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BLACK ROCK FARMHOUSE: SUGGESTING
IDEAL DIGNIFIED COUNTRY LIVING
HOME contrived for comfort, adorned with the beauty
of stately trees and old-fashioned flowers, made from
the very stones of the hill it rests upon, wearing
nature's own soft colors, hallowed by family associa-
tion, destined to be prized more and more as the
years touch it with ever-increasing tenderness-such
is this lovely home, Black Rock Farm in Pennsyl-
vania, near the college town of Bryn Mawr. It is a home around
which the affections firmly cling, a place that even a stranger cannot
pass without a glance of appreciation, a stirring of the heart and in-
voluntary longing for possession. The great patches of cool shadows
that hover over the doorway as though shielding the dwellers from
too glaring a summer sun, the grass paths bordered by masses of
flowers, the hospitable well at the door that somehow looks as though
a stranger might venture to ask for a cup of cool water and get a
friendly word of greeting besides, the broad veranda with tables and
chairs showing that it is an outdoor room, daily and constantly
enjoyed, all go to make up a picture of ideal dignified country living.
   Houses, like people, bear the impress of their character in every
detail, so that he who cares may read. Its past life lies expressed
in many little ways; as the lines of a person's face, the stooping or
erect carriage of shoulders indicate the way life had been met and
greeted. Great simple dignity is expressed in this house. It seems
to have ministered to the comforts of its people and been much loved
by them in return. Unpretentious, substantial, with barns and store-
houses near its wings, it appears to have entered heartily into useful
service with its associate, the land. Doubtless many and many a
harvest of grain has been sown and gathered into those barns and
the sheds become fragrant with yield of orchards and the cellars
bursting with good things from the garden.
   One reason that this house arrests the interest is that it is an
expression of its country. It is not only boldly American, but
staunchly Pennsylvanian. The builder did not ostentatiously go to
Carrara for marble, but quite naturally, suitably and wisely used the
stones unearthed when the fields were cleared, and of them made his
home. It was squarely built as befitted the material, thus conformed
to an unalterable law of beauty. Based upon the forceful principle
of the square, it was kept free from the meaningless non-essentials
(usually regarded  as ornaments) that cheapen pure lines.     Its
beauty lies in structural dignity and in simplicity, therefore it needs
no superficial additions to give it grace. The front door with its
restful-looking benches and informal approach across the lawn, just
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