The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1892-12-22
OHAUTAUQUA.
ARCHITECTURE.
{ Report for Class A by a. \. w

(RepOrt for Glass A by A. \. W.
The elements of Greek art can be traced in the
architecture of Egypt, Assyria, and Persia.
Eastern traditions, and the tuition of Egypt,
had undoubtedly. an influence upon the archi-
tects of Sicyon and Pastum; but in this as in all
other instances. it is found that the character of
architecture is modified by that of the people.
What the Greeks chiefly strOye after was the ap-
plcatOn of architecture to the wants and taste
of man. Their great secret was that they knew
the range of human vision. BY the simple COM
bination Of straight lines they achieved in arch-
lecture grace, harmony and a great and pre-
vailing sweetness. Their monuments resemble
a man whom 4 rare combination of nobility of
soul and perfect health Of body eevateS above
his fellows. With none but ordinary proportions
they create within us the sentiment of majesty
The history of architecture in England is sim
ply the history Of the social and material prog
reSS OF the country. In proportion as the latter
advanced the former flOuriShed. and the success
SlVe eraS through which il has passed towards
the attainment of their present pre-eminent posi-
uon, marx but so many epOchS in the perfection
OF Ine artS OF civilization. of which architecture
may DE sad TO be one of the best understood and
most important. Like the whole of Western
Europe, they were indebted for their first ideas
an architecture TO Greece and Rome: and though
thelr architects have not proved themselves Gre
tors OF style in that the master genillses of the
forfiier country undoubtedly were. they have at
least 50 modified and adapted what thev Dor
rOWed as to produce buildings eminently suitable
TO the character and traditions of the Anglo
Saxon race and the climate and physical attri-
putes OF the country. SO far as architectural eff
tort IS concerned. there is nothing to note during
the fltter nall of the eighteenth century Sir
Wliilam Chambers, and Sir Robert TAYLOR were
among our most prominent architects and their
style was based upon the Roman. or rather the
IGailan. somewhat later. however, something
OF revolution was effected by James Stuart and
NlchoaS Riyett. who by means of drawings and
ILLUSTRATIONS, falnllariZed the public mind with
the great architectural masterpieces of Greece
Inns caused the Greek style of architecture to
come INTO fashion in England. grow i'm popular
esteem, ana, ultimately. to a considerable de-
sree,reVolutlonlZed theirtaSte in public buildings
Inc beauties OF the Greek style being once rec
oSulZtd' our architects came also in time to give
due prominence to the eNccllencies of the Gothic
ana POINTED styles. and many specimens of all
these styles of architecture are now TO be found
in our chief cities
AS regards domestic architecture England
mas made great progress Of late years-a prOr-
ress which Is most observable in the dwellings
of the middle and lower classes. The country
seats of the nobility are for the most part edf
fees that have been raised i'm former oeucra
tiOns. and not a few date back to periods of his
tOric interest. The CROWN" wealth of the conn.,
try having recently greatly increased the num-
Der of the wealthy middle classes, has made
them great social power in the state and
caused them to initiate the pomp and luxury of
their Supericrs. Mansions of almost palatial
Stateliness have accordingly been raised by
Them which. in addition to exterior architectural
pretensions. are fitted up inside with great
Splendor. And while the rich have thus been
improving and extending their dwellings. a cor
responding Improvement has taken place in
those of the working classes Private enter
PRISE jont-Stocli companies, and public aSSocia-
tons, have all aided il the good work of pulling
down the rotten. ill-yentilated and announcement
old houses that have so long been the reproach
OF our large cities and erecting in their stead
buildings suitable i'll every way for the wants of
human beings. Great alterations in this respect
nave been made in most of our centerS of popll-
ZION; and, though very much yet remains to be
done, the lower classes of to-day are, as re-
CARDS wholesome house accommodations, i'm
measurably better off than We're the generations
immediately proceeding them. Public enter
prise and capital have done much towards the
achievement of this object. but private benev-
olence has done much more NOble-minded la
dies and gentlemen, have given enormous sums
OF money towards the erection of wOrkmen's
dwellings: and the success they have achieved
in this direction cannot be Overestimated. The
good they have done will live after tham, and
their n@fnes viii long he held in remembrance
tied and grateful people. Well may
tntse 5-.lent philanthropists say to others who
have the means. Go and do likewise