The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-01-07

higher oasses In England An intellectual and c0rpo
real vgor unknown TO the Same classes In most
other countries Of Europe Where the country resi-
denoe ranks Erst and the town house second in the
scale Of the aifections-wbere the thoughts ars as
il were, enbsmed in the purifying influence Of
rural life, there Is no danger that community will
fall into decrepitude on the one hand or dissolute
ness on the other The most seductive capitals sud
the most demoralizing, 80 far as all elevation Of
thought is concerned, are those which concentrate
all the attractions Of life in themselves, aud whore
void Of rural beauty.
rural residence, If 1t be simple and uHpretend
ing is one Of the best moral tenehers TO the nhabi
tant OF the town. If Il have all the show of tho
town house, and the luxurious habits OF the winter
are maintained in summer, he will gain little by
the change. The most friendly wish to the wealthy
would be that every family might have its COTTAGE
where the ostentstion OF equipsse, the ceremonous
ness OF fashionable attendance, and the luxurious
habits Of the city, might be laid aside for portion
OF the year, and where children might be taught
the salutary lesson q hard one, when necessity is
the frat to teach IT'D that the trappiugs OF artificial
personal dignity. The COST of half dozen city
TREATMENTS would provide such An establishment,
and it would be repaid an hundred fold in health
and intellectual vigor.
Nature has given US around tho CITY country
singularly varied in its outline, from the quiet
shores Of the East river and the SsuId to the ma
jestic scenery Of the Hudson; and with one half
the expenditure which is wasted upon frivolous en-
bellishment, it may in twenty ave years be made
the most beautiful suburban district on the face Of
the globe.
In connection with this subject, cannot forbear
to congratulate you on the marked improvement
which has taken place within the last twenty-hve
years in our domestic architecture. The era of
GTecian pediments and coonades for private dwell
ings happily past, and, it is to be hoped to re-
turn 70 more The substitution Of the Norman,
Gothic, modern Italian, and English cottage Styles
is great gain, both as regards convenience and
Embellishments mr. aipopJ AZ thaua
forms are always in best taste There is great dan
ger OF running too much into ornament, and givioG
= meretricious cast to 0ur domestic Improvements.
While in the city the prevailing tendency to over
load with ornament literally revels in s.ucco, and
deyelopes itself in the most unmeaning nhapes, in
the country is runs wild in pinnseles, fantastic
verge-boards, and in the endless foliatiens and e.
horescences Of the medieval styles. All this is "a
the worst taste. chaste simplicity, adapted TO
our institutions, to the nature Of our government.
the character Of our people. and the equalizing
spirit OF our laws, is demanded by every considera-
ton Of congruity, and every dictate Of good sense
1t We're greatly TO be desired that some architect
would give the rein to his genius, and, rising
above the tyranny of rules, would give birth
to an American style-a style suited to
our means, our tastes, our wants, and the pecu-
liarises Of our climate The English cottage
style, the most picturesque Of all for rural arshtec-
ture. would not be suited to US without essential
notifications. We must have deep verandahs and
protected attics. to shelter US from the scorchug
heat OF our summer sun Our interior arrangements
must have their notifications Also to meet peculi-
arities in our social condition No is equal to
the work who is not thoroughly imbued with the
sprit OF our system, and who has not the strength
to burst way from ali tho bonds with which the DELI
labs Of fashion viii strive to fetter his genius and his
independence Of thought.
There is one sphere Of embellishmeut in which
there can DO no excess-in the cultivation Of trees
and plants, and in the enrichment by artificial cul-
ture OF the nnmberless forms under which exuberant
n q stc hawaA ~ L.
life The simplest dwelling, surrounded by shade
and verdure 10 always attractive It is in these &C
cessares to rural architecture that the great charm
Of the country In England consists Her country
to the test of strict architectural rules In
Decd they are often upgraoeful in design and rude
In execution But with the woodbioe covering IN
the porch and the ivy climbing up the gsble and the
or1ei, and enveopfng thorn in verdure and In shade
they have charm which no others possess Such
as these should wish our rural habitations to b.
Let the wealthy 20 forth from their luxurious city
dwellings, and make themselves familiar with the
beauties OF nature while there is time left to enjoy
them Let them busy themselves in plan ting trees
around their rustic abedes let them teach the vine
where to entwine itself, and the shrub whore to
grow and to flower. Let their children mingle with
them in these primeval occupations the purest aud
the most grateful which life affords; and they shall
be stronger, happier and better men Their chill
aren will grow up with jusser views Of their respon
sioitiss and dntiee, with vigorous fran ~ aud
purer Affections and with souter hearts for the battle
OF HE no man can look out upon the animated ma
ture which is gathering beauty and strength from his
fostering care, without feeling his thoughts elevated
and purified. he knows that his own hand Ys labor
ing with tho hand Of God. and that he himself.
though but created being, with limited capacities,
Is giving 10 the works Of Ws.ig Giey wound ne YER
cav" possessed Thoughts like these diminish the
distance between him and the author OF his exist.
ence and strengthen the hope that there may be-,
when the fullness Of time shall come, higher, a
closer ard heller cooperation.
But. ladies and gentlemen, fear l am dwelling
too long upon this branch Of my subject Before |
resign 1t, cannot foybear to direct your attention
to series of works on rural embellishments, which,
by painful dispensation of Providence i ough
rather, perhsps, to say by the criminal recklesnese
of man-has been suddenly brought to q close
mean the writings Of the late Mr.. Downing, Of New
burg know no works 10 well calculated to give
elevated conceptions Of the dignity and charm OF
rural oceupations--neno which have done and are
doing so much for the establishment of our glo
rious country Nor do know any which teach Y
higher or pursr morality. lt is now understood
that another Of the series, moro extended, and far
SURPRISING its predecessors in its elegance and the
beauty Of it's illustrations was in course of pre-.
psration Under any cireums sanc9s, the death Of
such man ia public bereavement. Coming as it
did, it is still more deplorsblo 1t s irropara ole
loss The country ooald better have spared more
than Of ita distinguished statesmen, jurists
or diviDes Their places might have been supplied,
but his is not likely to be IN our day. 1t Is only
once in an age that man rises up 80 thoroughly
imbued with the spirit OF his profession, and with
the sacred flame Of art knded in his breas. by the
breath of heaven.
There Is one subject Of great interest. which wa,
referred to By tho distinguished gentleman who
delivered the opening lecture and which, am snre,
my auditors will pardon me for presenting to them
with greater particularly. II is subject on which
have bestowed some thought. and, in respect ia
which, made, few years ago, an attempt C am
sorry to say an unsuccessful one) to enlist the
operation of some of our wealthy citizens mean
the establishment in this city Of en- American acade
my Of art, the foundation of which shall be collec-
ton of pictures and statuary, open to the oable,
furnished with all the facilities which artists require
for study and Improvement in their Professions and
with schools Of design for the gratuteus instruction
Of young persons without means With the excep
ton of public park of proper extent consider this
nesrly the only great want Of the city. Popular
cducation is amply provided for by pablo law TIE
preaching OF the gospel is extended by the unsssst.
cd operation OF the voluntary system to every por-
tion of the city The sick are healed, the hungry
fec, and the naked clothed by munihoent nuhlie