The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1847-12-04

the arts and sciences and to Christianity
Or ascend to the top of the Girar
College, that beautiful and imposing ed
ifice-gaze forth upon "bright Della
wares noble stream" whitened with tn
commerce of the cities upon its confne
observe 'sPenn's thronged city open
ing to the view," its busy population, it
temples of freedom, its literary institu
tions and contrast the scene with tina
presented in 1853. Turn now to tn,
West--hill succeeds to hill and noun
tam to mountain until. at length, thei
tops are lost in the distance mid thu
wilds of ether-dressed not with thu
rustic garb of the Indians forest: no, ed
ucation combined with nature has re-
moved the sturdy oak, the mountain ash
and substituted the green food Of the dc,
mestic OK, the waving fields Of wheat anC
rye; IN fine, substituted nature herself
pruned only few of those imperfections
which natures God evidently designed
to be performed by his intelligent crea-
lures. But, although the prospect pre-
sented be enchanting, yet the ediflce
from whose summit it is viewed is not
devoid of interest Girard College isa
beautiful specimen Of Grecian architec-
ture-an evidence of refined taste in thu
projectors and constructors Of it. The
New Trinity church in New York is a
noble structure OF the Gothic style of az
chitecture; but does not, in my opinion,
compare in imposing grandeur, in the
feelings of sublime awe inspired in the
bosom of the behoder with this edifice
the muni6cence Of Stephen Girard.
The Grecian style extracts its impos-
ing qualities from nature herself 1t is
a production Of art, yet emanating from
nature herself. 1t is production Of art,
yet emanating from nature and in its
essential properties perfectly in accord
ance Herewith. In the Gothic style,
the multiplicity of circles and seni-cir-
clcs ofangles obtuse and acute, the labor
ed attempt at variety and constant
change, the endless curves and Windings
render it tiresome to the eye of the be-
holder, and subjects his gaze to the most
rigorous discipline in order to trace out
lis pretended and Invisible beauties,
thereby impairing the effect BY the labor
demanded. On the contrary the Grecian
cdificc is the offspring OF natme--its sim
plicity-its unadorned qrandeur-its no.
BILE, sublime, impressive Appearance,
all conspire to render the effect produ-
ced, in the highest degree, sublime and
The one bears the impress
of semi aware tastc-charactc"iZed by
a popularity cminentl Y calculated 70 suit
the taste CT a people just emerging from
a state ofbarbarlsm, and comedies with
the notions of the young tyro in archiiec-
ture and the inventive genius Of 4 people
to civilized state 81 society.
The other is an imitation OF the Sublime
works of natures God, characterized by
a noble simplicity.
As mans taste becomes educated and
refined it is manifest in the production Of
structures and objects more nearly re-
semblino those of nature. and in due ap-
probation of the arrangement and taste
evinced in the order OF nature. The ar
fist who disdains the imitation OF natu-
raj objects should reflect that in the great
Author OF nature resides the concentra-
ted essence of all architecture; and that
in the production of Nature the perfect
science of architecture was exercised.
But this is not the onl y spot in our land
that is distinguished for the great chan
res effected through the influence of ed
ucation; there is scarcely place that
has not felt the energy and vigor OF the
Saxon race. Take New England for eX-
ample. Let us ascend to the summit OF
Mount Tom. Here we stand upon rock
on whose hard surface may be seen the
names of hundreds of visitors indelibly
engraven, Many time has this vener-
pble rock reiterated the crack ofthe red
mans rifle. Many long-drawn sigh
has he heaved while standing upon its
summit, viewing the innovations and en-
croachmcnt of the pale-taces in the val
ley below and around him. Many q
time has the eagle glance of king Phil
Ups chiefs piercedth gray distance from
the top of this rugged mountain to ac'
quaint their leader OF the defenseles'
state of the unwary white man, that they
might wrest from him their beautiful
hunting-grounds. But the scene i
changed-we stand here now TO view
the change that education has effected
We stand upon the pinnacle Of this gray
old cliff, rendered interesting by associa
ton of by-gone days, to recount the chal
ges that have been wrought on the fac
fthe valley by the Saxon race, througl
the influence of education. The bolt
Connecticut, the pride of New England
rolls its waters along the base of thi
mountain. The valley is cob-webed wit
canals and railroads clustering 10
comotive is speeding his way up ant
down and across the vallry-cities an
VILLAGES appear on every hand. Cole