94iO COTTAGE, FARM, AND VILLA ARCHITECTURE, such cases, generally one and the same thing The roof, thus simply constructed, showed its principal timbers and rafters, moulded on the under side, as greater and secondary ribs ; the lead boarding forming the faces of the panels, and the points of intersection being often profusely adorned with knots of foliage, and the like. Some examples we find, of a date subsequent to the introduction of plastering, in which the plainer parts are of that material, the ribs only being of wood. To the principal ribs were often attached curved springing pieces (fig. 1641), so as to give to the whole the contour of the flattened arch ; the weight being then sustained, on each side, by an ornamental corbel or capital. One more variety is that of the flat ceiling in wood ; sometimes simply divided by ribs into square or oblong panels, and at other times disguised by much the same kind of treatment as the flat stone ceiling of which we have taken notice. On a principle not very dissimilar to this is executed the wooden ceiling of the withdrawing-room at Hampton Court Palace (fig. 1642), exhibiting a succession of stars, bearing some analogy to the arrangement of the fan-groin; an example which, if purified from its admixture of Italian detail, might claim as much merit as a flat ceiling may generally be expected to possess. 1900. The Form of Ceiling 1642 which is most applicable to the combined Purposes of Taste and Convenience in Domestic Architecture, we consider to be that of two inclined planes. The flat ceiling must neces- sarily have the advantage over every other kind, in point of economy ; but it is greatly deficient in character, as, in its general form, it recognises nothing of the principle of the pointed arch ; a principle upon which the effects of the pointed style primarily de- pend; and a regard to which is conspicuous in each of the other varieties which we have enumerated. Even m the simplest of these, the ceiling of two inclined planes, though the rise in the middle may not be greater than eight or nine inches, in a width of sixteen or seventeen feet, there is still a distinct and sensible analogy to the form of the vault, in the upward tendency of the lines, and in the preservation of a lofty central point. When, on the other hand, so important and prominent an object as the ceiling is destitute of a characteristic form, let decoration be applied as it may, it will fail to supply the deficiency, or to relieve the composition from the charge of ambiguity. If there be any circumstances under which the use of the flat ceiling may be considered excusable, it becomes so only when used in rooms whose window; finish with square upix'r lines ; in which case, such lines may harmonise, to a certain extent, with the horizontal surface above. To place the flat ceiling over pointed windows is to destroy ail unity of feehng, as well as to show a great misapplication of economy. 1 901. Floors, in the Pointed Domestic Style. But the lowest as well as the most elevated objects shared the attention of our old builders, and contributed to the completeness of composition. Hence, in their more finished structures, the decoration even of floors was not neglected ; the practice being to intermix, with stone paving, ornamental glazed tiles, of varied colour and device. For these the achievements of heraldry aflTorded the most copious exemplars ; the subjects being disposed of in circles, quatrefoils, lozenges, &c. At other times, single and ordinary objects were adopted; or, for more economical
