Architecture. 257 



Art. VI. — Architecture.'^ 



Introductory Remarks. — The following observations appeared to 

 me happily adapted to convey to young people some elementary 

 ideas of architecture, about which, especially as regards the orders, 

 their views are often confused and imperfect. The author has kindly 

 yielded to my request in permitting these notices to appear in this 

 Journal, in which the fine arts might advantageously occupy a more 

 considerable space, than they have hitherto done. — Editor. 



Hartford, February, 1833. 

 To Mr. B , of Seminary. 



Dear Sir. — If in compliance with your wishes, 1 can furnish a 

 few useful hints on Architecture, I shall be gratified ; but my knowl- 

 edge is limited and accidental. I presume that your object is, to give 

 the Young Ladies, (your pupils) such general information on the sub- 

 ject, as shall at the same time be so distinct, as to convey a knowledge of 

 the different orders, so far at least, that when hearing a fine building 

 somewhat technically described, or seeing it externally for the first 

 time, they may have it in their power to determine upon its style, 

 have a correct impression of it upon their minds, and be able to 

 understand, why its proportions and decorations, make a pleasing, or 

 disagreeable impression. 



The Grecian, orders are but three, the Doric, Ionic and the Corin- 

 thian. It is common, however, to speak of the Jive orders, of archi- 

 tecture, because in Rome, five orders were in use. The Tuscan, 

 whose column is seven diameters in height, the Doric, eight, the Tonic, 

 nine, the Corinthian, ten, and the Composite, eleven', all of which col- 

 umns, have in Roman architecture, bases to them. I will not go on to 

 enumerate the divisions, proportions and decorations of the other 

 parts, included in the architrave, Frieze and Cornice making up the 

 Entablature, as you will find them all in the book you took from me, 



* To Professor Silliman. — My Dear Sir. — According to your request, I 

 send you a copy of some remarks on Architecture, which a gentleman wished me to 

 prepare for him, by way of assistance, in a few lectures, intended to be given by 

 him to his pupils, members of a very respectable female Seminary, of which he is 

 principal. He has however so much readiness in acquiring and communicating 

 knowledge, that he probably found my contributions, less important than he anticipa- 

 ted. If on reading them deliberately, you do not change your mind as to the ob- 

 ject you had in view, they are at your service, and I may add also, at your »-Js/£, since 

 you are disposed to give to the public, what was intended for private use. 

 Your Friend and Servant, 

 Hartford, April 23, 1833. Danii;l Wabsworth, 



