Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/832

 674 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [May, Our Churches, unpatronized by gov- ernment influence, are for the most part constructed more for religion than dis- play, and do not venture on vast cathe- dral efforts, yet are nevertheless worthy of their high calling, and fitting testimo- nials of a people's homage to the King or All. Kindred to these, come our places of education ; where the greatest gift the Almighty Donor gave to man, in the form of viind, is developed, and trained to repaj' in grateful usefulness the price- less benefit bestowed. What we have spoken of may be classed as public architecture. Our domestic is likewise essentially re- publican ; for, not being trammeled with a hereditary right of proprietary, we build but to please ourselves, and leaving our constructions to a suc- ceeding generaton, new ideas and fresh tastes are certain to obliterate, if not our memory, at least our habitations, and erect something more congenial to the spirit of its age. Thus it is, that our dwellings, though possessed of all that our wants demand, and something more, are not erected on that scale, or with that solidity which is prevalent in the aristocratic mansions of Europe ; where retinues of attaches, servants, and followers are to be housed, and the courtly pride of ancestry re- tained as long as royalty itself shall sway the land. Here then is a field for domestic architecture, ever varying its features with its generation ; which may in part make amends for the want of those mighty incentives of princety patronage which Europe holds forth in her public constructions, both ecclesiastic and laic. When, therefore, the general govern- ment or that of a State, resolves on building a new institution, of the limi- ted number we require, it is a subject of very great interest to the people at large, and worthy of the most liberal effort ; for the citizens of a State can- not but feel a peculiar interest in their Capitol building; and moreover, it is the leading feature, and stands parallel with the legislative palaces of king- doms. New York, finding her pride of other days, the State Capitol at Albany, fast fading in its architectural eminence, and now altogether inadequate to her growth of grandeur, has commenced a work which shall be worthy of her empire of wealth and taste. Illinois, the young giant of the West, fired with a worthy ambition, has begun her work of raising a Capitol that shall be a source of pride to her, until the ra- pidity of her onward course may, at no distant day, demand a nobler legislative palace still. Iowa has likewise turned her thoughts to Architecture, and determines on taking her place amongst its liberal patrons. Other States will follow ; the younger from necessity, the older in compliance with the promptings of a becoming pride, which urges them to do their part in fittingly illustrating the National taste. Our Domestic Architecture may claim as its truest representatives those first-class streets in all our cities where what is denominated "upper tendom" delights to dwell : and, although they do. not show such breadth of front as the European palaces of the nobility : yet they often display more taste and, al- lowing for the disparity of size, fre- quently, more dignity. The hotels of our cities and even our villages are objects of interest, for their vast proportions ; but their facades too often lack the architecture sque. There are some exceptions it is true, but the main object of the companies who erect them being convenience, comfort, and internal embellishment, there is a ne- cessarily economic arrangement of ex- ternal design. And all such desirable features as breaks in fronts, variety of roofs, &c, are studiously avoided, and in their place are continuous lines of