Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/511

 THE AECHITECTTJEAL EEVIEW AND AMERICAN BUILDERS' JOURNAL. CONDUCTED BY SAMUEL SLOAN, AECHITECT: ASSISTED BY CHARLES J. LUKENS. Vol. I. — Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1868, by Samnel Sloan, in the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States, in and for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania. MONTHLY REVIEW. THE NEW YEAR. ALREADY are we met, on all sides, with greetings most kindly, which go to prove, not that our publication is of itself an entire success, literally and artistically ; but that there was a much- felt want of such a serial, essentially National, in our midst. And here, let us thank those kind contributors who have assisted us with their acceptable articles, hoping they will continue their acquaintance, and add that of many others. The cost of an undertaking like the present is, as a matter of course, considerably more than that of a mere literary magazine. It will, therefore, be our aim and purpose to present our patrons with matter that will be at once useful and attractive to all classes of the community. The public, generally, are too apt to look on our subject-matter as black letter reading, only adapted to geometricians, designers, and artisans. Yet, strange to say, there are no more generally no- ticed productions than those which emanate from the very science we treat of. The eye of the most inconsiderate wayfarer is ever arrested by the appear- ance of a new building ; and such is certain to call forth a decision on its merits in his mind, be he learned or otherwise. Now, the question arises, as to why this independent criticism, possessed and more or less exercised by all, should not have the advantage of cultivation, by the reading of publica- tions on the subject. Why should any sensible man, or woman, be content to look on a fine building, and even be in the constant habit of seeing such'from infancy, yet not know what it is in its appearance that pleases or displeases. Are there not millions of human beings, reared in cities, endowed with the sense of sight, and possessing a natural power of discrimination, who never ask them- selves the question, What art is this that has created these palatial grandeurs — from whence did it spring — and how is the knowledge of it acquired ? It is the work of man, and all men are interested in it. Why then is not the study of Architecture more general ? It is by educating the community up to the required standard, that we may hope to overcome this general ignorance and apathy of our fellow-men ; and one of the means of such education is this, (ill)