DOI article:
Powell, Alfred: On old english country cottages and reconstruction
DOI Page / Citation link:https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.41874#0073
ON OLD ENGLISH COUNTRY COTTAGES AND RECONSTRUCTION
ingenuity and enthusiasm, every part of them suggestive of ways of doing
things, as, indeed, they are the crystallization of centuries of work-ex-
perience. The modern standard cottage, “ architected ” to some kind of
prettiness as it may be, will not wear like the old, nor improve withhise,
but will need frequent painting and repair ; and above all it has that pecu-
liar negative quality as regards its workmanship, as if ashamed to confess
itself the product of men’s hands.
In thinking of reconstruction we must surely realize that beside and along
with all material improvements there must be an edge, a poetic sharpness,
on all our efforts ; we must have a nation more alive to things of the spirit.
And one of the true claims that can be made on behalf of our ancient cot-
tages lies just there, that they are an appeal to the spirit of the nation.
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ingenuity and enthusiasm, every part of them suggestive of ways of doing
things, as, indeed, they are the crystallization of centuries of work-ex-
perience. The modern standard cottage, “ architected ” to some kind of
prettiness as it may be, will not wear like the old, nor improve withhise,
but will need frequent painting and repair ; and above all it has that pecu-
liar negative quality as regards its workmanship, as if ashamed to confess
itself the product of men’s hands.
In thinking of reconstruction we must surely realize that beside and along
with all material improvements there must be an edge, a poetic sharpness,
on all our efforts ; we must have a nation more alive to things of the spirit.
And one of the true claims that can be made on behalf of our ancient cot-
tages lies just there, that they are an appeal to the spirit of the nation.
61
/