Architecture. 259 



umns of whose two noble porticos are more than eight feet diameter zl 

 their base, and the new United States Bank in Philadelphia, are ex- 

 amples in this country ; and in Europe, the famed temples of Pses- 

 tum, of very remote antiquity, built by the Grecians in the south part 

 of Italy, are also examples. Of the United States Bank, I can fur- 

 nish you by way of illustration for your scholars, with a handsome 

 water colored drawing, and of the temples of Passtum, an accurate 

 colored copy, taken from an Italian drawing, which a gentleman to 

 whom it belonged and who had been on the spot, told me was per- 

 fect, and it corresponds exactly, with some fine cork models* I have 

 since had an opportunity of seeing in the Trumbull gallery of paint- 

 ings in New Haven. In most instances, if not in all, I believe that irs 

 the Grecian Ionic the volutes or scrolls which form the principal orna- 

 ment of the capital, have, as you will observe, but four faces, to each col- 

 umn, two presented to the eye in a line with the external architrave of 

 the portico, and two in a line with the interior architrave. The same 

 kind of capitals are found amongst the ruins of Palmyra. In the Ro- 

 man Ionic, the volutes are, almost without exception, like those in the 

 upper division of the Corinthian Capital, with eight faces to each col- 

 umn, presenting themselves obliquely to the eye, and having con- 

 sequently two faces, to each valute, instead of one, as in the early 

 Grecian Capital ; probably this variety in the Capital is entirely a 

 Roman deviation, but if it is not, you will I believe find the truth 

 in the books you will consult, but I am not confident. Those I 

 named to you, some of which I possess, and are at your service, 

 will probably explain this. They contain some valuable information 

 in aid of your present purpose. I have several very correct copies 

 of Roman ruins, many of which are still standing in the neighborhood 

 of Rome, although not grouped together there, exactly as they are in 

 the prints. These will furnish good illustrations to your pupils, of the 

 architecture of ancient Rome. Perhaps I have some views of the 

 modern city, if I can find them in the house I Vv'ill send them. I have 

 in a book intended for beginners in practical architecture, a very per- 

 fect though small print, of the Pennsylvania Bank, which is an ex- 

 ceedingly beautiful specimen of Grecian Ionic, executed in marble, 

 and also of the Old United States Bank, (lately Girards) of the 

 Corinthian. The latter is much handsomer in the original structure,, 

 than in the print, although in front it is more like a richly decorated 



* Presented to Yale College by a Scotch gentleman, John McAdam, Esq., theri. 

 at Rome,, and brought out by Mr. Wm. McCrackan, of New Haven. 



