RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 301 



need of apology for the flagrant and almost constant viola- 

 tion of the second principle, viz : the expression of purpose. 

 By the expression of purpose in buildings, is meant that arch- 

 itectural character, or ensemble, which distinctly points out 

 the particular use or destination for which the edifice is in- 

 tended. In a dwelling-house, the expression of purpose is 

 conveyed by the chimney-tops, the porch or veranda, and 

 those various appendages indicative of domestic enjoyment, 

 which are needless, and therefore misplaced, in a public build- 

 ing. In a church, the spire or the dome, when present, at once 

 stamps the building with the expression of purpose ; and the 

 few openings and plain exterior, with the absence of chim- 

 neys, are the suitable and easily recognised characteristics of 

 the barn. Were any one to commit so violent an outrage 

 upon the principle of the expression of purpose as to sur- 

 mount his barns with the tall church spire, our feelings 

 would at once cry out against the want of propriety. Yet 

 how often do we meet in the northern states, with stables 

 built after the models of Greek temples, and barns with ele- 

 gant Venetian shutters — to say nothing of mansions with 

 none but concealed chimney-tops, and without porches or 

 appendages of any kind, to give the least hint to the mind 

 of the doubting spectator, whether the edifice is a chapel, a 

 bank, a hospital, or the private dwelling of a man of wealth 

 and opulence? 



"The expression of the purpose for which every building 

 is erected," says the writer before quoted, " is the first and 

 most essential beauty, and should be obvious from its archi- 

 tecture, although independent of any particular style ; in 

 the same manner as the reasons for things are altogether in- 

 dependent of the language in which they are conveyed. As in 

 literary composition, no beauty of language can ever com- 



