54 Literary Notices. 



turns all the hitherto conceived ideas which the pre-Wheolerite ruralists 

 may have entertained in the premises ; and having pulled down and 

 obliterated all trace of the old school, proceeds to the erection of bis 

 new establishment. His ground-plan being laid out, it becomes necessary 

 to accomplish his foundation, and to this end he obtains a store of 

 material from the inexhaustible quarries of English architectural litera- 

 ture, and by ingeniously dovetailing his own conceptions with those of bis 

 predecessors, and securing and augmenting the whole by judicious selec- 

 tions from " the Glossary" and " Gwilt.," those never failing vade mecuins 

 to the architect, forms an admirable thesis for after elaboration. 



While we cannot fail to admire the eminently practical nature of Mr. 

 Wheeler's suggestions, and to concede to him much praise for an ear- 

 nest, and we are gratified to think, successful effort to improve the taste 

 of the x\merican people respecting suburban art, we are not disposed to 

 adopt bodily any author's predelictions, (even though backed by the high 

 commendation of Lord Fitznoodle, or his Grace of Popkins, or any of 

 the aristocratic patronymics so perseveringly thrust under the noses of the 

 befori^ mentioned Hobbs, Snobbs and Dobbs.) when these opinions con- 

 duce to the exclusion of some as bright effects of rural adornment as 

 were ever accomplished in any European country. We allude to the 

 numerous designs for rustic mansions, cottages, etc., devised by the la- 

 me nted A. J. DowxiKG, Esq., than whom, no man of finer perception — 

 of more just appreciation of the beauties of nature and art, either sepa- 

 ratelv, or in combination — ever existed. 



As an assistant to the Architect, the work would be of little value, as 

 no original ideas are promulgated, either in design or construction, and 

 as it does not obviate, but rather confirms the necessity of employing an 

 architect, the purpose cf its publication is rather indefinite. 



The plans generally are well arranged, and are far superior to the ele- 

 vations, particularly those on pages 142 and 258. At page 9 the author 

 speaks of the Gothic arch as being of Eastern origin. Now the pointed 

 arch of the Saracens and other Eastern nations is of an essentially differ- 

 ent form from that used by the Gothic architects, being wider at some 

 distance above, than at the springing, a form that is never seen in pointed 

 architecture ; the generally received supposition is that it was suggested 

 by the intersection of the circular Norman arches. 



It is, we think, more in interior decoration, that the refined and culti- 

 vated taste, which Mr. Wheeler indubitably possesses is called into re- 

 quisition. In the more expanded appreciation of natural beauty of locale 

 — in the highly imaginative conception of auxiliary splendor, or, in the 



