The several plans in this chapter do not form a com-
plete series of Union School Houses ; nor would such a
series be compatible with the general ol)jects of this
work. The series here given are designed to meet the
wants of country districts and smaller villages. Plans
for the larger and more elaborate Union Houses are left
for a succeeding w^ork, in which the whole subject of the
village and city School House Architecture shall be fully
discussed.
This series commences with houses of two rooms, and



128 COUNTRY SCHOOL-HOUSES.
gradually expands to those of four rooms. One design
containing eight rooms is given. The prevailing idea
of economy is carried out here as in the smaller designs,
but greater architectural effect has been produced in
consequence of the superior size of the building.
An effort has been made to present designs which, if
adopted, will not only answer for immediate use, but will
also be permanent. In the construction of School-Houses,
it has too often been the case that present necessities
alone have been provided for, and, in consequence, the
structures have been of the most transient character,
causing the whole school-system to appear equally tran-
sient and unstable, and rendering necessary a heavy out-
lay for re-building. With permanent school edifices, the
early school-experiences of childhood would be connected
with ideas of comfort, and with scenes crowded with the
associations of the past, making the school more attract-
ive, and school-life more pleasant and agreeable.
129



DESIGN NO. XII.
