508 Archilecture — or the Science in Building. [November, 



Avith a massive or a delicate column, all out of proportion, to place 

 the eye upon the column with base shaft and capital symmetrically 

 and proportionally constructed; and correct taste shouW be cultivat- 

 ed here it would seem with more propriety even than in the fashion 

 of our garments and other personal ornaments, to which latter, even 

 savages are not insensible. Extravagance and great expenditure in 

 construction is by no means demanded, but is always to be discour- 

 aged ia rural architecture. Our theory on this point, is, to build 

 your house, whether expensively or cheaply, upon the principles of 

 correct taste. It costs no more to make a neat shoe for the foot in 

 these days, nor so much as in the reign of "^V^illiam Rupus, or in 

 the time of Chaucer, when they were made like a ram's-horn and 

 the points were so long as to be tied up to the knee. 



Good taste, econoraj, and adaptation to their legitimate purposes 

 are all in harmony in rural architecture; and how much does the 

 display of a plain neat architecture add to rural scenery, how does 

 it enhance the rational pleasures of rural life, and must, wherever 

 it is exhibited be to the observer an evidence of agricultural pros- 

 perity, and growing refinement. 



Human pleasure, save what is falsely so sailed, coming from the 

 gratification of the low and groveling appetites and passions, is the 

 result of harmony between nature and the well cultivated intellect, 

 or of the commingling of social affinities of kindred mold, or of the 

 mental tendencies of the soul in their higher efforts to assimilate 

 with the undefiled spirit world. The first of these sources of human 

 pleasure embraces all matters of taste, not the least of which is the 

 rich display of artistic skill in the economy of civilized society, 

 architecture being perhaps one of the most prominent. Did the 

 landscape and lawns of our rural districts wear the habiliments of 

 taste and neatness which proper education and enlightenment would 

 most surely impart, we should soon think we had waked up in a new 

 world. Buildings properly constructed, fences neatly but economi- 

 cally made, trees grouped in natural order around and in front of 

 the house, the grounds in rear graced with garden and orchard, of 

 well selected, well planted fruit trees, these would confer inconceiv- 

 able luster, beauty, and attractiveness to the country, and impart a 

 dignity to our yeomanry to which as now they mn«t ever be 

 strangers. Rural occupations rural pleasures would then be 

 coveted and sought by sage and philosopher, and our young men 

 would not forever associate with them ?weat and toil, and make it 

 their chief effort and study in all their future plans to eschew them 

 as a dire calamity. 



