The weekly democratic statesman. [volume] (Austin, Tex.) 1871-1883, 1880-03-18
A Wen Deserved Compliment.

A correspondent of the Houston Age,
writing from Austin under date M arch
8, 1880, refers IN the following compli-
mentary manner to our fellow-towns-
man, Mr.. james Wahrepberger, OF the
firm of Wahrenberger u Larmour, arch
fleets:
The architects here of whom J hear
most are Messrs. WahIeDberger d Lar
mour, and have seen from their office
scme very excellent designs. Mr..
Wahrenberger 1 have personally met
aud become acquainted with. He is a
city alderman as we'll as an architect.
He was born in Austin aud was edu-
Gated in Europe. He is converssnt
with the ideas and tastes of both hemi-
spheres, has already had considerable
experience and more resources and
deeper knowledge than most of those
who set themselves up before the pub
lie as belonging to the profession of
architects. 1t would be we'll for the
country if men of this stamp were more
abundant, and if they were encouraged
according to their wants. l. is sad
reflection on the boosted eduaatIon and
taste of Americans that they are so
easily duped by the adroit loqua-
city of men who call themselves
mechanics, but who are igno ant
of the first principles of the r
profession. have known instsn-
ces where ordinary tricksters have
been employed as architects on build
ings on the strength of drawings In
their possession with their names in
scribed below, but which were EVIL
IDENTIFY by other hands than their own.
The sooner Americans learn to guerd
against such adventures aud lmpos-
tiers, the better it will be for the cause
of substantial, thorough, legitimate
architecture. Merit should have its
reward, impnsture its defeat.
Some of Mr.. Wahrenberger's de-
signs, which 1 have seen display so
thorough knowledge of style and so
pure and elegant proportion of parts,
together with such general tasteful
ness and classical arrangement, that 1
cannot hesitate IN pronoupciDg him, if
not q master, at least q student of very
profound requirements. He is now
experimenting various buildings de
signed by him, in Austin. Among the
rest are the Central M. E. Church,
large brick and stone structure about
105 feet long and 40 broad, and
synagogue, if 1 remember srlght, in
Romsnesque, the dimensions of which
are 80 by 40.
AN ELEGANT RESIDENCE.
must not omit mention here of
beautiful design for private residence
drawn by Mr.. Wshrenberger, hanging
in his office, of which he is excussbly
and justly proud. 1t is In the modern
Renaissance style and presents that
judicious grouping of natural and con-
structive ornaments, and that pleasing
display of sculpture, art and masonry,
which truly set the Renaissance at
the head of all those beautiful pro-
auctions of time and human genius.
known as the styles of architecture. 1t
is intended for an eight roomed stone
built house, of which the arrangement
is as follows:
On entering, dining room on left,
reception on right, library and bed
room open on an interesting hallway
where the staircase is. Parlor at the
head of landing, and three bedrooms
Npening on halls corresponding to
those below.
This is nice arrangement, and pro-
Yides ingeniously for that nice d;scrim-
instion between ordinary and business
visitors and friends without giving of
Tense. But that which pleased me
most with this design was the. richness
and elegance Of its details without lsv-
ish redundancy. Renaissance is Mr.
Wahrenberger's hobby. 1t is the most
beautiful IN my opinion of all the styles
OF architecture that have ever been
evolved from the evolutIons OF human
fancy, for 1t adopted all that was of
the beautiful or perfect about the
Greek orders, does not discord the IN
novstions in Rome, and has found in
its intense desire for beauty and excel
lence room for distribution of delight
full and elegant forms which result in a
product beautiful, grand. magnificent.
This is my humble powers of descrip-
tiou IN the Renaieasrca