The front elevation.
THIS building was intended to be only a comfortable country house for the residence of an eminent provincial solicitor. It was directed to be made of superior character, as the owner, being a person well known in the county, considered that the
The ground plan.
eyes of the whole neighbourhood would be upon it. The situation was on one of the roads leading out of Maidstone, and as the land in which it was to stand was taken on lease for 99 years, nothing beyond a superior gentlemanly character could be given to it, as it is only in freehold houses that any superior or expensive architectural adornment should be indulged in. The Roman or Italian style, as being the most appropriate and the one best understood by builders, was adopted.
The plan of the upper floor.
The front of the house had no prospect, the side of the road opposite to it showing only a high bank with boulders of ragstone, peculiar to the county of Kent; and for this reason none of the principal windows looked towards it. The back-front and side, however, turned towards the hills between Maidstone and Rochester. Very precise directions were given as to the arrangement, size, height, and number of the rooms. The study, c, was to be on the left of the entrance-hall, and its size 16 feet by 12 feet. It was made 16 feet square. The drawing-room, d, having the chief prospect, was to be the principal room. This was made 20 feet by 17 feet. The dining-room, e, was 20 feet by 16 feet; both rooms looked into conservatories, i i. The back front faced the north—a very favourite aspect for the principal rooms with many of the noblemen and gentlemen of Kent; the reason being that the flowers in the gardens under the windows, turning towards the sun, present a cheerful and agreeable appearance to the occupants of the rooms.
