106 SKETCHES BY A PRACTISING ARCHITECT. 



when to my surprise he strutted by the window in a 

 coat of fearful scarlet, accoutred with feather, sword 

 and epaulette, and looking great guns ! 



Of course there was an especial clause in his 

 articles of service, exempting him from scaling-lad- 

 ders and breach mounting. 



" Pray, sir," said my patron, " which of the orders 

 of architecture do you really prefer? You must 

 have a preference : all may have much merit, but 

 which the most ? " 



"Pray, sir," said I in return, "uhich article of 

 dress do you really prefer? Your hat, vour coat, 

 breeches or boots ? All may be of use, feut which 

 is most useful ? " 



" Nay sir," he replied, " you speak of things 

 differing in kind. The orders are all of one kind — 

 of one general form — differing only in certain deco- 

 rative features. It is not, therefore, whether you 

 prefer your hat to your coat ; but which of your 

 hats, or which of your coats is it you prefer." 



"Taking the question," said I, "on your own 

 terms, it is still not a question of preference : for it 

 were scarcely less absurd to say, that you prefer 

 your light straw to your beaver hat, than your hat 

 to your coat. A hat is for the head, a coat for the 

 body ; a light straw hat is for a hot day, a beaver 

 hat for colder weather. A chintz dressing gown 

 and drab box coat do not more essentially differ 

 than the Corinthian and Doric orders. The prefer- 

 ence of one order to another will therefore depend 

 upon its superior j^Ywess. Each is the most beau- 

 tiful on certain occasions ; and I grant there might 

 be occasions, when either order could be used with 

 good effect and critical propriety. It is, therefore, 

 fit the occasion should be distinctly stated. The 

 purpose of the building will possibly at once decide 

 the question as regards that building alone. Should 

 the building have a mixed, and undecided purpose, 



