The original form of all dwelling is existence not in the house but in the shell. The shell bears the impression of its occupant. In the most extreme instance, the dwelling becomes a shell. The  nineteenth century, like no other century, was addicted to dwelling. It conceived the  residence as a receptacle for the person, and it  encased  him  with  all his appurtenances so  deeply in the dwelling's interior that one might be reminded of the inside of a compass  case, where the instrument with all its accessories lies embedded in deep, usually violet folds of velvet. What  didn't  the  nineteenth century invent some sort of casing for! Pocket watches, slippers, egg cups, thermometers, playing cards - and,  in  lieu of cases, there  were  jackets, carpets, wrappers and covers.