§32. NATURAL OBJECTS. 225 



of those parts is the ornamentation. In a building we do not 

 look for copies of natural objects ; they are opposed to the 

 character of so artificial a creation ; and it is as inconsistent to 

 represent real plants climbing up its walls, as to make columns 

 in the form of trees. We only excuse these errors in an 

 Egyptian temple, as we there and there only excuse a capital 

 composed of one or four human heads. Flowers have no 

 connection with, or relationship to, a building ; and the atten- 

 tion being arrested by so many representations of real objects 

 (for, however unintentionally, it is always disposed to inquire 

 whether the resemblance is successful), becomes diverted 

 from that more important consideration, — the effect of the 

 building, of which they are merely ornamental accessories. 



It is true that statues are introduced in buildings, both 

 internally and externally, and they are real representations of 

 natural objects ; but they are not on a par with mere orna- 

 mentation, and though subservient to the general effect, with 

 which they should never interfere, they are not degraded to 

 the level of a mere moulding, or a pattern. We have statues, 

 pictures, and frescoes in our houses and public buildings ; but 

 they are not mere ornaments, like mouldings, or the decora- 

 tive parts of architecture ; they are admired for their own 

 merits. But this is not the case with ornamental details, 

 which depend for the approbation they obtain on the office 

 they fulfil in the building, and are inseparable from the 

 purpose for which they are placed there. 



Again, if we imitate the exact form, we must copy with 

 equal fidelity the particular hue of the plant; and as the 

 colours we select in decorating a building are conventional, 

 and depend upon their position, it must happen that the 

 colour of the plant will not always be the proper one ; while 

 the .conventional rose, or other flower, may assume whatever 

 hue is required for the harmony of the surrounding objects. 

 We cannot have here a red, .there a blue, or a golden rose, 



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