Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/573

 1869.] Science of Building. 463 building. As to convenience, no general directions can be given, since it must be the emanation of the projector's brain, the arrangement of the building, to suit his purposes, must be contrived accord- ing to the uses for which it is erected. Strength is acquired by a just construc- tion ; and the fewer materials hy which it is obtained, consistent with propor- tion, the better. Beauty is the key- stone of the fabric, completes the structure, and gives it a determined character. Magnificence and splendor are ex- cesses of beauty ; simplicity is its great- est charm. The buildings of the Greeks are re- nowned for their symmetry and propor- tion ; though the style is very simple ; while the Romans glory in decoration and gorgeous magnificence ; yet both styles possess the character of beaut}'. Many architects mistake boldness for beauty, and, on the other hand, over- loaded ornament for decoration. It is that nice faculty of comparison and discernment, that is so necessary for an architect to possess, to enable him to steer clear of either the severe or tawdry ; and, by distributing the parts, to combine harmony with proportion. It depends, altogether, upon the genius of the architect, as to how he will suc- ceed in his decorations Ornaments are ill placed, where they may be spared, without being missed ; and empty places are absurd, where nakedness is offensive to the eye, and where propriety would dictate or admit of appropriate decora- tion. All buildings should be composed with regard to the principal part from which they are to be viewed. In fact, nothing but nature, refined by a long study of the best ancient and modern examples, can enrich the mind, and fa- cilitate the hand sufficiently, to excel in this noble art. Successive ages 'of mankind have been noted for some superior buildings. The Temple of Apollo, in Delos, was erected 1000 years B. C. The first Temple of Diana, at Ephesus, burned by Erostratus, was built by Chersiphron, of Ephesus, B C. 600 j r ears. Demetrius, of Ephesus, B C. 540 years, continued the building. Paconius, of Ephesus, B. C. 420 years, finished it, the whole requiring about 240 years in its construction. It was the most magnificent temple of ancient times. Anthemius, of Tralles, in Lydia, 550 A. D., constructed the celebrated Church of St. Sophia, at Constantinople. His style was remarkable for grandeur and dignity. Romualdas of France, in 840 A. D., constructed the Cathedral at Rheims, the earliest example of what is called Gothic Architecture. Robert de Covey, of France, rebuilt it in 1 280 A. D. William Wykeham of Wykeham, Eng- land, in 1350 made the plan of Windsor Castle and the Cathedral of Winchester. Bramante Lazzari — better known by the name of Bramante d'Urbino, of Castel Durante, near Urbino, born 1444, died 1514 — first designed and commenced the building of St. Peter's, at Rome, in 15C6. Fra (jiacondo, of Verona, in conjunction with Raffaelle and San Gallo, carrying it on after his death. Michael Angelo formed much of the plan, as it was he that raised the cupola. Maderno fin- ished it in 1621. It is said to cover twenty acres, and to have cost 1,000,000 pounds sterling. Giovanni Battista di Toledo, in 1560, designed the celebrated palace of the Escurial. Sir Christopher Wren, of England, the most celebrated architect of modern times, was the pro- jector and sole constructor of St. Paul's. All of these men were celebrated architects and builders, in the ages in which they lived, and have left everlast- ing monuments of their fame. The archi- tecture of the present age is dwarfed, when compared to the massive grandeur of the past. A critic beautifully says, that— "jSTothing, certainby, can be more de- structive to the hopes of an enlightened age, of fame among remote posterity, than the decay of an art, whose monu- ments are so lasting and whose triumphs