-work or flimsy ornaments to catch the eye, but the whole has an expression of utility and comfort:-in one word, of domestic ⚫ enjoyment. Its style is truly Northern, and more suitable to our climate than any other. It permits the use of building materials of the very coarsest kind, and high roofs which can be made of a simple and strong construction. Like our foregoing design, the veranda here is the predominant feature, and, we may say, its only ornament. The steps are carried round, to give it breadth; and we think that breadth and extension upon the ground is a characteristic which ought always to be aimed at in the designing of country houses. We really look upon a veranda as the most expressive feature of a cottage; for the idea of domestic enjoyment is mostly conveyed by it. It is true that, in a cool climate like this, the veranda is comparatively of little importance the greater part of the year; but, in the gentler seasons, and in all, a veranda is a positive luxury, as a resting-place and centre of social A cottage without a veranda looks to us mean and false in taste. We admit that it is not an absolute necessity, like a kitchen or bed-room, particularly in a very small dwelling, or in one where utility and economy must be the leading considerations of the architect. But, we think, the moment the cottage rises in dignity above the merely useful, that the veranda then should have its place;-if not an architectural veranda, at least an arbour covered with vines. resort. The ground-plan of our design has a pleasing, symmetrical form. The arrangement shows a good deal of compactness and convenience for a small family. The porch, or entry, is five feet and a half by nine feet, opening into the parlour. which is eighteen by twenty feet. The parlour here is quite a handsome and comfortable apartment, and the communication with the veranda will make it very pleasant in the summer. On each side of the parlour is a room adjoining. One of them-the library-will probably be used as a sitting-room. It is twelve by fourteen feet. A communication may be made with the veranda, if desired. The other may be used as a bed-room for guests, or as a dining-room. It is twelve by twelve and a half feet. The commanication with the staircase makes it suitable for both uses. This room also may have a communication with the veranda. The kitchen here is thirteen feet and a half by fifteen feet, which is a very convenient size for a cottage like this. There is a pantry attached to it, six by twelve feet, well lighted and aired. Between the kitchen and back door is a smali entry, which will exclude all draught and cold air in the winter. This back door opens on a small veranda or porch, five feet and a half by nine feet. If desired, a cellar might be made under part of the building; and, in this case, a descending flight of steps could be constructed under the main stairs. The second floor of this cottage gives a great deal of sleeping-accommodation for a dwelling of its size,-no less than four good bed-rooms. One of them is quite a large cottage-room, being sixteen by eighteen feet. The others are also sufficiently large. The sizes are given on the annexed scale of dimensions. Two of them have two fine closets attached. This cottage could be built of stone or brick. and it could, in many localities, be built of cobble or rubble stone, and cemented externally at a very moderate cost. Cominon quarry stone would be the best material, and, if only roughly dressed, and even laid in random courses, the effect will be better, and more expressive of the style, than if cut with the chisel and laid in smooth ashlar. The hoodmouldings and sills to be of dressed stone, and the gables coped with stone, hammerdressed; the roof to be covered with slates. Particular attention must be paid to the roofing of the valleys, because the water from the higher parts of the roof all finds its way to them before reaching the eaves, and therefore, if they are not made perfectly tight, leaky places are certain to show themselves immediately, to the great injury of the house and inconvenience of the inmates. To make these valleys tight, they should be lined or covered, be-de fore the slates are laid on, with broad strips of copper, lead, or gal-gvanized iron. The former is the best material; good thick lead is most commonly used, being less expensive than copper. All the inside woodwork, including sashes and doors, to be of a dark colour, grained to resemble oak or walnut. Stained glass may be used with great advantage in the entrance. The veranda will be constructed of wood, painted and sanded to correspond with the material of the building, the roof of the same to be covered with tin. This description, we hope, will enable the reader fully to understand the design and views of the architect; and in regard to himself, he will only say that he thinks he has presented to them a design that combines much beauty, both of form and expression, and worthy of some critical exami- ひど nation. 15 GROUND PLAN. 13 |