Fremont journal. [volume] (Fremont, Sandusky County [Ohio]) 1853-1866, 1853-07-09
Architecture-TaS!e.

The last number of the Horticulturist, con-
tains an able and truthful essay on American
Architecture which we have perused with
no small degree of pleasure. Its author is
familiar with things as they are in the United
States, and also with the wants and wishes
of the community, and possesses mind alive
to the contrast presented by the badly con-
trived and poorly executed design Of the cot
tages. Even of the wealthier classes, when
compared with tasty arranged house and
pleasant grounds, beautiful garden. and well
trimmed hedges and white fences. In our
travels over the country, we are often struck
with the different exhibitions Of taste, even in
the erection of the most simple agricultural
structures. Occasionally we come suddenly
upon neatly decorated cottage nesting a.
mong "woodbines and honey suckles," which
look as if it might be the abode of the Germs
of Happiness. Here is place where every
thing even to the inmates look cleanly and
happy. The house is not large, but there lie
a fine yard before it and beautiful garden
behind it, and not costly, but plain and
neatly whitewashed fence surrounding it on
every side, while beautiful arbor with rustic
seats, seems to invite the meanest to a peace.
full repose. And how different is the feeling
excited by this happy picture from that
which takes possession of the mind, as we
look at the neighboring domicil. The house
is large brick and must have cost its owner
no inconsderable sum in its erection. But
then look at it, it is huge square building
without porch Or anything else which can at.
ford shade or shelter. No trees are in the
yard before it, (if you can dignity the large
barren space before with that appelation.) j.
The fence is a Virginia Worm and very
ragged at that, and a herd Of swine wallow
ing before the door, warn the passer by
that if he wishes to make an ingress at the
door, be must make up his mind to dispute th.
territory, and run his risk of being caught W
on the back Of some rude "grunter" q grace
fully deposited in one Of the numerous slougl
holes which dot the space before the door,
The out-houses are going to decay. and ev
cry thing in short shows an entire lack o
taste. This is no fancy picture but is draw
from life, and hundreds Of realities presen
themselves every day. Some length o
time is necessary to give, by education, o
observation, proper taste to the American
people. The writer of the article above al
luded to (and by-ths-by we would recon-
mend it to the perusal OF every person. afte
speaking Of the low state Of architectural tast
and examining its causes says:
"The truth is, not that America is dollar
worshiping country, without any love for th
: arts but a dollar making country, with re
: stricted opportunities for aesthetic educatio
as yet; but when this want is freely minis
tered to 10 the spirit that it may be, and it
Justly to be hoped will be ere long, there
> reason to conjecture that correct architectu
!, raj taste will be as universal in the Unite
o States, as is at this present time correc
popular idea Of the nature Of a republica
form Of government We may then hope fo
genuine originality as well as intrinsic beaut
r in American buildings"
a We shall greet the appearance of the tim
$ Of which the writer here speaks. with rigt
o hearty welcome. and long to see In every de-
4 partment, whether architectural, horticu
d tural or agricultural, a display of taste q
: universal as lack Of il is at present.