230 Architecture in the United States. 



ecuted with much spirit, represent the military achievements of the 

 respective emperors, and pass in a spiral line around the pillar, till 

 they arrive at the summit, where stood originally on each, a colossal 

 statue of the hero himself, the grand leader to all these glorious deeds. 

 1 have never looked at these two monuments without pleasure, hut to 

 my eye, there is something meagre and unmeaning in the nakedness and 

 shape of a monumental column without such additions. It will be long 

 before our country will be able to afford such sculpture : perhaps it will 

 never be able to do it ; but this is Httle to be regretted, while we 

 have the cheap and beautiful form of the obelisk left. Every verti- 

 cal object, which is high in proportion to its breadth, and which is 

 not to support a heavy weight, should taper as it ascends, until it 

 comes nearly to a point. Tliis is a law in natural objects, which 

 are ever conformed to the principles of good taste. And as to the 

 statue itself, whether equestrian or not, why put it so high, that we 

 can see only that it is there, and that in general it has the proper 

 shape ? Why not bring it within distinct vision where all the magic 

 power of sculpture can be felt ? Let us rear high our monuments, 

 to tell far and wide our admiration and gratitude for noble deeds, but 

 unless circumstances require it, let us not place the object of this 

 gratitude where it can be at best but dimly seen. With the plan of 

 the Bunker Hill monument, I am greatly pleased. We must be allow- 

 ed, however, to offer one word of advice, unless, as is probable, the 

 subject has already suggested itself. The blocks should be careful- 

 ly joined, or else the jointing should be made to appear very delicate. 

 There is a- high obelisk of white granite at Marseilles, whose effect 

 is very greatly injured by the distinctness of its joints. 



Fountains. 



A traveller from our country to the south of Europe, is struck 

 €very where with the number and variety of fountains. Some ex- 

 hibit splendid jets, in which large columns of water are thrown high 

 in the air, to descend in every variety of form ; some shoot up a few 

 silvery streaks ; some pour forth large volumes of water amid rocks 

 and crags ; while in others it passes through unseen channels into 

 simple basins, and is as quietly withdrawn. Sea-horses, sea-gods, 

 shells, and other marine emblems, are their usual ornaments. The 

 variety of taste is endless. In Rome alone there are more than 

 thirty, of various but costly forms : but of all these, none attracts 

 so much attention as the fountain of Trevi. The reader, who has 



