New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1915-06-12

The first building to be signalized with
appreciation on this hypothesis is in
cidentallv to be noted as an illustra-
ton OF the eternal fitness Of things.
California deserves well of the rates
for the energy and judgment she has
shown in the organization OF the falr'
She has created the finest work OF ART
that has ever been seen in this field OF
endeavor; she has made il in every way
a worthy monument to human progress,
and, as any one must see who observes
the event for even a brief period, she
has vitalizad it with strong and gen
erous spirit. II would have been a
catastrophe if her own building had
not reached the standard embodied in
the principal design. AS matter OF
fact il is the best independent struct-
ure at the fair, an unqualified triumph.
Mr.. T. II. +. Burditt designed H.
adonting the style of the old Spanish
Missions in California and doing so not
as pedantic copyist, but as an origi-
nal artist. The scale of the thing rs
immense cit covers five acres with It's
courts and cloisters-and its proper
tions are so judciously studied that IT
has nevertheless, a positively intimate
onality. No other building in its group
has so clearly defined or so sympa-
thetic a physiognomy. II htts ltselt
against the skyline as with sort OF
personal force. There, you say, as
YOU approach it, "lies something frlend-
IL and interesting" and on entering
the inner precincts you are ohIy the
more beguiled. The central feature,
massv pile bearing four domed towers,
looks down upon a garden enveloped IN
Isbvrinthine hedges, once more repeat
ING the note of age, OF permanence,
which counts for so much in the fascl-
nation of the Fair. LinPer IN TINS
st;ll Mace of verdure and flowers,
glance at the sacerdotal figure stand
ing with palms outspread in benediction
from its niche in the lofty, time-stained
facade, and you wonder if you are not
in some sequestered corner OF the Oid
World Mr.. Burditt has made very
beautiful building, in which the ecclesl-
astical motive il adjusted 10 secular
nurpose with consummate tact, and ne
has flung over il an atmosphere OF
picturesqueness and romance. Also ne
has made il vivid Interpretation OF
the very genius of California. Inc
state owes him peculiar dept OF graf
tude. as does the connoisseur OF archl-
,ectnrc. who finds in this building some
Of the most precious qualities IN great
L
In charm. especially, the state build
inrs as a body are pitifully defcient.
/ The few other instances where II oe-
ours arc due to the faithful reproduc-
ton of old models. Virginia does very
well with her reproduction of Mount
Vernon. though the barn-like wings
seem a little incongruous in their
rather empty environment The land
scspe gardener should have been called
! in 10 add the spell of trees and shrub
berry, hedgerows and beds of old fash,
| toned flowers, TO the somewhat cold
| distinction Of the scheme as a whole.
| Still. there is no resisting the refined
appeal Of the main building, and the
quaint interior, with its authentic
relics, dcepens ones impression OF
good idea we'll carried out. The 81 mi
I lar venture made by Maryland is SINH
/ larly successful. though again certain
reservations are provoked. II has re-
produced the old brick manor house
Of the CAROLS of Carrollton. fine
building, with a stately pillared porch.