RURAL ARCHITECTURE. 
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regular variations of these modes of building, may be intro- 
duced with good effect in any plain country, while the more 
irregular and artistical forms, have the happiest effect only in 
more highly varied and suitable localities. 
The Egyptian , one of the oldest architectural styles, 
characterized by its heavy colossal forms, and almost sublime 
expression, is supposed to have had its origin in caverns 
hewn in the rocks. The Chinese style, easily known by 
its waving lines, probably had its type in the eastern tent. 
The Saracenic, or Moorish style, rich in fanciful decoration, 
is striking and picturesque in its details, and is worthy of 
the attention of the wealthy amateur. 
Neither of these styles however, are, or can well be, 
thoroughly adapted to our domestic purposes, as they are 
wanting in fitness, and have comparatively few charms of 
association for residents of this country. 
The only styles at present in common use for domestic 
architecture, throughout the enlightened portions of Europe 
and America, are the Grecian and Gothic styles, or some 
modifications of these two distinct kind of building. These 
modifications, which of themselves are now considered 
styles by most authors, are, the Roman and modern Italian 
styles, which have grown out of Greek architecture; the 
Castellated , the Tudor , the Elizabethan and the rural 
Gothic , or old English cottage styles, all of which are 
variations of Gothic architecture. 
Grecian or classic architecture, was exhibited in its purity 
in those splendid temples of the golden days of Athens, 
which still remain in a sufficient degree of preservation to 
bear ample testimony to the high state of architectural art 
among the Greeks. The best works of that period are 
always characterized by unity, and simplicity , and in them 
