Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/348

 288 Sloan's Architectural Revieio and Builders' Journal. [October, speare saw and pronounced the fact, that there are 11 Sermons in stones." Yes, and eloquent sermons, too ; es- pecially when those stones, sj'mmetri- cally congregated, do honor to the Great Jehovah ! The intimate history of Christianity is interwoven with that of architecture, for ecclesiastical takes the precedence of domestic forms ; and the progress of the great crusade is to he found indi- cated by the temples erected on its path, down to our own day. They took the place of the altars of paganism. And what is more interesting than a sight of even the' foundation-stone of one of these ? Yes, ecclesiastical archi- tecture, for the past eighteen hundred and sixty-six years, is, indeed, a study of intense interest. Taking at once a nobler and more spiritual form than that devoted to heathenism, the Christian Church courted that light of day which the heathen temple shunned ; and raised its spires, like imploring hands, to Heaven, to send down that peace of soul the heathen never knew. The architect of to-day is but the pioneer of one more masterly, because better educated, leading the destinies of a great art, whose claims on the atten- tion of our age are as yet barely recog- nized. However, he can, even to-day, make himself felt and understood in the future, if he will simply do his duty to the mighty mistress he serves. Money-making is no element of art. True genius may be liberally sustained ; but it cannot be bought : it is unpur- chasable. He that sells the honor of his art, sells his birthright ; and buj's the contempt of all honest men. Steadiness of purpose should be the guiding principle of the architect. Studying well the objects to be attained in the course of his design, he must not falter from that course ; but be true to his art, ever and always. Originality is, of all things, the most desirable ; and, in this new, this bride- like nationality, there is no necessity for fettering the imagination with the archi- tectic dicta of another Continent. Then let the American architect, in all pro- fessional things be independent — free in action as in thought. To copy is servile ; and argues a mind unequal to the task of thought. Why should one copy ? He, who has so glorious a field before him ? Let him study out carefully the beauties and the faults of the past ages of his vener- able profession ; and give his mind to the inspiration of untrammelled thought, counseled by the choicest breathings of the beautiful and the sublime. THE PHONOPHORUS, OR CONDUCTOR OF SOUND, Is one of the important inventions of the day. It is well known that sound is transmitted better and faster along solid substances than in the open air. It is quite as well understood, that tubes concentrate and carry sound with great facility and distinctness ; and the ordinary speaking-tube, in commercial and manufacturing establishments, is familiar to many thousands. The Phonophorus depends upon the general principle of the speaking-tube ; and can be applied very readily to churches, lecture-rooms, private dwellings, and business places. We know of churches, wherein this instrument is applied to forming an easy transmission of sound from the pulpit to the pews of members afflicted with deafness, situated in different parts of the building, so successfully, that the slightest whisper uttered in the desk is instantly audible in the pews, many feet off, connected with it, although not perceptible, anywhere around, a very short dis- tance from these several pews. We are practically familiar with the effect and efficacy of this instrument and can personally recommend it. It has been lately introduced in a number of public edifices in Philadelphia; and we should think the custodians of others would be glad to hear of it. The agent for this city is Mr. Samuel K. Smith.