EXPRESSION L\ ARCHITECTURE. 



be in harmony with the order of architecture and the general expression of the building. 

 As in grammar, a word or phrase must correspond to the genius and received forms of the 

 language; so in architecture, the parts must harmonize with the total, — the main idea of 

 which must illume every part of it. 



The subject of expression applies to the inside of a building as well as to the outside. 

 External expression is insufficient; unless the whole be adapted to and indicate its use, 

 within and without: unless the idea of its purpose pervade it, as it were, it is not a true 

 work, and the fact will be sure to betray itself, just as with one who shall endeavor to 

 make his face express what he does not feel. We soon, in any case, detect the look that 

 is " put on." The grand secret of eloquence, it has been said, is to be in earnest; and 

 our buildings will be eloquent if we are sincere and truthful in designing them, — while 

 nothing will give satisfaction that is not thrilled with the genuine sentiment. 



But the use of each apartment in a house should be indicated for its own sake. The 

 ancients dedicated each chamber to the divinity that presided over the use to which it was 

 applied, and decorated it accordinglj^. A room decorated, for instance, to mirth and en- 

 joj^ment was so treated that the ornaments and every object had a tendency to excite 

 pleasing and cheerful thoughts, and promote hilarity. Sleep has its emblems, by which 

 to characterise an apartmeat devoted to that use. The same may be said of festivity, 

 study, literature, art — all have their emblems or associations by which we may indicate 

 dining-rooms, studies, libraries, galleries of art, &c. For many of these there would be 

 no impropriety in drawing upon the mythology, the Apollo, Morpheus, the Muses, and 

 other beautiful conceptions which might yield us considerable aid in this matter. We 

 do not attach sufficient importance to the embellishment of the interiors of our apart- 

 ments. Michael Angclo, Raphaelle, and other great artists, it should be remembered, were 

 wall and ceiling painters to their contemporaries. Attention to this subject would secure 

 us more diversity in the interior of our houses — a desirable object. The natural love of 

 variety requires a different form and character of decoration and finish for each apartment, 

 and as much as possible a different view or scene from the windows; a great relief to a 

 confined invalid. This could be done without having Turkish and Indian libraries and 

 boudoirs in an Anglo-classic or Italian house. Chinese drawing-rooms may please child- 

 ren or unthinking persons, but no man of taste could take pleasure in such puerilities. 

 Here it may be observed that, as in the exterior, the appropriate expression and needful 

 variety would be in a great measure gained interiorly, by having the shape and proportion, 

 size and disposition of windows, doors, and other features exactly adapted to the des- 

 tined purpose of the apartment. This would easily distinguish rooms for pleasure from 

 those for domestic service, as in the latter uniformity has given way to utility, and com- 

 fort has been secured, though it may be at the sacrifice of uniformity' and other conditions 

 of beauty. 



There is a difficulty, I admit, in the characterising of some buildings exteriorly. Ob- 

 stacles are too often flung in the way of truthful design. Sometimes two different, and 

 almost contrasting, institutions have to be provided for under one roof, rendering suitable 

 expression on the outside of course impossible; as in the case of the Assize Courts and 

 St. George's Hall, Liverpool. Some buildings of single purpose, too, it is difficult to cha- 

 racterise: for a railway station, for instance, it would be hard to define the appropriate 

 style of expression. Yet even here a complete adaptation to its purpose will go far to ex- 

 press its character. A railway being for the transmission of goods and passengers with 

 greatest possible facility and speed, large sheds are required, large doors both for in 

 and egress, gateways for carriages and vehicles of every description, — separate sides 



