CAUSES WHICH RETARDED THE PROGRESS OF THE ART IN THE Struggle for Existence-The French War-Policy of England 245 MATERIALS FOR BUILDING IN THE UNITED STATES. Rich in all Materials-Granite-Sienite-Marble-Freestone, &c.-Metals-Woods-Cement - 250 PRESENT STATE OF THE ART IN AMERICA. DOMESTIC ARCHITECTURE IN THE UNITED STATES. Adaptation to Climate, Soil, Mode of Life-Nationality-The HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE. CHAPTER I. ORIGIN AND PROGRESS OF ARCHITECTURE. ARCHITECTURE is both an essential, and an ornamental art. While society is in its infancy, and strength and convenience alone are regarded, it ranks with other mechanic arts necessary to the comfort of man; but, when it adds to these, beauty of design, or a regard for effect, it becomes an ornamental or fine art, taking its place beside the sister arts, poetry, painting, and sculpture. The art of building, in its widest signification, includes naval, military, and civil architecture. Civil architecture, comprehending all edifices constructed for the use of man in civil life, forms the topic of the present work. In that advanced condition of society, to which moral and intellectual culture has given form and order, buildings are required for religion, education, legislation, public exercises, amusements, commerce, manufactures, for perpetuating heroic deeds and historical events, and for domestic life. Respecting the origin and early practice of this art, historical testimony affords no aid; some shelter, however, has been necessary for the comfort and protection of man ever since his creation. In the bland and healthful air of Paradise, Milton imagined "a blissful bower," as the dwelling-place of our first parents. "It was a place Chosen by the Sovran Planter, when he framed Fenced up the verdant wall; each beauteous flower, Iris all hues, roses and jessamine Reared high their flourished heads between, and wrought Mosaic; underfoot the violet, Crocus and hyacinth with rich inlay, Broidered the ground, more coloured than with stone Of costliest emblem; other creature here, Bird, beast, insect, or worm, durst enter none, Such was their awe of man." Alas! how soon fallen Adam and Eve needed a more substantial shelter! Expelled from lovely Eden, the first man probably laboured "in the sweat of his brow," to build the first habitation. Every invention has its origin in the wants of man. |