DOMESTIC ABCIIITECTUEE, 



ircliitcrtuial plans an.1 dosijjns, aiiil liny would also be more competent to desi<rn and 

 punerintond the erection of tlioir own buildings. There is B.-arcely an hour in the 

 dav in which persons encjai^ed in rural or mechanical pursuits do not feel the neces- 

 sity of bcini; able to sketch with tl.c pencil. lUit what proportion can do it? Not 

 one in ten thousand 1 



Let us urge upon parents the jiroinl-ty. yoa, the necessity, of looking to the matter. 

 Let us also urge it on the attention ot" trustees and directors of schools, and school 

 teachers too. Wo would particularly invite the attention of directors of the agricul- 

 tural schools which are now about being founded in various parts of the country. 

 ^^'e look to them with the greatest hope. The study of drawing, both geometiical 

 and perspective, in connection with the study of the rudiments of architecture, must 

 I'V all means be included in their course. It may, perhaps, be difhcult to get a prftper 

 architectural text-book; we have not met with any that we should consider adapted 

 to schools ; yet there may be some. Our readings and researches in this department 

 we confess to be not very extensive. We do not wish to be understood as hoping or 

 desiring to make every person an architect. I'rofessional architects must not suspect 

 us of any such malicious or foolish design, as that of robbing them of their bread. 

 The information we seek to have disseminated would be a direct aid to tlie profession ; 

 for people would know Avhat architecture is, and as they would be competent to exam- 

 ine and appreciate a good design, and a good drawing, so they would place a jtroper 

 estimate on the labors and services of talented and tasteful architects. 



We \irge upon every person to study the face of nature ; leani the names, liabits, 

 and qualities of trees and plants, that they may enjoy and appreciate the beauty of 

 gardens and beautiful scenes or objects in nature — not that they should all be land- 

 scape gardeners. Popular ignorance of any art or profession, is sure to be a dead weight 

 upon it. If landscape painting were better understood among us, artists in that way 

 would be more extensively employed, and much better paid than we believe they are. 



It is to the ediication of youth — the rising generation, that we must look for a gen- 

 eral and radical refonn in architecture. The circulation of such books as Dowxing's, 

 is comparatively limited, falling into the hands of such persons only as have become 

 interested in the subject. Besides, essays on the general subject of architecture, its 

 importance, influence, <fec., however useful in awakening interest on the subject, are not 

 calculated to impart elementary instruction. Those who are capable of fully under- 

 standing plans, elevations, &c., are the fewer number ; they may be pleased or displeased 

 with the picture, but are totally unfit to go into an examination of the details — the 

 rudimentary knowledge is Avanting. We wish some entei-]")rising publisher wou!<l at 

 once start the publication of a cheap illustrated architectural monthly or quartei'ly 

 journal, under the direction of one or more competent editors ; and, instead of present- 

 ing pretty pictures to the public, such as most of our contributions on this subject are, 

 let them begin at the beginning, and teach first of all the very alphabet. Wc had par 

 tially decided upon devoting a portion of this journal to such a purpose ; but, on reflec- 

 tion, on examining the field which we now occupy, and which is legitimately that of the 

 Horticulturiist, we saw clearly that one or both branches must suffer, and so w^e shall go 

 on as we have done. But we do feel the utter ineflliciency of what the press is now doing 

 is country, to disseminate knowledge and cultivate taste on the subject of architecture, 

 hall, however, do all we can to impart knowledge on this subject 



