Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1891-04-19
STYLES OF BUILDING.
PROFESSOR POLLARD AND CLASS
STUDYING ARCHITECTURE.
They view Many Private Residences and
Public structures-commento on
Soma of Those visited.

Professor John Pollard, of Richmond
College, and his class in English History
spent an exceedingly interesting and pro-
stable afternoon last Thursday in study
ing architecture. as illustrated in some OF
the residences and public buildings OF
Richmond.
The Professor. before setting out on the
tour Of inspection, delivered to his class
lecture, in which he showed how some
knowledge Of architecture was almost IN
dispensable 10 the student Of ,English
history. He showed that though arcnl-
lecture has its root in utility, yet buiiu-
ing might be exceedingly well suited 10
human uses and at the same time possess
no Architectural character. Architecture
appears only when considerations OF beauty
are prominently combined with consldera-
tiops of utility. He also explained that In
the proposed study his object would not
be to unfold the principles and history OF
this art. but to give 10 each student such
practical acquaintance with the main fea-
lures of the principal styles as would en-
able him hereafter 10 recognize these SYKES
whenever seen, and thus indirectly stiinuss
late on interest in the Wnoio suo spc;sO ~
peoples that developed architecture OF
their own were the Egyptians, Assyrians'
Hindoos, Persians, Greeks, and Romans.
In Richmond we seldom meet with any
ancient architecture but that OIL GIeece
and Rome. The only exception to TINS re-
mark-certainly the only. prominent eA-
ception-is the Medical College.
ADOPTED FRoM THE GREEK.
The Grecian and Roman styles GIN
Guiding their various notifications, ana To-
viyals) we see very frequently, Inc ITO
lessor reminded the class that the Romans
scarcely did more than adopt the archl-
ture of the Crooks, who developed three
orders--the Doric, the Ionic, and the
| Corinthian. which represented respectively
| the strong the chaste, nrd the elegant
These the Romans adopted, and added the
| Tuscan and the Composite, the former
being the Doric simplIfied and the latter
| a modification of the Corinthlan. Inc
Greek orders can be best distinguished Dy
| the columns used IN each, and the columns
Inv their capitals. Passing. then, from
ancient architecture. the Professor rapidly
skeIched. oneafter another-the Norman or
| Romanesoue style. the Gothic in its three
different stages of Early English, Deco
rated. and Perpendicular, the Queen Anne
and the French Renaissance. rms pre-
| liminary discussion was regarded as sum;
Gent TO enable the class to understand
what they would now be invited 10 per-
| sonally inspect.
THE IMMORTAL WALTER.
The Second Baptist curch was first VS.
| tied. The style was recognized as Dorlc'
| The massive futod column was comment
| ed mon. and the abacus Immediately be-
meath the architrave. AS he gazed on TINS
| striking portico some pleasing memories
came TO Professor Pollard. He had been
! credibly informed that the architect OF
] th;s hnildinp was Thomas q. Walter, the
man that has made himself immortal in de-
signino the dome of the Capitol in wash
| ington and in experimenting its erection
| When the Professor was student NJ 20
| lumbar University Mr.. Walter was MS
Sunday-school teacher for three years
| While the class were at the Secono Bap-
fist church Mr.. A. L. West, we'll known
architect of this city, came up by happy
| coincidence. Though Fastening TO his once,
| he tarried for moment ana gave tne
Young men some valuable suggestions con,
corning that art to which he has devoted
his life.
SPOTTED ny sPARRows.
The Professor and his studentsnext stood
| before the imposing facade of st. Pauls
Fniscopal church. The style was recog-
| nized as Corintbian, and special attention
was called to the very graceful nuted
| columns and TO the volutes and acanthuses
| forming the capitals. Among the evils that
the ENGLISH sparrows have inflicted on our
| citv none il 20 be moro regretted than the
| necessity of hiding to considerable eG-
| tent the beauties Of those Corinthian capl-
| tails at st. PauPs.
Park. place Methodist church is pure
| Gothic and very strikingly exhibits that
STYLE in It's early English stage.
The next building visited was the Gapl-
toll. 1t was noted as en- illustration OF the
| Ionic order. Comment was made on the
contrast between the Ionic and Corinthian
column. The capitals of both present the
yolutes. but in the Ionic they are con-
spicuous and uncombined, while in the
| COrinthian they are small and combined
| with foliage ornamentations. The occasion
was embraced for giving some facts IN the
| history of this historic building.
The Medical College was next visited.
| The Professor saw an old TO de wal
auntie" standing near and asked her whal
building it was. Dat" said she, '" IL dee
Medikle Kollig." She was then asked what
| its STYLE of architecture was. She was
somewhat nonplussed, but putting on
| knowing look, she said: "Dat-dat IL WhaI
| dey maik dokters."
This building is exclusively Egyptian, @
fact known by the pyramidal front, the
winged globe and the inverted bell capital
1t is to be regretted that such fine speci'
men of this ancient style IS not IN o more
conspicuous position.
HIDDEN BEAUTY.
In passing the Richmond Female 1nsti
tute it was seen that its design is not
especially marked, but incllnes TO the
italian. Several of the students suggested
that perhaps, like Westminster Abbey, its
most lovely and striking features were
within. "Yes, young gentlemen replied
the Professor, with twinkle IN his eye
1.-THE remark is true, but that architecture
Is from the Divine Handand wemustthere'
fore pass on"
The new City Hall, which. like Solomon
Temple, has been years in building, wa
not overlooked. Here the Gothic was met
for the first time. The structure, how
ever. is not wholly Gothic. The mansarC
roof would seem to connect 1t with the
French Renaissance. The door, arches seen
TO illustrate the Transitional-the stylt
prevailing in England about the twelfth
century. when the Norman was passing
INTO the Gothic. The most of the Windows
are conspicuously Gothic, and so far a.
the unfinished state of the building vii
allow one TO judge, they must be assigned
TO the early English stage of the style q
which they belong. 1t must be admitted
that the architect has made O happy com
binatioI.
GOTHIC CHURCHES.
In passing from Seventh street up Grace
the class noticed that most OF the churche
on this thoroughfare are of the Gothic 20
pointed) style. In the Grace-Street Pres
byterian church the decorated Gothic wa
Observed. e., the upper parts OF the win
dows are ornanlented with curvilinea
tracery.
The new Grace-Street Baptist church re
ceiyed attention. Ii is fine illustration o
Norman architecture. The massive squar
tower and the arch forming perfect semi
circle are conspicuous. 1t has the appear
ance of being formed for endless years.
Domestic architecture was not forgotten
The features of many prominent residence
were explained. 1t was found that tn
older residences having architectural cha
racter are classical in their features, 'whil
those building and but recently built ex
hibit to a greater OF smaller degree tn
Queen Anne style. which Is marked b.
Norman arches, conspicuous gables, cylin
drical bay-windows, and ornamental bricl
work. Ii was interesting to observe tina
in the porches of two of the new residence
on Franklin appeared Moorish columns
which belong to the style of architecture
illustrated in the faI-famed Alhambra.
VARIED But PLEASING.
The tour concluded with an inspection