314 TOWERS AND TANKS FOR WATER-WORK'S. 



would be incongruous to disguise this character under the garb 

 of severe and classic forms which we associate with the most 

 lasting architectural monuments of antiquity; and that, further- 

 more, being a part of the greatest exposition ever attempted, it 

 should undoubtedly be novel, striking, and full of life." 



Proceeding upon these lines, a building was designed con- 

 cerning which its architect says: "Some have attempted to 

 classify it as an example of the 'noveau'; but when I recently 

 noticed an English art critic say, in protesting against its invasion 

 of Great Britain, that this 'noveau' art is 'a malady the pernicious 

 virus of which becomes more acute the further it travels,' I 

 a strong personal solicitude for a properly conducted baptismal 

 ceremony. Let us therefore name it 'Secession Architecture.' 

 Perhaps I will have to explain what secession architecture is, if 

 the name should not make it quite clear. It means architectural 

 liberty and emancipation with a strong plea for individuality. 

 It is a breaking away from conventionality of design; it is more 

 an architecture of feeling than formula. Editorially commenting 

 upon the building and the explanation of its author, one of the 

 technical papers says: 'If ive were to engage in speculation as 

 to the style of architecture which this remarkable design repre- 

 sents, we would suggest, as Ionic pilasters and Doric columns 

 unite to support a Spanish roof surmounted by a dome of Renais- 

 sance effect, while Egyptian monoliths guard the entrance to a 

 doorway ornamented by Grecian fretwork, and a number of 

 additional styles have evidently 'felt' their way into the composi- 

 tion, it would be more appropriate to call it mongrel architecture. 

 To attempt to succeed by departing from all recognized laws of 

 artistic design may result in 'novel and striking forms, but noth- 

 ing can be produced in this way which will receive the world's 

 admiration as did the famous 'White City' on the shore of Lake 

 Michigan." 



Possibly with the memory of some such atrocity of design or 

 with prophetic vision, a few years since the Engineering Record 



