258 Architecture. 



which I think gives as handsome specimens of measured drawings, 

 to work from, in Roman Architecture, as any one I know of. The 

 same will also be found in many other books, which you will probably 

 consult. The Roman Doric, is altered from the Grecian, by being 

 much lighter, and having a base added to the column. The Tuscan, 

 is wholly Roman, and the Composite, varies but little from the Corinth- 

 ian, principally in having the shaft of the column, one diameter long- 

 er. This is really a needless order, as for all light and ornamental 

 building, the Corinthian is the handsomest and there is no objection 

 to enriching its plain Frize, to any degree, although it is generally 

 left, without ornament. When these three Roman additions, or in- 

 novations were made, I do not know. The Tuscan is now almost 

 wholly dropped, for although heavier than the Roman Doric, it makes 

 none of the impression of grandeur, nor has it that look of repose 

 and even of simplicity, that characterizes the Grecian, although the 

 entablature of the Tuscan, is entirely plain, and its columns never 

 fluted. Notwithstanding the richness of the Grecian Doric entabla- 

 ture, and its channeled columns, as they are without bases, and the 

 whole is so much more massy, it has a more grave and severe aspect, 

 than the plain and simple Tuscan. The temple of Minerva at 

 Athens, and that on the promontory of Sunium, of which many correct 

 prints may be found, are fine specimens of ancient Grecian Doric. 

 The pedestals whose proportions are so accurately given in the book 

 mentioned above, and indeed in all other books intended for the use 

 of the practical builder, have been almost abandoned by modern Ar- 

 chitects. There are few occasions, when they are agreeable to the 

 eye, and as applied to columns, are, I have no doubt, entirely Roman. 

 To support statues or vases, was I believe their only use, amongst 

 the Greeks. In building they may sometimes become necessary, 

 to overcome, or obviate, some difficulty, but a judicious architect, 

 will be sparing of them. Your first impression, that the City Hall 

 in Hartford, was Tuscan, arose probably, from the absence of the 

 appropriate Doric ornaments of the entablature. If in addition to its 

 fluted columns, (those o( the Tuscan are never fluted,) it had those 

 ornaments, it would in every thing be completely Grecian Doric, as 

 it is in its proportions. 



The columns of the true Grecian Doric, are rarely if ever, more 

 than five diameters in height, and sometimes less, not diminished in a 

 gently curved line, from one third up, as in the other orders, but 

 from the foot to the capital, in a straight line, as in those of the 

 Hartford City Hall. The State House at New Haven, the col- 



