Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/828

 G70 The Architectural Revieio and American Builders' Journal. [April, CLASSIC TASTE. DR. AIKIN, in his Essay on the Application of Natural History to Poetry, truly says : " Genius, which is the power of invention, ransacks every region of nature, science and art, for material, on which she may exercise her powers. The beauties of poetry cannot be completely relished, without a habit of attending to those forms of nature, from which the poet borrows his concep- tions ; and observing with accuracy, the . distinct features and peculiar characters of objects in the vegetable and animal world; nor can the excellencies of a classic building be truly estimated but by those who have had a classic educa- tion." This is all true, to a certain extent ; but, on what is its truth founded ? That, in the studying of those delightful emanations of the Grecian, or the Ro- man mind, when at its acme of perfec- tion, we but pirate the works of those who devoted lives of endless energy and enterprise to discoveries and -inventions in art. The earliest architects were the best professors, and are now the most cor- rect masters we can model after. Their successors may have beautified, what they had already blocked out ; but, cer- tain it is, that they originated the primi- tive forms of beauty in architecture, to be codified, and dressed in varied detail, in after ages. Those early masters, who thus laid the foundation of a world of art, were, themselves, but modest stu- dents, who drew their lessons from Na- ture's Book ; and, b} r close application to the laws which govern her teachings, could not fail to transmit to the world broad ideas of design, so suggestive of beautiful images and forms, that it is no wonder, why those who followed them became so enamored of the task, and so assiduously studied out the precepts laid before them, adding fresh thoughts to illustrate those of the earlier days. Thus, every mind, in every age, threw an additional light upon the first simple art-lessons of Nature's architects ; until the whole became illuminated, and so dazzling to the vision of the enrapt student, that he dared not advance a step beyond them, knowing only that 1 Fools rush in Where angels fear to tread !" Such, then, is Classic Art ; and to es- timate it rightly, Dr. Aikin truly says, requires a classic education. But is not Genius as bright to-day, as in those primitive times ? And are not Nature's works as plenteous and as inexhaustible? Why, then, may not our students, in- stead of borrowing the reflected light, all brilliant though it be, seek the great source itself; and illuminate their minds with its direct influence ? Alas ! it is a pitiable pilgrimage, this of modern architecture. Ever seeking, without deviation, those time-tinted shrines of art our progenitors have left us, until their presence, in our works, becomes a necessity overshadowed by impenetrable superstition. Classic Taste — What is it? A la- bored study of the lessons, which others have taken the pains to prepare for us ; and, through such teachings, to receive those mental impressions, collectively denominated Taste — Classic Taste. Why will not our students in archi- tecture ransack every region of nature, science, and art, for materials to exer- cise their minds ■ upon ? Why is not Natural History a study absolutely requisite to an appreciation of the beau- ties of their favorite mistress ? Where can they look for more ex- haustive lessons, than are to be found in the teachings of botany ? Has chemistry no "claim upon the mind that seeks to make concrete ce- ments, conglomerates, and amalgamated metals, subservient to his constructions ? In fine, does the ambitious aspirant