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BRIDGE AND BOAT HOUSE.              t.)
PLATE VII.
A BRIDGE AND BOAT HOUSE.
THIS design is intended as a means of approaching an island
situated on a lake at the extremity of an estate, answering the
double purpose of a bridge and boat house, and also a shelter
from rain. The platform is inclosed by a parapet railing on
one side for safety, but is open on the other for the convenience
of taking boat, and for landing on return.
It will be seen that this building is not intended for the com-
plete protection of the boat, even during the summer months,
much less against the inclemencies of the winter season; but it
is sufficient shelter from the sun and rain at its moorings during
the day, when it is in readiness; and from this bridge it is
easily and safely entered, as its side comes in immediate contact
with the foot-path. The construction of this building is very
simple, the materials of which it is composed may be of un-
wrought timbers: the supports being the trunks of unbarked
trees, the arch of their tapered branches, and the walling of cleft
logs, built in the manner of the rough walling of the Romans.
The roof is of thatch, and the flooring of iron, covered by gra-
vel, in continuation of the walk. As the garden at this spot
would properly change its character to the wilder accompa-
niments of the lake, this building would assimilate with the
scenery, and please by its rural effect, well contrasting with
the more elegant and polished objects of other parts of the
plantations.
Some extensive estates that have been much improved, still
afford opportunity of combining the effect of the river and the