74 DESIGN. 



and put a thin partition flush with the outer face, by 

 which we may get a recess for my side board, and thus 

 virtually enlarge the apartment. Thirdly, poke a little 

 window into the outer wall of this closet up stairs, and 

 fit it up as the required convenience, to which I have 

 before alluded. Fourthly, put the entire house into 

 repair, and give the old work two coats, and the new 

 work four coats of common oil paint." 



Spirits of Memnon, Ictinus and Phaeax, shades of 

 Vitruvius, Buonarotti and Wyckham ! hover around 

 me in merciful protection ; or, rather, give me the bene- 

 fit of your wings, and bear me up and away, where even 

 " the Birds dare not build ; 

 Nor insect's wing flit o*er the herbless granite ! " 



Are we, then, after a course of mighty preparation 

 for emulating the gigantic splendors of ancient art ; — 

 are we, then, (fraught with a swelling ambition, which 

 o'er-floods our continent of modesty,) — are we, most 

 placid Lady Patience, to be subject to the climax of 

 being smothered in the destruction of a lath and plas- 

 ter partition? or employed, partly to amend, but chiefly 

 to perpetuate the clumsy blunders of an ignorant 

 country carpenter? — " Base," indeed. 



— ^ ♦ »■ — 



DESIGN.— A SONNET. 



Inspiring art I that imitates so well 



The grace of song ; the beautiful of story ; 

 The green earth's bloom ; the morning's rosy swell ; 



The golden sunset's evanescent glory ; 

 The very ripple of the laughing sea, 



Or its blue waters sleeping in the sun, 

 Or its curled surges whitening fearfully 



Against the sternness of a rocky zone. 

 Delightful art ! whose influence can beguile, 



From their clear depths, the rays o£ beauty's eye, 

 The tender meanings of her maiden smile, 



To fold their sweetness round its imag'ry, 

 O ! soothing art, that figures, ever near, 

 What e'er we linger o'er in joy and hold most dear. 



FRANZ. 



