Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/488

 394 Sloans Architectural Review and Builders' Journal. [Dec, In the formation of grand promen- ades, for large assemblages of pedestri- ans, such as are to be found in a public park; or an approach to a public build- ing, straight avenues of ample width, and suitably planted, are, in the greatest degree, fitting and appropriate. Independent of their intrinsic beauty, their very evident utility stamps them with a fitness to the end in view, which is universally acknowledged and appre- ciated. All those who have seen the mall in the Central Park of New York, of a " music day," will have a lively recollection of the effects produced by simple straight lined avenues, and archi- tectural gardening, where large assem- blages of people congregate for pleasure and recreation. As a connecting link between the horizontal and vertical lines of streets and city architecture, and the flowing or curving lines of vegetation and un- dulating ground surfaces, a straight avenue is in the best taste, and harmo- nize the extremes of art and nature by a most pleasing and agreeable transition. It will appear evident that the geomet- rical style has its peculiar beauties; and that its /adoption, to some extent, is necessaiy in the immediate vicinity of buildings. The proper connection of the building with the grounds, is one of the most decided, as it is one of the least attended to, of all improvements. To condemn the beauty of an artificial scene in the eyes of many persons, we have merely to remark, that it is formal. The3' overlook the circumstance, that formality in this case, is only an element of harmony; and is only employed so far as is required, for a harmonious arrangement of parts. It would be diffi- cult to point to a greater perversion of taste, than that to be seen frequently in city gardens and public squares, where, parallel to the straight line of the boundary fence, may be seen a serpen- tine walk, making a turn every few yards ; and every twist in it visible from one end to the other. There is an entire want of harmony, between the two lines, and no compensating advantage, what- ever, to give even a shadow of necessity for the departure from a straight line. In the case of public squares, more par- ticularly, convenience will dictate the best course for the walks, as they are used fora ccommodation as much as for pleas- ure ; and no one prefers on all occasions, to walk round the circumference of a circle, when a line through its diameter is equally accessible. Roads and walks, moreover, are not particularly indicative of any style. They are objects of strict utility, and should only be introduced where and when necessary ; although it is too often the case, that they are run through pleasure grounds, because they looked well on paper, cutting the plan into parts, for the purpose of filling up the space with lines. This is not landscape gardening, notwithstanding it is fre- quently considered as such. Any school- boy, expert with rule and compasses, could furnish such designs ad libitum. The principles of beauty are the same, whether applied to gardening or archi- tecture. In the application of these principles to the development of beauty, the latter has many advantages over the former. The architect operates with in- animate nature ; and, as a consequence, his productions are most perfect the moment they are completed. It is his aim to bring his work as near to perfec- tion as possible, and make it as perma- nent, as stability of position, durability of materials, and strength of construc- tion will allow. All natural changes after completion are steps in the progress of decay. The materials in the hands of the gardener are of such a kind, that many 3'ears are required for its pro- gress towards maturity. His plans must therefore provide for this gradual growth, as well as admit of the many alterations consequent upon the time, that must elapse, between their formation and ulti- mate development. W. S. Washington, D. C.