250 Architecture in the United States. 



displayed, first upon their yards and little enclosures, and next within 

 doors. A taste for regulaiity and neatness, thus acquired, is extend- 

 ed by degrees to dress, and even to behavior and manners. The 

 author of a history of Switzerland, describing the fierce manners of 

 the Plebeians of Bern three or four centuries ago, continually inured 

 to success in war, which made them insolently aim at a change of 

 government in order to establish a pure democracy, observes that no 

 circumstance tended more to soften their manners, and to make 

 them fond of peace, than the public buildings carried on by the sen- 

 ate for ornamenting their capital : particularly a fine town-house, and 

 a magnificent church, which to this day, says our author, stands its 

 ground as one of the finest in Europe." 



I now proceed to the more practical part of the subject, and shall 

 consider it under the following heads : 



1. The best ground for a city or town, with the best mode of lay- 

 ing out such ground. 



2. Public edifices and public monuments — with the architecture 

 best adapted to them. 



3. Private buildings and private grounds. 



The reader and I may keep company through an article or two be- 

 side this, and we should be better acquainted before we start. He 

 must excuse then the title : there is no word in the language exactly 

 suited to the subject, and this will answer perhaps as well as any 

 other. He must also excuse some egotism : it will be necessary to 

 apply individual taste to the matters under discussion, and the first 

 person singular must often come in from necessity. On the other 

 hand, he is invited to criticise freely and to find fault whenever he may 

 choose. My remarks will be based on some observation both at 

 home and in other countries, and on some thought and study ; but 

 still I wish no one in verha mea jurare, and particularly in matters 

 of taste. I wish the public to use their own judgment and their own 

 taste, and shall think my time well spent if I can only draw their at- 

 tention to a subject so interesting and important. 



In selecting ground for a town or city, regard should be had to 

 convenience, beauty and health. The first of these is so changeful 

 in its character and so little subject to rule, that we must leave it to 

 take care of itself, which it will never fail to do : health and beauty 

 are fair subjects for our consideration. The usual practice in our 

 country, and particularly in the West, is to give even ground the 

 preference, and where it cannot be obtained, the surface is generally 



