The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-04-19
4 Tour Of the City by the College Class in
English History.
ANCIENT AID MODERN BUILDINGS.
DIfYercnt STYLES I'm Richmond-The Medical
College, The Capitol. New City Hail. .
and Private Dwellings.
fEnr The Times.l

lay aside DOCKS anu CARES anu i"iAi"4' "'' N'
Accordingly an invitation from Professor
Pollard. of Richmond College. TO his class IN
English history to accompany him on tonr
through the city was eagerly accepted. The
object Of the expedition was to study the
various styles Of architecture displayed in the
principal buildings Of the city.
PROGRESS or ARCHITECTURE.
Architecture. like all the other arts, has had
a gradual development. An old writer de-
scribes the earliest stage IN the progress OF
this art as an attempt on the part OF priml-
tive man TO initiate the nests OF birds ana the
lairs of beasts At first arbors were con,
structed Of twigs Of trees then walls OF dileu
turf, strengthened with reeds and branches;
From huts t. houses the progress was gradual
and easy. The aim Of architecture AS an IT. ,,,
however. is not simply to build for utility'out
to so arrange the parts of structure as 10
give to it unity, grandeur and beauty.
EGYPTIAN WONDERS.
The Oldest specimens Of architecture in the
world. perhaps are found in Egypt Her
massive pyramids, her giant sphynx, prooa,,
bly, older than the pyramids, and the nuns OF
her magnificent temples, are among the Woh-
ders of the world.
And vet these were but the beginnings OF
the art Domes and arches and minarets,
which give such charming variety of outline
We're unknown 70 the Egyptians.
THE MEDICAL COLLEGE.
The Virginia Medical College building is An
admirable specimen of the Egyptian style;
The massive pyramidal pilasters. the winged
globes the columns with receding base ana
capitals resembling inverted bells-these are
the peculiar characteristics OF this ancient
style of architecture.
Crossing over from the Medical College 10
the State Capitol we pass from the Egyptian
to the Grecian style.
THE 0RECIAS STYLE.
The ancient Greeks had three favorite
modes of expression in architectural art-Do-
ric. Ionic and hian-distinguished main
" by the capitals on the columns. Nltruyius,
the onlyj ancient writer on this art whose
works have come down TO US. accounts for the
origin Of these styles somewhat as follows;
The Doric which ia the most massive and Sc
we're initiates the strength and dignity OF a
man: the Ionic. which is more ornate, repre-
sents the decacy and refinement OF wo-
man, while the Cornthan. which Is the most
ornate, symbolzes the beauty and ornaments
of a youthful maiden.
THE CAPITOL.
Our State Capitol represents the Ionic STYLE,
which appears in the voluted capitals OF the
columns -
The cornerstone Of this historic old build
ing was laid in 1885.
Thomas Jefferson, who was then minister
10 France. sent over plans suggested by GER
tain buildings that he had seen and admired
in France, and those plans were adopted, with
some notifications.
GRECIAs DoRIc.
The Second Baptist church is the best speci-
men of the Grecian Doric style IN the city.
The massive fiuted columns, the plain square
capitals and the heavy entablature. all con-
| SHIRE 10 give TO the facade an imposing appear
rl,,~g 10 Ilnrln
| with slightly ornamented frieze.
ooRINTHIAS STYLE.
For n magnificent specimen of the Corinth-
| ian style we go TO st. Pauls church, corner Oh
| Ninth and Grace streets.
Here also we find futed columns. but the
| richly carved capitals present striking con-
| trast to the strong simplicity Of the Doric.
Professor Pollard reminded the party that
| the wire gauze over those beautiful capitals
was not an essential part Of the architecture,
| but was put there to prevent birds from build
| ing nests on the columns.
The base of the steeple Of St. Pauls is
| Egyptian, but higher up the Corinthian style
is again observed.
The columns in the library at Richmond
! College also represent the COrinthian style.
| The college building, however, is mainly of
| the French renaissance. having mansard roof,
and projections over the windows.
THE GOTHIC.
Seventh-street Christian church affords an
excellent illustration of q style that has been
very popular in Europe for several centuries,
and is found in large number of churches in
America namely, the Gothic style. Of which
the pointed arch is the distinguishing charac-
terlstic.
The new City Hall is mainly Gothic. though
perhaps more accurately illustrating the tran
sition period in English architecture from
the Norman tosthe Gothic.
Grace-street Presbyterian church is beau
tiful example of the decorated Gothic style.
THE NORMAN.
The Norman-heavy columns, rounded capt.
tails and circular arches may be seen in the
now Grace-street Baptist church. not yet CON-
pleted.
THE QUEEN ANNE STYLE.
Another style that has long been popular in
| England and America, and that seems TO be
coming more and more into favor is what
is known as the Queen Anne style Ii
is distinguished by a combination Of gables,
cylindrical bay windows and Norman arches.
This seems to be the fayorite style for private
residences in Richmond to-day. The elegant
mansion recently erected by Mr.. Ginter on
West Franklin street is n combination of
| Queen Anne, Norman-Gothic and Moorish
styles.
MASONIC TEMPLE.
Professor Pollard pointed out the interest
| ing combinations employed IN the unfinished
Masonic Temple on Broad street. The clus-
tered pillars seen on the facade remind one Of
certain features Of Westminster Abbey, while
the columns at the northwest entrance belong
TO the Moorish or Byzantine style
The lingering rays Of the setting sun were
kissing lofty spires and budding tree-tops a
smiling goodnight" and shedding a halo Of
glory arc und the Lee monument as the happy
party returned from their delightful ramble.
ANCIENT ARCHITECTURE.
This interesting study carries the magma
ton through the long. dim aisles OF past ages.
and We linger amid the massive ruins OF
ancient architecture. We are deeply impressed
with the vast expenditure of time and labor
and money displayed in the erection and en-
Enlistment Of odifces which must sooner OF
later yield 10 the destructive forces Of nature
and - resolved into their original elements.
But the most interesting fact, perhaps, in
| connection with this subject. Is that the most
| perfect forms Of architecture IN all ages are
found in temples erected for either Pagan OF
Christian worship No other class of build
| lngs public or private. can compare with
heather temples and Christian churches IN
grandeur and beauty
HEATHEN TEMPLES.
The ruins of Egyptian temples that were
grand and imposing in their simplicity: the
temple of Solomon at Jerusalem. withits mas.
| sive walls, its tesselated floors and richly
| gllded decorations; the temple of Diana al
| Ephesus. one of the seven wonders of the
| world; and the numberless. costly and beau
tiful Christian temples of Europe and Amer.
lea. representing all commendable STYLES and
| combinations of architectural art bear wit