The Girl's Own Paper, Vol. XX, No. 992, December 31, 1898

AT CLARE, SUFFOLK.
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We have already pointed out the simplicity of outline observable in old English cottages, and the absence of exaggeration and that disagreeable fussiness brought about by too much striving after the picturesque. It must not, however, from this be concluded that ancient village buildings are always plain and do not at times possess elegant ornamentation and graceful details.
The general outline, however, is always simple and quiet, for, as will be seen by the examples we give (two of the most elaborate cottages in England), the roof lines are very little broken up or varied.
The first of these buildings is at Clare in Suffolk, and the second is at Newport in Essex, the latter being one of the richest counties in England for cottage architecture, many of its villages retaining quite a mediæval aspect down to the present time.
We will now say a few words upon the methods of applying ornamental detail to cottages adopted in mediæval times, and we shall commence with those structures erected in Post-and-pan construction. We trust that our readers have not forgotten what is meant by the ugly-sounding expression Post-and-pan, and regret that we are quite unable to discover or invent some more elegant name for this description of building. Some years back a number of architects and archæologists were examined before a parliamentary commission. The commission objected to the words Post-and-pan being used in their report, and suggested to the witnesses that they should find some more scientific expression for this kind of work! It was found, however, impossible to invent any one which conveyed the idea so concisely and satisfactorily, so the old-fashioned name Post-and-pan received parliamentary sanction! This being the case, our girls need not scruple to use it, and may it not, after all, be as valuable for the formation of the lips as the prunes and prism of Little Dorritt?
There are several ways of applying ornamentation to Post-and-pan buildings. The first is to add mouldings, tracery or carving, to the doorways, windows, cornices, corbels and other constructive parts of the building.