The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1883-06-03

Inc cO6tiy prlvAto OWouln9B put up Wttnln .
short period seem to show that our architects
are still all at soa about that important branch
Of their business. Three members OF one
family have. at the same time and within few
blocks OF one another. erected three very con-
spicuous mansions as unlike in appearance as
IL they were Intended for people Of totally dlf-
ferent antecedents. tastes. and occupations.
gront many grotesQue gables and oriel windows
and clumsy stone balconies attest the existence
OF passion for the Dutch Renaissance and the
everlasting Queen Anne" and In fine. while
every variety Of undecided and wavering taste
Is represented. there is little to show the pos
session by anybody OF confirmed ideas on the
subject Of house building for appearance.
or the three Vanderbilt houses the one which
wears best Is undoubtedly that which was
designed ard carried out by Mr.. Hunt. 1t was
bold experiment to reproduce in our time q
style so inconseduent and caprcious as the
early French Renaissance. and yet there were
reasons to suppose that 1t might provo O
success. That was u transition STYLE and the
present Is a transition period. II was eclectic.
and our tastes run in all directions. II sacrl-
feed everything to ornament. and In the rcac-
ton from dulinoSs and uglinesS ornament was
considered the one thing ncedful Well. tho
house Is completely covered with ornament
very beautifully designed and quito we'll exc
cuted Its front on the Fifth avenue Is rdicu-
lous. but thar ON the side street and the rear
are very we'll composed. Still it is u failure q
mistake. 1t Is proof that tho style which 1t
affects was only for day that it has had its
day and cannot be resuscitated.
Mr.. Cornelius vanderbit's house in Fifty
eighth street. being n mildor and apparently
more sensible adaptation OF a later variation
OF the same style. furnishes more conclusive
proof Of the same thing Notwithstanding it's
moderation IL ct hn n Ina Ot her
house. AS for Mr.. William II. vanderbilt's man
sion tho less said about 1t tho better. If 1t
could only be treated like Tristram Shundy's
first work 1t might be OF some beneflt to refer
to it. Built cannot. and more's the pity.
| II tho extensive residence that Mr.. Hunt Ia
now finishing for Mr.. Maruuand. on the corner
Of Sixty eighth street and Madison avenue. had
been tho first instead of tho latest example OF
Fronch Renaissance in our city. there would be
some danger OF that style becomin ne the fashion
for a while. We may DO thankful that 1t is
otherwise for If Mr. Hunt and Mr.. Post have
failed in it. what might We not expect from the
half ilsdgcd architects and builders who have
managed in Attempting to follow the lead Of
Mcssrs. Mckim and White to magnify the de-
iccts and minimize the graces Of their manner
80 as almost to bring it into disrcpute before
its orginators had put w half II dozen houses ?
| The Marluand house is mainly in brick but
Nhe-sraihed sandstone has been largely used
III some oil the masses OF the building ana In
inc orhn'hehted portions. lhere Is much less
ornament than in the VIM. X. Vanderbilt house.
but IL Is OF equally charming character.
Though nowhere crowded. tho house may be
SAID to snarkie all over with II. Fiorid capitals
are built into tho wall without any excuse OF
| pillar or plaster: mouldingS forming ogee
arches over round arched doors and windows.
the Use IN connection with the same arch OF omen
cuSps bearing too strong II likeness to lace work.
balustradcs with little figures of genii
| in their puatrefois. keep the eye
amused in all parts OF tho building.
1t is evidently this decorative license
| that has fascinated Mr. Hunt as it Is
that which would play the deuce with
lesser mon If they should be tempted to UNDER
take tho style. 1t has not been without its bad
effect on him. The greater part of the front on
Madison avenue is extremely we'll balanced :
that on the side street muc! less 30. still 1t
might pass; but what but species OF infatua-
ton, born OF the general unreaSOn OF the style.