The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1853-11-06
THE GROWTH OF NEW YORK.


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Cur Catv Architeeturc-N New Buildings.
A Dutch house-sauat and thckset, like Dutch.
man bimself-with its tiers Of roofs, resembling
success MON of cooked hats placed one over the other
with it, multiplicity Of chimney pots, its verandas,
s windows squirting awkwardly in every direction,
It's narrow doorway and antiquased portico-a Dutch
house is interesting object Contrast it with the
fashionable residence next door, towering up six or
eight stories subst snal and yet elegant unassumng
and yet tasteful the type Of modern domestic aren't
lecture. This is fair example Of the change whi,h
half century has brought about In our city. We
have o'erstepped time with gigantic stride. The
old gentleman is too slow for u.s. and when he reaches
the year A. d. 1900, he will find us long way
ahead.
Art is true barometer OF civilization and refine
ment II indicates the prosperity OF people
country distracted by political dscord or overbur
dened with commercial difficulties, has no time to
devote to its encouragement. It is with peculiar
satisfaction therefore that regard the progress we
have made in the art of building within tho last ten
years. Streets Of struggling houses are replaced by
well built, regular, and highly ornamented Tvs Of
private residences, by vast and costly stores, by
magnificent and commodious hotels and the archi-
lecture Of New York, once properly abused, has
assumed Q character peculiarly its own, and now
rivals that Of any European city.
We are not perfect yet, however. We have not I'm
frequently run into characterization poverty for
simplicity, and merer oous decorations for richness.
The latter is more the propensity of our artists than
she former, and it should be especially guarded
against. 1t should be recollected that simplicity
and harmony the very elements Of architectural
beauty simplicity in the arrangement Of a subject,
ana harmony in the combination Of its various
parts; and these not only necessary in the form
and outline of building, but in its details also.
Look, for instance, at that store in Broadway. Can
aught be more inharnonious2 1t was originally
fine massive, substantial structure. Now, the base.
ment has been removed, and iron pillars, quite dis.
prcportionate to its size, have been introduced,
giving us an idea OF an elephant upon the legs OF
al ostrich. But, to return.
New York IL not without its antiquities. Those old
fashioned Dutch houses, scattered here and there
throughout the city, cum osties OF architecture
which the traveller would do well to visit. Their
moGels might grace the collection of an antiquary;
and when we remember that our fathers brought
the brick material OF which they composed TIRES
thousand miles across the sea- interest Is deep
eped twenty fold.
But such objects, interesting as they are, must
give way before tie march of Improvement Every
succeeding year witnesses the removal OF some
quaint eiifce that was wont to attract our no
tce, and instances of tho ar ,hitectural pecu-
harities of our Dutch ancestors are becoming
ra1er and rarer. We recollect one, house in
Fourteenth street, reese nbng nothing that we know
Of either in heaven above or in the earth beneath
or in the waters under the earth, and which, there
fore might be worshipped without breaking the COM
msndment 1t must be surprised to find its position
as well its claims to superiority so changed in the
space Of fourscore years-removed from the solitude
of wilderness to the centre Of mighty city. The
contrast is iorcibe one. Our improvements in do
nestle architecture could not be better exempfed;
and the picture presented is by no means an ex.
aggerated type of the rapidity with which we are
travelling along the road Of material progress.
Time was when man regarded architecture as ON
art to be devoted to one especial purpose Provided
his church all that ma gni6cent, and all that
was beautiful he was content. To-day, the traveller
may wander through the streets Of New York, and
among the two hundred and seventy churches which
the city contains will seek in vaia for one to be
compared either in size or splendor with the time
worn cathedrals Of every European town. He will
find, no doubt much to admire. He will find beauty,
simplicity, and harmony in the architecture Of most
Of our places Of public worship. He will be charmed
with Trinity and Grace churches, but he will see
nothing attempted, even there, on Q grand or i'm
posing scale. 1t is not our boast that expenditure
has been lavshed and country impoverished for the
purpose Of decorating an empty shell.
Turn to our public buildings-choose the best of
the lot-the City Hail, the Custom House, the Ex-
change, and the Tombs, for example-there is little
ro,m for Wanting our superiority here. The City
Hall, some time considered the finest ediace in
the city, is altogether strangely at variance with the
acknowledged rules of art. We do not mean to as
sert that originality ought to be secuted. Far from
it. Bot in the building in question, there is such
medley of styles Ionic Cornthan, and Composite
mixed up reckessy With some rare inventions Of the
architect-bs own positive style, sort of Dutch Co.
rnthan--thst the structure possesses none Of that
harmony and simplicity which are the true standard
Of beauty. As work Of art, the Custom House is
infinitely preferable to the City Hall. Some object
to it on the ground that its character and application
do not agree. 1t is certainly true that the Doric
order was never used by the Greeks, except in tenn
pies dedicated to their gods least, no examples
ICIudlu W US VI suuCLuTtS Ol OIueT WHICH wore
not for religious purposes But the question is purely
. conventional one, and totally independent of any
architectural consideration. The merit or demert Of
composition mot be affected by the use to which
the edifce is applied and for our part, we see no
reason why the New York Custom House should not
resemble the Temple Of Minerva. Every one admits
that the Merchants Exchange is fine buildings
combination Of the Grecian Ionic and Corinthlan
But there is want Of grandeur about its appear
ance, and it would sink into nsignifcance ii COM
pared with either the Bourse Of Paris, or the Ex-
change in London. Then again We have the
Tombs, much and deservedly admired by those
who like to see some resemblance between the style
Of work and the purpose for which 1t was designed
The Eeyp ian archite .ture-heavy and massive-i,
well suited for prison. An air Of gloom pervades
even the exterior Of the Tombs. The building