RURAL ARCHITECTURE, 
355 
The Romans, either unable to compose in the simple ele- 
gance and beauty of the Grecian style, or feeling its want of 
adaptation to the multifarious usages of a more luxurious 
state of society, created for themselves what is generally con- 
sidered a less beautiful and perfect, yet which is certainly a 
more rich, varied, and, if we may use the term, accommoda- 
ting style. The Roman style is distinguished from its pro- 
totype by the introduction of arched openings over the doors 
and windows, story piled over story, — often with columns 
of different orders — instead of the simple unbroken line 
of the Greek edifices. In decoration, the buildings in this 
style vary from plain, unornamented exteriors, to the most 
[Fig. 40. View at Presque Isle, the residence of Wm. Denning, Esq., Dutchess Co., N.Y.] 
highly decorated fagades ; and instead of being confined to 
the few fixed principles of the Greek, the greatest latitude 
is often observed in the proportions, forms and decorations 
