SCIENTIFIC TRACTS. 



NUMBER X. 



THE ART OF BUILDING. 



SIR CHRISTOPHER WREN has remarked, that the art 

 of building has its political, as well as civil use ; and 

 national monuments being the ornament of a country, it 

 establishes a nation, increases population and commerce, 

 makes people love their country, which is the origin of all 

 great actions in a commonwealth. 



This is the testimony, not only of one of the best archi- 

 tects that ever lived, but of a very wise and good man, 

 on the importance and utility of architecture ; we there- 

 fore consider the art of constructing beautiful and per- 

 manent edifices one of the most important occupations of 

 man. If architecture is so important, every exertion 

 should be made to advance the proper understanding of 

 all its parts ; every auxiliary should be thoroughly taught 

 to perfect this noble art. 



The advancement of our country in the arts of life and 

 civilization has been most rapid and successful, as is 

 most clearly shown, by the improvements made in the art 

 of building. Within twenty years a progressive and 

 judicious reform has been made in the architectural 

 appearance of our cities, towns and villages ; there is an 

 improved taste manifest, not only in the construction of 

 our national monuments and public buildings, but also in 

 our private dwellings. A very great improvement has 

 also been made in the durability of our buildings, sub- 

 stituting for wood the imperishable materials of stone and 

 brick ; and these improvements are in no small degree 



VOL. i. NO. x. 21 



