1317.] 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



65 



ARCHITECTURAL CARVING. 



( JJ'ith an Engraving, Plate VII.) 



Fig. I.— Roaf of Ravenswonh Ciatle Dining-Room. 



Fig. 2.— Stone Wiiuiow— Carlisle Cathedral. 



To our strong consistent advocacy of the introduction into arclii- 

 tecture of real materials, which in modern times have been supplanted 

 by counterfeit, one of the most obvious objections is— where is the 

 money to come from to produce such an architectural effect as we 

 are enabled to do by the aid of compo, papier m.iclie, composition, 

 and such productions? The ornamental work of the Italian facade 

 architecture exemplifies the nature of the effect produced. Abstract 

 reasoning is wasted on these reasoners : perhaps a reference to the 

 practical effect of their doings may throw light on the subject. No 

 doubt they succeed in producing a momentary effect on the spectator 

 when the building is first cleared of its scaffuldiug,— but how long 

 does cheap splendour last? Let the unbiassed spectator walk up 

 Regent-street— Regent's-park— on the terraces at Brighton — and 

 view the motley appearance of the buildings; some of one tint and 

 some of another; one half of a pediment light stone, the other half 

 a dark stone tint ; the divisional line of two houses continued down 



Ko. U4.— Vol.. X.— March, 1S47. 



Fig, 3.— lulairl Stone Paving— Great Malvern Churclr. 



to the ground through the blank windows, and half a column to pach ; 

 — and let him take into account the weather-marks of the winter 

 months, and the peeling off here and there of the dishonest integu- 

 ment, and he shall allow that these patches and stains are as motlev 

 as the rags of poverty,— it is but a beggar's dress which is held up 

 for his admiration. 



It is not to be inferred that, because we condemn the imposture 

 when unsuccessful, we condemn it because it is unsuccessful. Deceit 

 and trickery are not the less detestable because they are occasionallv 

 practised so well as to escape detection. These plaster-clad edifice's 

 have a multitude of faults besides the patchwork. To take one of 

 the most practical arguments as most suited to the capacities of 

 those who constitute our opponents— the stucco usually disguises 

 wretchedly inferior brickwork, of bad materials imperfectly put 

 together. The vile pretenders assume the appearance— the strengtli 

 of stone masonry, while they have not even the ordinary stability of 



10 



