The Washington times., 1901-12-01
A RETURN TO THE
CLASSIC In MARBLE.
Modern Melodies in Architecture
in Washington.
NOTABLE NEW BUILDINGS.
Specimens of Design That Closely
Follow the Example Set by Ancient
Greece and Home-Masterpfeces OF

Such recent structures as the Carnegie
Library building and the new home of the
Riggs Bank are looked upon by many as
presaging a better architectural era for
the National Capital. 1t is worthy of note
that these beautiful specimens Of design
closely follow the classic model set by
ancient Greece and Rome, Essdsi which,
so far as detail is concerned, has been
adopted in the principal public buildings
OF this city, but the subtle harmony OF
which, as regards general aspect, has
been hitherto sadly overlooked. 1t would
seem that success in architectural design
depends not upon detail. however classic
and unexeeptionable. put togther anyhow,
but upon just harmony of all the parts
of building in order that the whole may
be beautiful, majestic. and attractive.
Masterpieces of Architecture.
That this was the secret of the MASTER
pieces of architecture OF past ages is
shown by those works which still survive.
The Parthenon OF Athens, as is attested
even by its ruins, was a melody in mar
BILE, simple in it's lines. but each line
tion with the same precision as is OBJ
served in the notes Of a musical compo-
sition. Beneath the dome of the Roman
Pantheon, the visitor is sensible Of an
impression which he misses in far more
pretertious modern works. The great
architects of the Italian renaissance
spent their lives in study OF the build
ings of the ancients, and produced mar
vels of design, which have been vainly
initiated ever since.
The Return to the Classic.
The return, then, to classic standards
may be welcomed as an Improvement in
that art which is chiefly identified with
the grandeur and beauty of a city. 1t Is
true that the Capitol, the Patent Office.
old Postoffice, Treasury. and War, State
and Navy Department buildings all abound
in strictly classic detail. But this detail
does not seem to produce in any one OF the
buildings named that wonderful harmony,
majesty, and repose characteristic Of clas-
sic models. The Pension Office building
was designed after the model of the Far
nese Palace in Rome, by Bramante, one OF
tile triumphs of the Renaissance. The Far
nese Palace i described by those who
have seen it as producing an effect OF
grandeur and elegance seldom equaled.
but who will undertake to say that like
impression Is CUHNtlt0 Dy MNtS5 DAA
The Libra ~ of Congress building Is In
the style of the French renaissance,
modification Of the Italian, but. though
more ornate, it lacks the dainty elegance
and tasteful gorgeousness OF the Louvre.
or the Grand Opera House in Paris.
Perhaps the failure of so many OF the
costly public buildings of this city and.
indeed. throughout the country, is due to
the fact that attention has been lavished s.
on detail, and the effect of the general
design left to take care OF itself.
Diversity of Styles in Washington.
the dictum of St Paul. "try all things,
hold fast that which is good" has certain
Iy been followed by this city SO far as
architecture is concerned. In no other
city in the world, probably, can such an
agglomeration of styles be seen in pub
lie and private buildings. The Smithson-
ian Institute is literal copy Of Roman
esque building of the tenth or eleventh
century The new Postoffice structure is
largely in the Byzantine style. Any of the
principal residence thoroughfares present
specimens of nearly all architectural
STYLES For stone residences of a sump-
tuous description, the Byzantine was,
and indeed is, in considerable favor, ow-
ing to the rich carving which the style
admits of, and its generally heavy and
imposing appearance. The residence OF
Christian Heurich, On New Hampshire
Avenue, is a notable specimen OF this
fancy. a remarkable example of French
is to be seen in the very strik-
ing residence Of an eccentric lady on Mas
sachusetts Avenue There are copies of
Venetian, Gothic. italian, and Dutch re-
and "Oid Colonial" the latter
type in vogue III this country from the
reign of Queen Anne till about 1910. Some
original specimens of this style are still
to be seen here, such as the Octagon
House. now the headquarters of an arch
itectural club.
Quaint Old Georgetown Houses.
In Georgetown many examples Of the
colonial style may be seen, and here. too,
may be studied the transition to those
succeed structures adorned with huge
wooden cornices, "curliqued' in the most
shapes, and writhing
around the roofs and over windows like
great serpents. Highly ornamental wood
work, and much of it, was characteristic
of this style, which prevailed from the
falling into disuse Of the colonial until q
taste for plainness succeeded, and, in fine
residences, the present tendency to fol-
low European models.
Such houses of stucco and ornamental
woodwork as still survive are, II
general, in a state of great dilapidation.
the plaster having peeled on and the
heavy cOrnice5 and pediments over the
windows become rotten with the action
of the weather One successful example
of this style, however, may be noted in
the recently demolished facade OF the
house adjoining the Arlington Hotel annex
on Street, formerly occupied by the
of Great Britain. II is
doubtful If, for richness and elegance,
this imposing front had its equal in this
h. lot afTl.nr nF
taste in domestic architecture. The heavy
eornice and brown-stone pediments over
the windows agreed admirably with the
general effect of massiveness. The court
in front, with its brown stone balustrade
separating it from the pavement, all
united to make this, to many persons.
the gem of domestic architecture in this
city. and its passing is therefore to be
Proud of Their Burdens.
The early evening suburban trains COM