130 REVIEWS. 



as an attempt to adapt the details of the massive and sombre 

 Eomanesque architecture of the twelfth century, to the light pro- 

 portions, elevated towers, and clere-stories of the latest perpen- 

 dicular, as it merged into the florid Tudor Gothic. The result was 

 one on which the architectural critic could look with little satisfac- 

 tion ; while the scientific student was compelled to note everywhere 

 in its interior, obtrusive evidences of the practical requirements of a 

 scientific gallery and museum sacrificed to the efforts of the arch- 

 itect at mere picturesque display. The admirable lecture room was, 

 indeed, an exception to this ; but its merits were in no respect due 

 to the architect : whose original plans for such a room, occupying 

 one half of the first story of the main building, had to be abandoned, 

 owing to its obstruction by rows of Grothic columns rendering it 

 impossible to apply those acoustic principles which ought to have 

 the foremost place in the consideration of the architect, but which 

 appear for the most part either to be deliberately ignored by the 

 ■whole profession, or at best to be rendered wholly subordinate to 

 mere ornamental effect : even where the subject of such misplaced 

 decoration is a church, a lecture room, or a college hall. 



To the neglect of all practical considerations of climate, or special 

 adaptation, on the part of the architect, the destruction of the 

 costly edifice at "Washington is clearly traceable. Had the building 

 been what it professed to be : a reproduction of the solid masonry^ 

 massive piers, and small round-headed lights of the twelfth century, 

 it would at least have been adapted to the severity of an American 

 winter. In the Eeport addressed by Professor Henry to the Board 

 of B-egents in 1858, after referring with regret to the fact " that the 

 interest of the money expended on the building would have been 

 much more efficiently applied in the development and publication of 

 new truths," he goes on to say : "The changes which have been 

 necessary on the building, to accommodate the increasing operations 

 of the Institution have involved considerable expense. The corri- 

 dors which were entirely open to the north-west wind, have been en- 

 closed with glazed sashes ; a large amount of space has thus been ren- 

 dered available, and a considerable portion of the interior of the build- 

 ing protected from the inclemency of the weather." He then pro- 

 ceeds thus : — " The heating of the building is a heavy item of expense, 

 and must continue to be so until double windows can be furnishedj 

 particularly on the north side, and a more economical as well as effi- 

 cient method of warming be adopted. The smaller rooms are mostlj 



