The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-25
ARCHITECTURE OF EGYPT.
Rev. Mr.. Interesting Lee
ture at Plymouth Church.

The first of a series of lectures on archi-
lecture by Rev. Mr.. Dewhurst was given
last night at Plymouth Church. The sub
iect was '"The Architecture of Egypt"
The lecturer deals with architecture as it
typihes the people of a nation and not in
it's technical sense. TIL lecture last night
was very interesting to all who are inter-
ested in the study of the human race and
the motives which prompt the ideas and
doing of a nation. The Introductory re-
marks were regarding the origin of build
ing in all it's phases. The hut of the an
Gent Egyptians and the tent of the Per-
slams were shown in a stereoptican view.
From them, through evolution, all the
ancient and modern architecture grew. Tn
tent with it's sloping and curving sides may
vet be seen in the curved roofs of the bam-
boo dwellings of the Persians; while the up
right posts of the hut and the cross piece
above resting upon them, remain in the
stone column and entablature of all Egyp-
tian architecture.
The religion of the people, said the lee
turer, is also to be seen to some extent
in the masSiveneSs of everything Dullt by
the Egyptians. Their religion considered
this life as only a momentary affair, with
a future. dwelling on earth in a more slorl-
fed state. On that account little atten,
ton was given the habitation of the living,
but the labor of a life time was lavished
on a tomb where the dead could rest until
called into a future existence. Ineir care
of the dead in preparing 1t for its final rest
ing place also shows this The archltec-
ture of Egypt is more interesting on ac-
count of the fact that the only history or
the country lies within the walls OF the
now crumbling ruins of its massive temples.
Mr.. Dewhurst then showed the various
stages of the growth of the architecture,
taking the plain column and entabiature
as a starting point. This style OF arch1-
lecture is shown to the greatest extent in
the ruins of the tombS which We're bullt
by cutting long galleries in solid rock, the
roof being supported with plain columns.
Later the columns were used as a means
of perpetuatirg the history of the time,
by the means of hieroglyphics. The pro-
assumed other shapes, in some of mich
the hieroglyphics are absent. The first
notable change was from the plain to the
ffuted column, which was later followed by
a column surmounted by a capital On which
was carved a head enshrouded in the head
During all the changes the entablature re-
manned; the arch being unknown in
Egyptian architecture
One very noticeable feature of all Egyp-
tian building is its massiveLesS. 1t seemed
10 have been built TO last for all time and
il is this that connects it with the belief
of the people that they would return again
to their native land after a certain time
had passed.
The lecture was illustrated with numer-
Gus stereopticon views showing pictures of
the ruins from different parts of Egypt.
Many little points in the history of the peo-
pie and the reason for their peculiar style
OF building were brought out during the
evening. The next lecture of the course
will be given two weeks from last night.
The subject will be The Architecture OF
Greece.