STEEL HOUSES AND THE AMENITIES OF CONSTRUCTION
[To the Editor of the SPECTATOR.] SIR,—There is not the slightest necessity for steel houses or " emergency houses " to be ugly. " It all depends upon the brains behind them," as Professor Adshead said re small cottages at a lecture on " Housing " at University College. Beauty depends on the size and shapes of the windows, the lines of the roofs, and shapes of the chimneys in the cottages and villas now going up everywhere. I was talking to a man on a charabanc who said to me almost pathetically : " Why do they put the windows up so high? " I replied : " Because the architects and builders are fools." So people in the rural and suburban districts actually have to stand up to see their own grass and their own flowers ! Windows should be low in the sill, high, and wide, both downstairs and upstairs. A view of the sky and stars is a great asset.
Directly a cottage is planned, a tree should be planted in the road in front, and another tree in the garden. Trees are an enormous factor for beauty. Bermondsey has found that out, Portland Place has not. The Bermondsey Local Authorities have planted trees in many mean streets which are now a pleasure to look on. I agree with the Frenchman who said : " Le Beau' est aussi utile que l'Utile— meme plus." Beauty is inspiring. Beauty is an attribute of God.--- I am, Sir, &c., 35 Dover Street, Piccadilly, W. 1.
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