When tradespeople know your name and address, it is always advisable to ask for a receipt if they do not offer to give you one. Even when dealing with shops which profess to sell on cash terms only, I always make a point of asking for a receipt if the goods are to be sent to my address; and, for the future, I advise you to follow the example of
Your affectionate cousin,
Bob Briefless.
[OLD ENGLISH COTTAGE HOMES;]
OR,
VILLAGE ARCHITECTURE OF BYGONE DAYS.
COTTAGE AT PINNER.
PART IV.
We will now describe a few examples of village architecture in the immediate neighbourhood of London, with illustrations from Pinner and Acton. The first, which is in “Post-and-pan” construction, is a simple but pleasing example of Gothic work, dating from the reign of Henry VIII., sketched at Pinner. The second is a porch to a cottage in the same pretty village; it is one of the most picturesque examples we know of, and the lovely rose bush which shades it adds much to its beauty. When we first saw it great clusters of these exquisite flowers clung around the ancient timbers and spread themselves over the ruddy tiles of the roof. It would be difficult to conceive a more charming bower, but, although some mending has been recently carried out, it will probably not last through many more winters; some cruel wind may wreck it, or some tempest ruin it, but when this catastrophe takes place it will have served its purpose for nearly four centuries, and can a wooden porch be expected to do more? As we heard an archæologist say, “it will have earned a right to tumble down.” Alas, we fear that most of the old village architecture in England has earned this right, and will, before very long, take advantage of it.
In addition to this the wholesale “improving” away of picturesque village architecture in the vicinity of the metropolis will leave little for those who come after us to study or admire.