Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/413

 1868.] An American Style. 335 To all these questions we must emphati- cally answer, NO I Our architects are no less inventive, than our engineers and artisans. Then, in what are we to find the reason for their apparent deficiency ? Simply in the want of education. Yes, it is an undeniable fact, that the great majority of what are called "American archi- tects" are mere constructors, whose sole effort is to attain fortune, and thus acquire position. Ignorant of all that is required to enable them to venture boldly on a new path ; without the light and experience which education gives ; it is not to be wondered at, that their mental faculties are enthralled by the fear of failure. By education, we would be distinctly understood to mean an intimate knowl- edge of the principles of Taste. an acquirement of that searching phi- losophy, which enables the mind to reason as it runs ; and to hold, with unfaltering certainty, to that which it acquires. The want of such education gives rise to a habit of whittling out fan- cies, governed merely by whim, or men- tal caprice, which may please, or dis- please, the public eye, on their first appearance; but, which seldom gain the respect of the refined observer; and never retain the passing regard of the thoughtless. Such designers as these are the stum- bling-blocks in the way of architectural progress, and it is to be regretted, that they, as a class, are generally possessed of that business tact and assurance, which go so far with the great majority of persons in quest of talent for the erection of their intended buildings. It is true, they look into books for ideas, and it would be well, if they were content to use what they found there ; but — no— a want of that discernment which education gives, will be but too certain to lead them into the folly of tampering with what they do not under- stand ; and thus giving to the public gaze some monstrosity, which has but one effect ; and that is, to alienate the observant portion of the community from modern art. How is such a state of things to be remedied ? By urging on the education of our students in architecture. Not drudging them, as make-shifts, in offices ; but by giving them every chance to study the principles of their great pro- fession ; to grow thoroughly conversant with the anatomy of their art ; to become accurately informed as to the various Styles, and the Orders involved in those Styles ; to wax learned in the sciences (and they are many) which are imme- diately connected with architecture ; and to be ever ready for the acquire- ment of any information, which will, even remotely, bear upon the subject to which they have devoted their lives. Nature offers lessons, which great minds have availed themselves of. As in the simple but beautiful incident in the life of Callimachus, which gave rise to the untiring charms of the Corinthian Order. And how many^of the greatest architects of ages past have stooped to cull a leaf, as a pattern for the adorn- ment of their proudest works. In the Smithsonian Institute, at Wash- ington, a laudable effort was made to- wards the production of a National Order — if not yet time for a National Style. By borrowing the natural graces of our country's cereals, the worthy architect judiciously sought to attain the desired end. Why have not others followed his lead ? Is invention a dead letter, as far as the Styles and Orders of architecture are concerned ? Or, are we satisfied to remain copyists and bor- rowers in an age of progress ? It is not possible, that the profession will always suffer America to be, in architecture alone, " Civitatem ignobilem atque humilem." Let us, in our day, initiate the pro- gress we all desire to see. Let our lead- ing professors come forward, as is their duty ; and invite that co-operation they