FRANCIS BARLOW ROBINSON, ESQ. SAMUEL ROGERS, ESQ. MISS ROGERS. JOHN RICHARDS, ESQ. SIR JAMES SOUTH. LADY SOUTH. RIGHT HON. V. SMITH. MRS. V. SMITH. CHARLES STOKES, ESQ. CHARLES SWEETING, ESQ. REV. CLEMENT STRONG. THOMAS TEESDALE, ESQ. J. THOMSON, ESQ. (Clitheroe.) FRANCIS CHARLES TROWER, ESQ. W. H. TINNEY, ESQ. REV. T. M. TREHERNE. MRS. TREHERNE. SIR CHARLES VAUGHAN. R. VALPY, ESQ. MRS. VALPY. M. VANDE WEYER (two copies). LADY WALPOLE. LADY ELIZABETH WHITBREAD. W. WINGFIELD, ESQ. MRS. WICKHAM. MRS. WIMBERLY. MISS WALLS. R. WHITE, ESQ. J. WINTLE, ESQ. [Heading illustration] LETTER I. DEAR SIR, AS I am about to build a new house, I have determined to avail myself of your assistance, should it be convenient to you to give it. I do not by so doing intend that it should be supposed I think that the many very intelligent architects in this country are incapable of giving me good advice; but independently of my friendship for you, and great respect for your talents, I wish to consult one who is not likely to be so much wedded to the routine of modern Italian villas, Elizabethan houses, and thatched cottages, as is the case with most of our English professors: not that I mean to say anything in disparagement of a Palladian villa, always beautiful, though not always best suited to our climate. I am also fully sensible of many of the beauties of the old Elizabethan houses, and also of some of the imitations of them; and a small thatched cottage is very pretty. I shall begin by stating the sort of house we want, and give a short description of the ground on which it is proposed to build it, in order that you may in the first place, give your notions as to the site, and the style which you would recommend. On the style, perhaps you would give us your views in detail, pointing out, as far as your leisure and inclination will permit, the merits of each, and which on the whole you prefer.