Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1871-04-07
Il. Il. HIGBEE
President Masonic Temple Of Memphis.

THE JONES & BALDWIN PLAN.
The design submitted for the Memphis
Masonic TOmple By Jones & Baldwin,
architects elect of the Association, is on
exhibition at Messrs. Mansfield i Higbee's
drug store. Numbers are attracted 60 the
drawing, not only IS a work of art, but as
a proposed contribution to the arChitec-
ture of Memphis. To estimate the merits
of 81 architectural structure, it is necss-
saTy 10 form q definite idea Of the end in
view. HrO consider the design of q work Of
ar, as one would Judge a picture, or 3
stalue, the best critics w0uh 'likely be mis-
led, unless it be admitted tnat ths psrfsc-
tiOn of art is to unite beauty with utility.
Jones & B8ldWi seem to have been gov
erned by this Interpretation by having
thrse ends in view: 1. External effect
IN the choice Of q style that will give a
unique and striking character to the struc-
ture. 2. Internal arrangement for con-
vsnience and comfort of those who will
occupy the building. g. Interior appro-
pTiatlOn Of apartments in reference 20 iu-
COm6-an end to which the Board of Di-
rectors is pledged to the Association.
To secure the desired external effect,
the choice of style is the first considers
ton. In the present state of art develop
msnt in architecture (mOre particularly in
Am8rica) styles have lost much of their
national characteristics, and all styles are
more or less admissible, provided that
which is adopted is in harmony with pur-
poses for which the structure is erected.
A Masonic Temple, of all buildings, is the
most difficult to render in its architectural
effect equal to its demands-tO blend The
speculative with the "Operative:' to
tone down the eXubsrance of symbols to
ti5 harmony with the mandates of g
style. Architecture in sll its details is
ulgsely woven into the warp and woof Of
es..a IL D
be made the model, the endless r6pet { on
of fruits and flowers, fllets and hligree,
suggests such an elaborate ornRmentstion
that all the beauties of the oriental style
pass before the minds eye; and vain must
be the search among other styles TO ind
one so much In harmony with the artistic
requirements of a Masonic temple To
look to the classic styles, the dorment
horizontal lines will be found at variance
with the desired effect. The Gothic is so
essentially an ecolesiastical style that
when brought in juxtapoaitiOn with the
symbols of Masonry, there Is at
once a marked discordance. The knight
Templer would feel in perfect sympathy
with a style essentially Christian; but his
brother, q Jew and Mason, must object
to behold in his Temple that which he as
yet has not eyes to see, and in which there
Is no form or cOneliness.
It is equally certain that all that per-
tains TO Egypt must be rejected, If Solo
mons Temple DO the type. Things sayOr-
ing of the land Of Pharaoh could not have
secured the sympathy Of the Ancient
Grand Master" Indeed, the style Of
Egypt is 50 massive, even though it be
substantial, that the architect who would
adopt any of its peculiar features, would
be apt TO ind on the structure his epiJRph
in that suggested for Sir John Vsnburgh:
" Lie heavy on him, 0 Earth, for when
alive he piled many load on thee"
Messrs. Jones & Baldwin's design must
be examined TO see how FAR It Is up to the
wants of 2 Masonic temple. They
have ignored much that is COM
mon In modern structures. The
usual heavy and projecting cornioe
isGmitted. The Z" sky outline" Is broken
by turrets and Aniala, 80 that the usual
level lines that render our street srchi-
lecture so monotOnous is avoided. In
their roof, the fashion of the present hour,
in the steep Msnsard roof, is set aside, not
only as matter OF taste, but on the score
Of durability aud economy. OF all roofs.
the Msnsard is the most dilhoplt to keep
in repair, and, indeed, to be repaired; but,
II for no lother reason, 1t should be reject
ed, owing to its requiring fiat roof on Its
summit The steep sides, however ALL
pOWeEf4i ~ resist action of storms. viii
torn but little proteetl6a "a tha decay Of
that fiat roof covering on the top. 4 Man
ssrd roof Is therefore Objectionable, not
only for its expense, but its liability to di-
lapidation. Messrs. Jones & Baldwin
| preferred to oInit this outlay, and
/ appropriate II to the architectural
/ enibeisbEasnt of the facade, whiah
/ would not require distance to lend
enchantment TO the artistic features OF
| the structure, but pleasing to all who are
| ebeered during the hours Of toll by the
| beauties of its Tieh and tasteful exterior.
1 Al come future time we viii describe
/ the interior arrangements. Much hard
] labor Is before the Board Of Directors In
/ ne erection and completiOn Of the pro-
possd structure; we trust It viii prove q
| isbor OF love aa Il must be oas Of profit,