Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/339

 1868.] Progress of Architecture in the United States. 279 But, that the Grecian architecture is at all adapted to the demands of Domestic Building, is very questionable. It had to be tortured into a compliance with the demands made upon it ; and hence, in the hands of untutored, though, in other respects, skilful mechanics, it is not to be wondered at, that the classic styles became so plastic, as to be twisted into shapes and forms that were the old worthies of Greece and Rome — who prided themselves on conservative rule — to rise from their graves, it is not to be doubted, that they would, in the in- tensity of their indignation, hasten back to their dread abodes, as a welcome refuge from the fearful sight. The Greek and Roman st3'les held universal swa} r in city, town and village. The country was studded with " temples," from court-houses down to bird-boxes. Every carpenter ploughed, tongued and grooved the antique into cornices with triglyphs, modules, consoles, and the like, until it came like a gamut to him ; and was more musical, the more he used the scale. Outside barbarians, who wanted stylish houses built for them- selves, had to put up with this style or that, or go without any, just as the Ar- chitects (?) of those primitive days de- cided. And, such was the Nubian dark- ness in which the free and independent citizens of this young Republic were then groping out a living, that every country carpenter styled himself par excellence an " Architect," and " bad his claim allow'd." But the "schoolmaster" just then set out to go " abroad," and, invoking to his side A. J. Downing, a man pecu- liarly adapted to the work of reform, the unpretending but useful volume on cottages and villas appeared, giving to our country houses a more rural and less fane-like style of architecture. Every one may remember when those high-roofed and ornamented gable dwellings first came, as it were, like a blessing en the land — and every one may also remember how the " old folks" squirmed at the innovation — and agreed with the carpenter architects that they were like "cocked hats." Despite the shrugs and grimaces of the conservatives, the reform went on. Downing soon had a host of able fol- lowers, who published illustrated vol- umes, in monthly parts, which were greedily bought up by the public, and at once produced their effect, in the im- petus given to true taste,. all over the land. The deserted followers of Greek and Roman forms, seeing shrewdly where their interests pointed, laid Benjamin and Lefever. on the topmost shelf, and owned that there was something in the new "fangle." The progress of archi- tectural taste became now very de- cided ; and professional architects were sought after and well patronized. The stimulus had its due effect ; and the ap- pearance of our buildings, private and public, was decidedly improved. Street architecture was no longer the same monotonous repetition of stiff lines and unbending rules. The several buildings now put up assumed a variety, that gave to our cities a very pleasing ap- pearance, as the observer's eye was con- tinually courted by a fresh charm. Our architects, in the full strength of their grown position, now borrowed largely from Europe ; and, in conse- quence, the Italian and Romanesque styles began to be very general. The former, however, being best adapted to villas, was confined to the country, whilst the latter made free with our public buildings, such as railroad depots and churches. The Byzantine, at length, was intro- duced. But this was rather too much for the public stomach to bear, and the lofty corbeled towers of brick had one great effect, at least, namely, to make those who were nervous still more so : and those whose nerves were strong, feel a something uncomfortable, they didn't know what, but it wasn't pleasure, at