Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/512

 418 The Architectural Revicio and American Builders' Journal. [Jan., "which we present, from month to month, in the form of a Review. That it becomes a duty, on the part of our professional brethren, to help on this undertaking, their own pride in their art "Will prompt them to affirm. Let the effort be a vigorous and con- tinuous one ; and it cannot fail of draw- ing the attention, sooner or later, of the public at large. When Mr. J. C. Loudon first published his " Architectural Magazine," in the great metropolis of England, in 1834, it was with difficulty that excellent serial was made to live, even there ; although it was the only publication of the soi't in existence. Mark the difference in thirty-five 3?ears. That effort worked in a small way ; but it did work ; and we see the good derived from its teachings now ; not alone in raising the standard of the profession ; but in gathering around it a noble column of educated amateurs and admirers, whose cheering support has placed it in the prominent position it now holds in England. The wave of intelligence has surged to our shores, and we, too, in the hitherto distant America, feel the influence, and warm up to the occasion. The London "Builder," and the sev- eral other admirable issues of English architectural periodicals have a good circulation in the United States ; but they do not meet all the requirements of our country. There is an essential difference between the climates of the old and new continents ; and this fact has given birth to a distinction in archi- tectural composition, as well as to the relative requirements of construction, which renders the theory and the design of the one, in a great degree useless to the other. The long and growing experience of this want of an adequate representative of National taste in Architecture, prompted the production of our Review ; and the flattering support it has already received is a sufficient assurance of the necessity for its appearance, as well as of the determination to sustain it, in a manner at once worthy of its mission and of its importance to the public and the profession. What we have done, in the six months past, is but a feebly growing proof of what our desire is ; and we know that the realization of our cherished dream is dependent on that very support we are now so generously receiving. With regard to our illustrations we have a word to offer : Engravers, in this coun- try, have not as yet seen fit to pay much attention to the study of Archi- tecture, and especially in the minutiae of its details. Now, as it is impossible to do more than produce effects where the smallness of the scale renders details barely perceptible ; it is evident that a knowledge of the subject is actually im- perative on the engraver, who must treat his work as an architect and an artist. How very seldom do we see this done in any thing approaching perfection even in the works of eminent Europeau wood engravers ; although, we must say, the improvement in late years is very great. How then could we expect of our wood engravers to do these things by intu- ition ? The fact is, we must educate them in this matter ; and when thej r see, that, to be reliable in their art, they must make Architecture a study, with a view to its relation to their own require- ments, and that such study is remunera- tive, there is little doubt but they will produce illustrations satisfactory to the designer and pleasing to the public. It is our intention to advance the art of wood-engraving in this, which we may call our own department. And we have hope that yet our engravings will equal those of France or England. It is for us and our patrons to bide the good time coming. With these remarks, we make our New Year's bow, in the pleasing assur- ance of kindly support and enduring friendship, looking forward with confi- dence to 1810, as to a bright station on the progressive course.