A BOOK OF COTTAGES AND LITTLE HOUSES.
A Book of Cottages and Little Houses. By C. R. Ashbee, M.A. (B. T. Batsford. 12s. 6d. net.)—This well-produced book does not appear to be designed so much for the man who is seeking hints and plans for a country cottage as for landowners and the architects and builders who work for them. It contains careful drawings of a number of interesting cottages which have been built or rebuilt by Mr. Ashbee in a stone country and some other districts, and as these illustrations are accompanied by photo- graphs. plans, measurements, and prices their practical value is considerable. The work might be found helpful by readers faced with the problem of improving or adding to the cottages of a district, in the building of which there is an architectural distinction which it is desirable to retain. As Mr. Ashbeo includes the designs he submitted in the 4150 Cottage Competition, and gives drawings and particulars of the 4160 (six-roomed)
cottages he is erecting at Ellesmere Port, it is plain that he recognises the place of machinery in inexpensive cottage con- struction. According to an interesting vote lately taken by a company of London workmen at his instance, sixty per cent. of the machinery now employed in the building trade is a public benefit, and about forty per cent. the reverse.
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