16 THE SITUATION AND STYLE 



The Grecian and the Gothic styles of architecture prevail alike in 

 our modern villas. The florid Gothic is not in such high esteem 

 as heretofore ; the great expense of the ornamental carving, on which 

 its character depends, may be considered one of the causes ; there is 

 also a solemnity in the style more suited to the sublime, and to 

 a religious character of scenery. The castle Gothic is an imposing 

 style; its character is strength, and as it carries the mind to cir- 

 cumstances of romance and chivalry, it is suited to wild and 

 romantic scenery, and it unites well with the bold and the pic- 

 turesque. The beauty of the Grecian style demands a corresponding 

 elegance in its situation. Mr. Price has observed, that " Whatever 

 comes to us from the Greeks has an irresistible claim to our ad- 

 miration ;" and adds, that " Their architecture has justly obtained 

 the same pre-eminence as their sculpture, poetry, and eloquence." 

 Too frequently, in our modern buildings, a mixture of the Gothic 

 and Grecian styles may be observed ; and it is to be regretted that 

 this incongruity has become more usual than either of the pure 

 styles. 



The origin of architecture is of ancient date : the Grecians 

 divided it into three styles, or orders; — the Doric, Ionic, and 

 Corinthian. The character of the Doric is plain — perhaps the 

 most agreeable to those scenes of nature which are unadorned : 

 the character of the Ionic is more delicate, uniting with chaste and 

 elegant scenery : the character of the Corinthian is the richest 



