The specimens of domestic architecture already given, have been mostly of a rural character.

Plate XXXI. is a perspective view of the mansion of James Dundas, Esq., in Philadelphia. It is seldom that a city-house can be embellished with grounds so extensive, and thus command "ample room and verge enough" for every convenience and elegance of life. The plainness of the front is relieved by a beautiful Ionic portico, of white marble; the colour of the edifice is yellow, so delicate that the ornamental parts, though of a pure white, are not in glaring contrast. It is, moreover, a symmetrical building, very pleasing to the eye. Thomas U. Walter, architect.

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CHAPTER XXIV.

USE OF THE GRECIAN ORDERS AND GOTHIC STYLE IN PUBLIC BUILDINGS.

THE appropriate use of the Grecian orders, in the architecture of the United States, is a subject demanding nice investigation. This topic has been ably discussed in an article in the Journal of Science for 1830-31, and from it a few extracts will be made,. although in some things, we take the liberty to differ from the very able writer.

The Roman Doric is frequently employed in our country. It differs from the Grecian in having a base; in the height of its shaft, which is eight diameters instead of six; in the capital, which is richer than the Grecian; in the disposition of the triglyphs; in the admission of a variety of decorations; in the metopes, and in a more richly-moulded frieze. Its characteristic is a cheerful dignity, which is often very agreeable, and for which we could perhaps find no substitute in