INTRODUCTION.
xni
In adopting these styles, however, it is neither necessary nor advisable to adhere to ex-press models: indeed it is hardly possible to do so without falling into inconsistencies,because in most of the mansions of that period many of the principal apartments were abovestairs, consequently the windows on that floor -were loftier and more important in the ele-vations, than any of the others; whereas the present mode of arrangement in countryresidences is directly the reverse, the principal rooms being exclusively on the lower floor,and only bed-chambers and dressing-rooms, or some private apartments^ above.
The skill of the architect is manifested, not by faithfully copying the examples of othertimes, let their merit be as great as it may, but by transferring beauties and Valuable ideas,and by so incorporating them in his productions, as to make them his own by novel andjudicious appropriation. -' "
It has already been remarked that the liberty allowed in the Gothic style is sometimesmore perplexing than greater restraint would be; so also it is frequently more difficult tomake designs for general purposes, than one for a particular building. If in the latter casethe architect be fettered by restrictions and directions, he is at least furnished with data toproceed by, and has only to consider how he may best satisfy his employer’s wishes, and ifpossible, his own taste; but in the other, he must strive to please numerous and often veryconflicting tastes. This difficulty, and it is no inconsiderable one, has certainly been feltby the author of the present collection, who has introduced into it one or two designs whereeconomy has been chiefly studied in the elevations, they being rather what others mayrequire, than what he himself would recommend.
As it does not form one of the subjects of the work, but merely serves by way of fron-tispiece to this Second Part, it may not be improper to speak here of the Public Room inthe New Town Hall at Manchester , and to give some brief account of that structure, itbeing one of the numerous public edifices * erected by the author. This building, of whose
• As it may be interesting to some, to be informed wliat public buildings have been designed andexecuted by Mr. Goodwin, a correct list is here subjoined :—
CHURCHES.
New Church at Hulme, Manchester .
Ditto at Ashton under Lync, Lancashire .
Ditto at Portsea, Hants.
Ditto at Derby.
Ditto at Kidderminster , Worcestershire .
Ditto at Bordersley, Birmingham .
Ditto at West Bromwich , Staffordshire .
Ditto at Bilston, Staffordshire .