REVIEW. 



by their correct architecture, but they teach those who have already their houses 

 constructed, how to occupy them, and what should be their aims for their busy, 

 no less than their idle moments. 



We do not propose (nor could we if we wished) to enter into a minute analysis 

 of this large and beautiful volume. "We are even more struck with the prelimi- 

 nary chapter than with the handsome houses figured, and their descriptions, and 

 shall be content to-day with a few extracts, to exhibit the force with which the 

 author grapples with a topic on which it is more rare than would at first appear, 

 to be original, agreeable, and concise. 



Mr. Vaux argues correctly that a simple, well planned structure costs less to 

 execute, for the accommodation obtained, than an ill-planned one. His instruc- 

 tions are well considered, and appropriate to the wants of our country. We like, 

 especially, his remarks on the spirit so rife among us that would consider money 

 the greatest good. When we liear people living in the country talk exclusively 

 about railroad and bank stocks, fast horses, and wine, we pity them, and can adopt 

 the language of our author when he says : — 



" There cannot, indeed, be a more unpleasant spectacle than to see active, intelligent men, 

 with long faces and knit brows, incessantly sacrificing time, health, home, and peace of 

 mind, to the one old ' Moloch' — business, as if perpetual imprisonment were too good for 

 reprobates, and business must, therefore, be converted into a portable bastile for the use of 

 honest men. Every father, whatever may be his position in life, should undoubtedly use 

 his best endeavors to enrich his children, but not chiefly with money. He should rather 

 aim to start each one from a higher point of industrious, liberal civilization than he himself 

 commenced at, and strive to relieve him from the difficulties that obstructed his own path. 

 The exercise of such a spirit of foresight and progress would soon lead to artistic results 

 worthy of the nineteenth century. It is worth remembering, too, that no occupation need 

 be undignified, no labor graceless." 



********** 



" There is a section of the community to be provided for — the born rich. Individuals in 

 this predicament, in some parts of the world, have a gratifying position at once accorded 

 them on account of their property ; but this is far from being the case in America. Tliere 

 is a great deal of toil and consequent wealth in the United States ; still, it is money-making, 

 not money made, that commands respect. The science of spending is imperfectly under- 

 stood, and the unsatisfactory results are apparent enough ; but the idea of a moneyed aris- 

 tocracy is everywhere repelled, at heart, with a scorn so contemptuous that it can scarcely 

 be called indignant. A dilemma springs up from this state of things. Idleness is abhorred 

 by successful men ; they insist, therefore, on their sons becoming lawyers, or doctors, or 

 going into business. Then follows a failure, in the majority of cases ; for the spur to exer- 

 tion that makes such pursuits satisfy men, is, in these instances, entirely wanting, as pecu- 

 niary circumstances do not, in the least, require the effort. Rich Americans fear lest their 

 offspring may be looked on as useless members of society, and the instinct that leads them 

 to do so is well enough as far as it goes, but the natural independent comment on it all is: 

 Why spend so mucli time in making and saving money, if it is to be rather an incumbrance 

 than otherwise to the next generation ? The real difficulty, and it is a serious one, is the 

 limited range allowed by custom to intellectual energy. It is neither fair to the individuals 

 nor to the society of which they are responsible units, that the sons of rich men should be 

 tied down to one or two money-making pursuits ; tliey ought to be in every department of 

 literature, science, and art, not as dilettanti connoisseurs, but as earnest laborers, striving 

 boldly for a higher national excellence than has yet been achieved. This is llieir proper 

 post. Poor men can scarcely afford to occupy it. It is a glorious position — the only proper 

 one for them to assume ; and so long as they neglect it, so long will wealth be misunder- 

 stood and misapplied. The rich should study to be practical theorists, so that the less 

 rich maybe theoretical practitioners. Every young republican of means in America, should 

 aim to be nr/s^ocratic in its literal sense ; that is, to be ' aristos^ — the very best. He has 

 advantages which his comrades liave not. He can aflbrd to give ample, nnembarrassetl 

 study to any subject that suits his powers, and to work out its resources quietly and 

 steadily. He sliould he one steji in advance of the rest of creation — a leader in tli 

 most rank of the foremost band. The value of a class of men thus occupied wo 



