Architectural Reveries.

its position , a light metal frame of the Avidth of the rebate , and also lined ivith india-iubber tubing , should be secured to the rebate ivith tivo or more screivs , thus fixing the glass ; and at tho same time , as the india-rubber would only offer an elastic resistance between the glass and the metal , the

contraction or expansion of the frame might take place Avithout cracking the glass ; while the glass could be taken out at any time and other glass put in its place as easily as the renewal of a watch-glass , as has been said aboA T e . This process may appear complicated in descriptionbut is in reality exceedingly

, simple ; ancl Allien a pattern-frame is cast , with its glass-securing framelets to match , the matter of glazing , oven in the first instance , Avould be absolutely less costly than the clumsy puttying system , while iu all cases of renewal ib would only bo the cost of the glass , instead of , on the old system , a

heavy charge for labour ( half a day ) , AA'hich expensive labour destroys the beauty of the wooden window-frame , makes much needless dirt , much unpleasant noise , and keeps a family out of a room in daily use , to the great incommoding of all the family affairs , while the clumsy piece of pottering is being g-lazierly , and leisurely , and most noisily , accomplished .

The greatest advantage gained , however , ivould be to art , in the neiv impetus that ivould bo at once given to design in the various neiv forms which our window framework Avould necessarily assume ; giving to our domestic architecture an epochal stamp such as all former periods have

enjoyed , while our own , in all its most important architectural efforts , has hitherto been one of sheer imitation , ivith the almost solitary exception of railway work , Avhere entirely new conditions have actually compelled the adoption of neiv treatment , which is destined to result in very remarkable and

veiy beautiful changes , though at present iu a very embryonic state , from which , however , it cannot fail to emerge in due time . Supposing the use of metal window-frames , of the kind suggested , to be generally adopted , the question arises , Avhat kind of tracery would be desirable , and to what part of the ivindow ought it to be confined ? Takin g a drawing-room

window , opening to the ground , for a first experiment , it will be seen with but slight consideration that the portions of . the Avindow-spaco below and above the eye-line at once suggest themselves as fitting ¦ fields for ornament , without obstructing the view ; say , to the height of IShi . at the bottom of the

window , and above the height of 6 ft . from the floor at the top , AA'hich spaces might be enriched , if not filled , by ivell-designed tracery . This open tracery might be filled Avith coloured glass , in graceful design , and well contrasted colours—sober , or richaccording to the style of the apartmentits

, , fittings , and furniture . The ivant of colour of this kind has been evidently felt by our modern builders , and borderings—mere linear borderings — -of coloured glass , more or less ugly and vulgar .

have been frequently introduced ; but this has generally been the case only when it has been thought advisable to exclude an objectionable lookout from staircases or back rooms . It is not , however , in the humble position of a screen that coloured glass is here recommendedbut as a

con-, spicuous element of beauty in the design of a ivindow ; in Avhich , the forms of the compartments produced by the play of the tracery should be a more important feature than the coloured glass , not only from the exterior , like the stone tracery of church windowsbut also from the interior

, , where church window tracery , on the contrary , sinks into a secondary position in presence of the striking effect of the transparent picture of ivhieh it forms the frame . This should not be the case

in a drawing-room window , in ivhieh a great portion of the central space is necessarily clear glass , surrounding which the traceried framework should conspicuously exhibit its play of lines , to ivhieh the coloured glass in the insterstices should only perform a subdued accompaniment . The central

s ] 3 ace of clear glass might be a long oval , in ivhieh case , instead of the opening being up the centre , the entire oval might form of itself the opening portion , and the surrounding tracery the frame to AA'hich it would be fixed . With such an openingthere would be no less room for tracery beloAv it

than if the windoAv opened down the centre in the usual way , as the bottom of the opening should not be higher than could be conveniently stepped OA er into a belcouy or garden . Windows constructed and ornamented in the

manner described would form very decorative and really novel features in an apartment ; and ivould at the same time tend to the development of new external effects . It has been suggested , as a starting point , to make the clear portion of the window of some neiv shape , while still leaving the entire framework of the Avindow of the orthodox

square form . But that is not necessary ; for , not to mention the glorious Catherme-Avheel AvindoAvs of our cathedrals , it is well knoivn that in Chinese architecture—a by no means contemptible school of art—that windoiA s of entirely oval or circular form are made to produce most pleasing effects in

ordinary domestic archicture , especially where they frame , as it were , a pretty view of lawn or flowergarden , as seen from a room or passage ; but even in the external design of the building they produce a novel play of lines that might be made much of by skilful and artistic management ; for

there is no real . esthetic reason ivhy the basal line of a Avindow should be always a horizontal one . Much more than has been here hinted at remains to be done in windoAv design ; it is a fertile field for architectural innovation of the safest kind , in whichif carried on Avith a true sentiment for art

, , one might in our reverie imagine many beautiful novelties evolving themselves , if one could but ivait to Avatch them ; but this dream about ivindows has already reached itsntmost limits . — The Builder .