PLYMOUTH INSTITUTION. 45 



that whole was deemed most worthy which was most perfect in 

 the meaninj^ and fitness of its component parts. The romance of 

 Architecture had had its day, and the new school, even as a no- 

 velty, was likely to be warmly cherished. Roman Architecture, 

 i. e. an Italian edition of the Greek, was invited to England. It 

 was in its nature systematised — defined in detail and combination 

 — subject to laws founded on simple principles — the issue of 

 refined experience — pure and perfect in its kind; these qualities 

 were not obvious in other styles more gorgeous and picturesque, 

 so that it became gradually established on a footing of favor 

 which strengthened day by day. 



An exclusive cultivation of Greek and Palladian architecture 

 was to be deprecated, and it was certainly desirable that tiie 

 term "architecture" should now be understood in a more com- 

 prehensive sense than it has usually been : nor was it a whit less 

 desirable that the architectural student, prior to his professional 

 education, should make himself well acquainted with classical 

 literature; because tlie dead languages always prove a firm 

 foundation, whereupon to fix the superstructure of modern 

 tongues, and when studied as a means, not as an end, would 

 both directly and collaterally be useful in his profession. 



There were three reasons for the partiality shown to Greco- 

 Roman architecture when introduced into England — its mathe- 

 matical certainties — novelty and cheapness. Englishmen 

 acknowleged the grandeur and poetry oftlieir own ecclesiastical 

 edifices but looked on the '^ Orders" as examples of ripened 

 judgment: as a whole the former were surveyed with awe, whilst 

 some of their details might generate ridicule; but the latter were 

 g ized on with undisturbed pleasure, being uniform in plan and 

 elevation, and beautiful in all particulars. The same feelings 

 would actuate them in comparing the classical styles with those 

 of India and Egypt. 



The volume of V^itruvius furnished directions concerning 

 Greco Roman architecture; Rome itself furnished examples, 

 fac-similes of which were multiplied by engravings ; and this 

 architecture was cultivated to the neglect of most other kinds. 



In considering the present and prospective state of architecture, 

 it was stated that a vast collection of examples of all kinds, had 

 lately been acquired by the exertions of Stuart, Revett, VVilkins, 

 Cockerell, Degodetz, Cressy, Taylor, Denon, Belzoni, Chambers, 

 and others, from which architects could study specimens, that 

 might in many cases be worthy of imitation either wholly or 

 partially. England had obtained her knowledge of Greek, 

 Chinese, and Indian architecture, through the exertions of 

 private individuals; but a vast deal more might be done if the 

 government lent its aid, and followed by the example of that of 

 France, whicli has defrayed the expences of Denon's great work 

 on Egypt. The publication of mere views and general architec- 

 tural description was not enough ; the professional man has 



