250 Architecture in the United States. 
displayed, first upon their yards and little enclosures, and next within 
doors. A taste for regularity and neatness, thus acquired, is extend- 
ed by degrees to dress, and even to behavior and manners. The 
author of a history of Switzerland, describing the fierce manners of 
the Plebeians of Bern three or four centuries ago, continually inured 
to success in war, which made them insolently aim at a change of 
government in order to establish a pure democracy, observes that no 
circumstance tended more to soften their manners, and to make 
them fond of peace, than the public buildings carried on by the sen- 
ate for ornamenting their capital: particularly a fine town-house, and 
a magnificent church, which to this day, says our author, stands its 
ground as one of the finest in Europe.” 
. Inow proceed to the more practical part of the subject, and shall 
consider it under the following heads : 
..1. The best ground for a city or town, with the best mode of lay- 
ing out such ground. 
- 2. Publie edifices and public monuments—with the architecture 
best adapted to them. : 
_ 8. Private buildings and private grounds. 
_ The reader and I may keep company through an article or two be- 
side this, and we should be better acquainted before we start. He 
must excuse then the title: there is no word in the language exactly 
suited to the subject, and this will answer perhaps as well as any 
other. He must also excuse some egotism: it will be necessary to 
apply. individual taste to the matters under discussion, and the 
person singular must often come in from necessity. On the other 
hand, he is invited to criticise freely and to find fault whenever he may 
choose. My remarks will be based on some observation both at 
home and in other countries, and on some thought and study; but 
still I wish no one in verba mea jurare, and particularly in matters 
of taste. I wish the public to use their own judgment and their own 
taste, and shall think my time well spent if I can only draw their at 
tention to a subject so interesting and important. 
+ In selecting ground for a town or city, regard should be had to 
convenience, beauty and health. The first of these is so changeful 
im its character and so little subject to rule, that we must leave it t0 
take cafe of itself, which it will never fail to do: health and beauty 
are fair subjects for our consideration. ‘The usual practice in our 
miry, and particularly in-the West, is to give even ground 
nee, and where it cannot be obtained, the surface is generally 
