CHARM OF THE OLD.

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 75, Issue 118, 21 May 1932, Page 1 (Supplement)

CHARM OF THE OLD.

“Almost every fragment of them seems of value,” says Mr. C. Reginald Grundy in an article in the Connoisseur. when referring to old English buildings. “ Staircases, doorways, ceilings, wall panellings, fire-grates, oak il tarings, even stonework and time>rn but beautifully tinted bricks are igvrly sought after to be embodied in row buildings based upon old styles. . . Somo of the finest of timbered roofs arc to be found in English tithe barns, many of the ancient alms-houses are superb specimens of architecture, and old shop fronts are treasured in various museums. Thus, in former days, though life may have been deficient in comfort, cleanliness and sanitation, man’s environment was generally beautiful or at least picturesque. He so far responded to his surroundings that even in comparatively humble homes the household gear was characterised by tasteful adornment—always inter esting because, being hand wrought, it reflected to some extent the personality of the craftsman. The introduction of machinery, turning out the n«*cess»ies and luxuries of life with a minimum of labour, should have raised the general aesthetic standard, as enabling mankind to devote a far larger p portion of his time and energy to the creation of beauty. But far from this having occurred, life has become more varied, but less picturesque, than of old, and modern towns, instead of being char acterised by the sustained and diffused architectural beauty of th *ir ] leces sors, generally concentrate their important buildings and finer houses in a few favoured centres.”