Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/54

 34 Sloan's Architectural Revieio and Builders' Journal. [July, bricks in the walls, and conveniently- dressed, but easily worn-out soap-stone door-steps — eloquent of the times of the Swedes, Dutch, and Quakers — ■ pictu- resqueness of form has really appeared in our streets. The next desideratum is picturesqueness of color, which no doubt will be exhibited before long. If stores or residences were built of good substantial and enduring materials, with light and ventilation, lofty rooms, thorough conveniences, and chaste style, after the coherent plans, sections, and elevations of an experienced architect, they would cost perhaps fifty, it might be, even an hundred per cent, more than the present expense of the same accom- modations ; but, throwing out the ex- pense of preservation, it would be a com- pleted investment, bound to remunerate in the end. The edifices would not fall; and there would be no need to tear them down. Once built, they would en- dure for many generations. In Phila- delphia, Stephen Girard, formerly, and Dr. David Jayne, of late years, practised upon this principle ; which does not look to the ruling rate of interest ; but constructs out of the best purchasable — -materials, in the best possible mannei -. There is perhaps a mixture of pride and vanity in high architectural abstractions realized in stone, brick and mortar ; but this may charitably be passed over, in favor of those who have done, or caused others to do so well. A good story is current, to this effect, that when the marble steps of the rear of the former United States Bank, on Third street, be- low Chestnut, built upon the bed of old Dock creek, afterwards purchased and converted into his private banking-house by Mr. Girard, gave way, that cool cal- culator drove piles very deeply, side by side, till there was no more room ; and rebuilt the stone-work from the founda- tions, until all there was made secure and solid, at the expense of some eighteen thousand dollars. It is reported that, as it approached completion, he was observed one morning, very early, looking on, with his hands gracefully disposed beneath his coat-tails, saying to himself, " Now it will last forever." Here was something away from the street, which the public did not see, use, or care about. But to him, that subsidence might reach the rear-wall, and ultimately destroy the building. What, then, was eighteen thousand dollars to Stephen Girard, compared with the sense of satisfaction in having secured against possible ruin a noble edifice ? Dr. Jayne's great building is reported not to have netted him in revenue over two and a-half of one per cent. ; probably now does not net his estate more than that. But it induced the erection of many another fine store, and therein the doctor had his reward, beautifying the city of his good fortune and adop- tion, and increasing its prestige among business men at a distance. What cared he for percentage in comparison ? These two men, after having grown highly pros- perous, always acted on the same prin- ciple ; and have had scores of worthy followers, many of whom, like them- selves, have not even been natives of the city they so lavishly embellished. What, then, is the cheap principle in the event ? The expenditure of so much time, taste, and money, as shall enable the disburser to become the possessor of that which — whether garment, mova- ble, store, or house, being of good mate- rial, careful construction, artistic execu- tion, and thorough adaptation — shall answer well and look well, until fairly worn to pieces, after many intervening fleeting fashions shall not 'have a soli- tary representative left. Comparatively, if you wish to spend little, spend without sparing on essentials ; if you prefer to spend much, spend pinchingly upon the ephemeral caprices invented for the ad- vantage of trade. Yet, as customers always seek the truthful trader, prop- erty-owners should always consult the skilled and true architect.