The National tribune. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1877-1917, 1898-02-10
TOPIC OF THE MONTH.

Much has been said of Colonial architecture
in recent years, and marvellous buildings are
going up in the se-called Colonial STYLE"
which would be n great surprise to the old
Puritans, Quakers, and Knickerbockers,
could they come back and find their names
associated with them.
In some of the old Massachusetts towns,
there are real Colonial buildings dating back
to the period of the Revolution, still standing.
They are large, two-story frame structures,
painted white, with green blinds, with small
panes of glass in the windows, and large
arched doorway or a small portico supported
by light pillars at the front door.
Those who visited the Worlds Fair at Chi
cago and saw the Massachusetts Building will
have a very good idea Of the modern idea of
Colonial building. 1t was a three-story struc-
ture, with a mansard roof, in which was a
row of dormer windows over the front door
a high peaked arch supported by two massive
pillars reaching up the hight of two stories
q balcony projecting from the second story,
supported by clusters of Corinthian pillars,
and on the sides, poTticoes similarly sup
ported an observatory rising from the top,
and on each end of the gabled roof two tall
red chimneys.
This building inside was divided by large
reception hall, from the rear Of which de-
| scended an open stairway to the second floor,
while to the right and left of the reception
hall were the large and ample drawing rooms,
extending back in suits to the great New
England kitchen in the rear. This IS the
Colonial building on an exaggerated scale.
Architecture is an expression of the modes
of life, habit and thought of the people with
which it is associated, climate also being a
| very important factor in its development.
| Thus the Greeks, whose temples are the most
beautiful in the world put up massive struc-
| lures with square corners, fronted with vast
| porticOes supported by immense pillars. The
| Chinese for ages have erected fantastic pago-
das, which are notifications of their nomadlc
tents The Goths, who lived in sterner
climate and whose dwellings were in the
| Businesses of the woods and mountains,
| erected buildings which suggested the arch
ing avenues of the forest paths, with spires
and pinnacles suggestive of the pines and
cedars. piercing the heavens with their ever
green lances.
When our ancestors in England began to
build, they borrowed from the Greeks, or
Goths, or Romanesque, which is a modifca-
ton of the Gothic, and for centuries conflict
went on between the builders who favored
the Greek style ofDnstruction and ornamental
ton and those who found their best express
sion in the Gothic
Our Colonial builders were either British,
who brought theiriideas of construction into
America with them, dividing interest be-
tween the Greek and the Gothic. But their
early structures being of wood there grew up
a composite style, Of architecture Climate
gave varieties to- their forms of evolution
The influence of climate will be largely seen
in the contrast presented by the close, COM
pact structures of New England, and the
long, rambling plantation houses Of the South,
with their surrounding verandas projecting
from both the upper and lower stories.
Until recent years American architects
have been imitators rs our painters have
been in art; and sometimes the combination
of the chief features Of divergent styles of
architecture into one building has resulted
in ludcrous effects There are indications,
however, that a new composite architecture
essentially American will gradually be de-
veloped. This will be done all the more
rapidly if those who have money to invest
will trust to an architect, instead OF insist
ing upon q snowy structure, having no artis-
tic relations to the purposes for which it Is to
be used, or any harmony of proportions. A
grim castle on the street-corner of city for
use as private residence, or pagan temple
to be used as a public office, ought to be dis
countenanced by all lovers of the pure in art
or architecture. AS to the Colonial building
its proper place is in the country, surrounded
by giant trees and spreading gardens
Editor Loyal Home Workers.
To me one of the most interesting events
of the Colonial PERIOD the memory of which
is now revived by the sensational Dreyfus
affair, was the arch relationship of Benedict
Arnold The pleasant association which the
people of France bore with the patriots of
the Colonial period, and which happily has
been fostered by these great countries until
to-day, makes these two events, happening
hundred years apart, of peculiar interest.
The story of both are too well known to |
need retelling
AS baneful az were the circumstances at
tending the treason of Arnold, we should not
let the recollection Of it pass by. 1t teaches
us not to forget that our precious blood |
bought liberty was not acquired without |
much sacriiicial exertion in the face of
almost insurmountable obstacles and that
there were evil minds at home as well as the
enemy in front of US; and with profound
thankfulness for the narrow escape from de-
struction to our hopes, by chance averted
1t viii be an incentive to all patriots to
make it an individual duty to sacredly guard
against a repetition of like occurrences, for
ever in time of peace, as has been aptly said,
is the time to prepare for war.
1t is interesting to note the fact that at
Tappan Town, N. j., second time was
monument erected by British sympathizers
to the memory of Maj. Andre, only to be
again leveled by revengeful Americans.
Rather had it been left standing a continual
reminder of the ignominous death to which
Andre was subjected.
Little less disgraceful was that of Arnold,
who died pauper in London. At Tappan
Town also stand the remains of WashingtOn's
Headquarters where Andre was court-mar-
tailed and executed. 1t is rapidly going to
destruction, and in the course of a few years
nothing will remain save the recollection of
what was once the final scene Of the darkest
conspiracy that evil ingenuity of man ever
conceived.-M. Warner Hargr0ve.
h.H.u. NOTES.