The republic. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1849-1853, 1850-10-05

THE SMITHSONIAN INSTITUTION. There are few
persons who profess to be qualified to criticss
the productions of the painter or the sculptor
though there many who will express their APP
proval or disapprovai of his productions. In re-
gard 10 all the wide range of the arts and sciences
this same consciousness Of ncompetency is, 10 some
extent, evinced save respects architecture alone
and here very strangely, all profcients. We
can find few who not prepared to pronounce
| emphatically upon the merits of any structure,
from cottage to a cathedral, and that. too in any
stage OF its progress, from the excavation of the
earth for the foundation to the maturity of the of
test tier that is to relieve the prospect as we gaze
upon it.
We are less fortunate. We are conscious Of the
possession of no instructive appreciation of the beau
ties and adaptedness of architectural designs. We
know that we admire come of the several orders OF
architecture for their simplicity, and others be-
cause they ornatej and that certain happy COM
binations produce agreeable emotions within us;
but even these vague impressions received with
Difference TO the judgment Of those who are better
skilled.
In the city Of Washing tom we have many speci-
mehS OF various styles and combinations; yet but
lew that we admire. Some Of the edifces we re-
gard, so to speak, too utilitarian and monoto-
nous for either utility taste; while others the
to the uses of their times, and to the means pos
sessed by the architects Of those tines but for our
day, for the purposes now required and for the ia
cilities we possess, they are but poorly suited
For picturesque beauty for adaptation to its uses,
for strength of construction and for durability of
material, we believe that at future day the Smith
sonian Institution will be regarded most per-
feet edifce. This assertion will doubt be discred
tied by many whose condemnation of this structure
we have already heard We cannot help this. Our
Impressions may be very erroneous, but they are
ours; and we will only yield them up when con-
WINGED by better information than we now possess
Look upon this building But stay-in doing So
remember that field of nineteen acres surrounds
it, and that it will not be completed until the varied
trees of this field shall tower to the heavens, and
their foliage shall overshadow the winding path
ways that will traverse it. Imagine the Institution
thus surrounded, its towers complete, and the
creepingiv entwining them. Look upon it thus,
and you have the most graceful and picturesque
edifce our whole nation can boast We care not
from what point you survey it; new beauties will
constantly arise. From every point its variations
will present as il were ediice, exquisitely or
nate, yet as eminently ute.
Such its exterior effects. Now let us enter it,
Every apartment was planned and contrived with
reference to its uses, before the style of the edifce
was determined upon. Convenience, strength,
symmetry OF proportion, access of light, variety of
adornment the absence of labored effects all i'm
press the mind at each transition.
And yet, a tower section of this structure
may be destroyed, or il may be extended to any de-
sired capacity, without impairng its symmetry.
Such Is the Smithsonian Institution we have
beheld it, We have heard it otherwise described,
but we can yield our judgment only to a demon
straton of its unsoundness. Who will supply such
demonstrations 1t only come from one who
has deliberately examined the subject, and we would
be gratfed to the opinions of those who differ
from us submitted to such an ordeal
We have heard it said that the masonry ia not
substantially but, although its staunch walls are of
various height, there is not the appearance of an
imperfection in them from end to end. We have
heard 1t said that its towers too lightly made; but
we have been assured by good authority that more
substantial towers of corresponding altitude have
IN no part OF the world been constructed. We have
been told that the stone used here is but sandstone
and of 30 soft texture that the rains will wash it
away, or the rosts destroy it, yet the application of
adequate tests has demonstrated il to be infinitely
superior TO any limestone used in this country
and scarcely inferior to our most approved marble.
These tests were conducted by Professor Page, and
the results are recorded in theappendix to "Owen's
Hints on Public Architecture" Yet such assertions
periodically fit around through many of the news
papers OF the country, uncontradictcd and there
fore wearing the aspect of truth
For us we look forward with delight to the day
when this proud structure will be perfected, and
will stand forth monument Of the pure taste of
its architect and Of the accomplished and liberal
minded regents by whom its plans were approved
Whether what we have here said is or is not pol
itc, we have not inquired. We only know that
We believe it to be true