The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-06-02
ARCHITECTURE OF NEW YORK.

i To THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD:-
Many of your readers, doubtless, have read In
last Sundays issue the resume of the archtec-
tural progress of New York, and while all will adj
NIT frankly the princely sums placed at the dis
posal OF architects for embellishing our streets,
there are few pretending 10 any architectural
knowledge who VIII feel altogether satisfied with
the results II would be unfair as Ii would be I'M
true, to charge every new building with being
devoid of artistic merit; but speak OF the gene
raty for the few that exhibit original treatment
and careful, unfettered study can with ease be
counted on one's fingers
Now, sir, if one examines the architectural pro-
gress of the past decade In this city, after having
seen the progress made in the cities Of Europe dur
ing the same time, the conclusion that Is forced
upon him i5 that American architecture does
not present such grounds for Boosting of arts-
tic progress as many people are inclined to do and
this feel bound to attribute to that cause which
4 has often been noticed in your columns-namely,
\ the non-recognition of art schools, art museums
and art education generally by the government
Until some step is taken in forming an American
'Kensington Museum" in every city we need never
hope to art nourishing In all its purity. IL Is
not only architects that require such an artistic
Education, but, not excluding the general public,
the workmen who are engaged in carrying out the
architects designs require to be imbued with a
thorough knowledge of the principles OF art.
If space could be granted, the subject is upon
which much could be said; but combining myself to
q few general remarks upon the architecture OF
Broadway, nom the Battery to Union sluar L
think Will be selecting an area that can boast OF
many new and costly cdnces. Among the many
things which strike one, after quiet walk
!up and down this part OF Broadway,
Is the preponderating influence of the Renaissance
school and the almost total absence of Gothic
work. 1t Is strange that when so many opportuni
los for ntt hour
ever poor, should be made to habiltate our COM
mercia blocks In Gothic costume. You alluded in
your article to the new Post Oflce and Court House
but take any of the new corner buildings, and mas
|sve as many are, substantially built they all may
be- and bearing on their faces the impression that
the cost of their erection has been ungrudgingly
given, what, would ask, does any with artis
tic minn see in these works to warrant the opinion
that architecture is in such healthy and lively
states Is it not patent to all that the classic au
thorties still the repertoire Of many architects
that the rules, details and proportions have all
been reproduced with faithfuness that would re-
feet credit on schoolboy after few months
study OF Sir W. Chambers? Is 1t not observed by
artists that the authorities almost wholly and little
or nothing OF the mind OF the nineteenth century
architect stands out most prominent? And what
makes the results more to be deplored stl
ARE the one order, set OF details, one
range OF windows, repeated al 7ou3ean, floor
above door, reminding one Of recurring Gormerls, 7
till it would appear the one grand original thought
OF the architect takes shape in the form of the
stereotyped Mansard roof with iron crustng and
the indispensable flag staff
breadth In treatment the absence Of repose in the
lines, and the great sacrifice OF wall surface to the
gazler II may please some architects to see their
buildings all Uttered over with shadows but the
disposition Of shadows requires some study, and
certainly ought not to overpower the light parts
Then let any one consider how the Mansard roof
a good feature in tself-has been outraged. Do h
we not frequently see 1t, not merely as covering
to building, but serving as the walls OF rooms-s
sometimes as many as three 1lo0lS OF atfcS being
sheltered within it.
Now, sir, one word about the new Post once. /
II may not be wholly fair to criticise unfinished
building, but 1t Is tot carried out, az shown by
the Illustration which appeared in the London
Bultde,' . Few months ago we hardly think the
that the result viii he such as the artistic
world, either in New York or elsewhere, Wn, :
feel proud OF. SO far az IL has proceeded ts mag
mtude, substantially and frcproof construction,
all valuable in themselves will be It's rcdeeming
features. There is nothing In IL as yet visible but
OF vtruyius, or any other father" and moderate
quantity Of common sense could have produced. Z
Another reason which may be advanced TO show
the elessness OF American architecture IL the iron
architecture OF the age IL Is one OF the anomalies
resulting from slavis reproduction. The rehnbili-
tatlon Of this or that extinct form or manner Off
design, instead OF original invention, has brought
us 10 this state that dead as we were before, we
viii by perpetuatiDg this sham, become more dead
8ti TO the objects and interests OF art, inasmuch
as we have disrcgarded the peculiar capabilities OF
this material, and never sought 10 IL as its
position demands. The result IL, as seen Ia those
Iron structures, thorough absence OF all thought
fu design, and routine method OF treatment Z
which sayors more of the iron casting premises
than the art studio.
In conclusion you say in your editorial, an b
America no prince or potentate could command his
people to commence some vast architectural under
taking which IL would take generations To accom-
plish but Few artists, believe, would regret the
presence OF n Napoleon Ill., with his Haussmann to
give an impetus TO the att Either as q President
or municipal ruler, such a man, knowing the benc.
fetal results IN cosmopolitan art and industrial ex-
hibitions would render service to the country far
exceeding any diplomatic trumphs, ana would b.
AMI established system OF art education that VIII
raise America up out Of Its art slavery aud bring II
to the front 10 compete with the Continent Of
Europe. am, sir, yours &C., u.
Ireland, says the London GiODe, offers magnih-
cent field for crusade by the United Kingdom Al
liance. II has six times a. many convicted drunk
ards ~ Scotland with nearly equal population; IL
has almost rs many rs England, which has Well nigh