228 / Architecture in the United States. 



siitutions, lor we believe them good ; let the objects we associate 

 strongly with tliese laws and institutions, objects to be seen every day 

 by them, and to influence their opinion of us, let these objects be 

 such as to heighten reverence, at least let them be such as not to 

 provoke their ridicule. How would our feelings for our Declaration 

 of Independence be affected, if the Congress which voted it, had vo- 

 ted also the erection of a capitol, by a silly architect, and if this now 

 stood among us the object of our contempt : again, suppose the same 

 vote had passed, the architect capable, and that the result was an ed- 

 ifice, our pride and glory at home, and our boast abroad — how strong- 

 ly should we be influenced by the association ? And let our architects 

 also beware. Painters are cautious how they dally with their fame, and 

 yet painters, whose names are worth inquiring about, must generally 

 expect to have their productions confined to the galleries of the wealthy, 

 to be seen but by few. The architect's work, on the other hand, 

 stands out in the broad light of day, where all see, where all judge, 

 where all may applaud — and where all may sneer. We should then 

 form our plans witli careful deliberation. A moment's rashness now, 

 may produce regret through many ages. I have at this time in sight, 

 an edifice holding a conspicuous place in one of our handsomest cit- 

 ies — an edifice of substantial materials, and built for posterity, as 

 well as for the present generation. It was erected but a few years 

 since, and people are already sorry that its architecture was not more 

 carefully planned. Had one year, or even two years been spent In 

 procuring and examining plans for that building, what would they 

 have been in the long series through which it is to pass ? The same 

 expense, with only a little more deliberation, might have made it a 

 very beautiful edifice. I have lately examined also another public 

 building, in which the fault of avarice is very strikingly displayed. 

 It is a state capitol. The legislature appropriated for it, at first^ thirty 

 tliousand dollars, together with an old edifice worth about one tliou- 

 sand more. This was found insufficient, and at the end of two years 

 application was made for ten thousand more : nine tliousand were 

 granted, and from the want of this paltry one tliousand, — paltry I say, 

 for it is so in a state treasury — the commissioners, though economi- 

 cal and judicious, have found themselves straitened in all their sub- 

 sequent operations. I went into the representatives' hall : it has four 

 columns which were intended to be Ionic, and the proportions were 

 made accordingly, but when they came to the capitals, it was Ipund 

 that the funds were not sufficient, and capitals were necessarily con- 



