Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/645

 1869.] Modern Ho use-Building. 521 which affection pays to mortality, in the broken flower-vase, so true it is, that " You may break, you may ruiu the vase, if you will ; But the scent of the roses will cling round it still." We have seen some very exquisite thoughts elaborated in stone, which conveyed themselves to the mind at once ; and without any offensive pride of display, although the intrinsic value was considerable. Such, for in- stance, as the full length recumbent statue of the Weeping Angel. Figures are, indeed, very suggestive ; as that of Hope, or even as a group of Faith, Hope, and Charity, an Exhausted Hour- glass, and a great variety of others of like significance. In fact, profuseness of sculptured dis- plaj r is not to be considered taste, how- ever beautifully executed, when that display has reference to the histoiy of one perhaps undeserving of it, and emanates from partiality of kindred. As such, it must not be expected, that criticism will be withheld by sympathy. But, modest expression of thought in these mortuarial desio-ns is the one great essential, which the architect should ever bear in mind ; and urge on his patron, of course, with caution — for this is a point on which the pride of the living is peculiarly sensitive. The archi- tect should also bear in mind his own professional reputation, as well as the unquestionable claims, which the public taste lias on his efforts ; and this cer- tainly should not be rejected by him. Landscape gardening, as well as archi- tectural design, demands a large share of the mental labor required in the laying out of one of our modern cemeteries ; and the sculptor's art here takes an attractive stand, for good or evil report. The less pretension in those designs, the better for the artist's fame, for, in large compositions, the chances of failure in- crease in a fearful proportion. That there are highly creditable de- signs, admirably executed, in many of our cemeteries, throughout the country, we do not wish to deny. But, that there is a vast amount of vapid nonsense is, unfortunately, but too true. It is a subject of growing importance, this lay- ing out, and decorating in fitting taste, the Gardens of Repose, where the loved ones rest in silence, and wakeful Memory presides over their sleep. We invite our professional brethren and others to favor us, from time to time, with suggestive sketches of Monu- mental designs ; and we pray the public to deal cautiously with this delicate subject ; and not- trust the testimonials of their affection solely to the rude hands of the mere stone-cutter, who is but too apt to repeat his one idea usque ad nauseam. We will return to this subject on a future occasion. MODERN HOUSE-BUILDING. THE civilization of the human race, creating established forms of gov- ernment, guarantjing safety and pro- tection to all the members of society, has worked a complete revolution in the buildings necessary for the comfort and habitation of man. In the ancient feudal days, each man's dwelling or castle was erected more par- ticularly with a view to strength and securit}', sufficient to resist the attacks of an} T force that might be brought to bear against it. The insecurity of the times, the want of protection afforded by any controlling power, compelled each man to make his dwelling a strong- hold, from which he issued forth, to war or pre}' upon his neighbor, or to which he retired, to defend himself and re- tainers. The adjuncts of most ancient castles, their moats, draw-bridges, portcullises,