Egyptians to which that of the ancient Hindoos bears some re seniblance-is characterized by boldness of outline, solidity and grandeur. The amazing labyrinths and extensive artificial lakes, the splendid palaces and gloomy cemeteries, the gigantic pyramids and towering obelisks, of the Egyptians, were works of immensity and durability; and their extensive remains are enduring proofs of the enlightened skill of this once-powerful, but long since extinct nation. The principal features of the Egyptian Style of architecture are—uniformity of plan, never deviating from right lines and angles; thick walls, having the outer surface slightly deviating inwardly from the perpendicular; the whole building low; roof flat, composed of stones reaching in one piece from pier to pier, these being supported by enormous columns, very stout in proportion to their height; the shaft sometimes polygonal, having no base but with a great variety of handsome capitals, the foliage of these being of the palm, lotus and other leaves; entablatures having simply an architrave, crowned with a huge cavetto ornamented with sculpture; and the intercolumniation very narrow, usually 1 diameters and seldom exceeding 24. In the remains of a temple, the walls were found to be 24 feet thick; and at the gates of Thebes, the walls at the foundation were 50 feet thick and perfectly solid. The immense stones of which these, as well as Egyptian walls generally, were built, had both their inside and outside surfaces faced, and the joints throughout the body of the wall as perfectly close as upon the outer surface. For this reason, as well as that the buildings generally partake of the pyramidal form, arise their great solidity and durability. The dimensions and extent of the buildings may be judged from the temple of Jupiter at Thebes, which was 1400 feet long and 300 feet wideexclusive of the porticos, of which there was a great number.

It is estimated by Mr. Gliddon, U. S. consul in Egypt, that not less than 25,000,000 tons of hewn stone were employed in the erection of the Pyramids of Memphis alone,-or enough to construct 3,000 Bunker-Hill monuments. Some of the blocks are 40

feet long, and polished with emery to a surprising degree. It is conjectured that the stone for these pyramids was brought, by rafts and canals, from a distance of 6 or 7 hundred miles.

217. The general appearance of the Egyptian style of architecture is that of solemn grandeur-amounting sometimes to sepulchral gloom. For this reason it is appropriate for cemeteries, prisons, &c.; and being adopted for these purposes, it is gradually gaining favour.

A great dissimilarity exists in the proportion, form and general features of Egyptian columns. In some instances, there is no uniformity even in those of the same building, each differing from the others either in its shaft or capital. For practical use in this country, Fig. 131 may be taken as a standard of this style. The Halls of Justice in Centre-street, New-York city, is a building in general accordance with the principles of Egyptian architecture.

Buildings in General.

218 That style of architecture is to be preferred in whicn utility, stability and regularity, are gracefully blended with grandeur and elegance. But as an arrangement designed for a warm country would be inappropriate for a colder climate, it would seem that the style of building ought to be modified to suit the wants of the people for whom it is designed. High roofs to resist the pressure of heavy snows, and arrangements for artificial heat, are indispensable in northern climes; while they would be regarded as entirely out of place in buildings at the equator.

219.-Among the Greeks, architecture was employed chiefly

upon their temples and other large buildings; and the proportions of the orders, as determined by them, when executed to such large dimensions, have the happiest effect. But when used for small buildings,porticos, porches, &c., especially in country-places they are rather heavy and clumsy; in such cases, more slender proportions will be found to produce a better effect. The

English cottage-style is rather more appropriate, and is becoming extensively practised for small buildings in the country.

220.—Every building should bear an expression suited to its destination. If it be intended for national purposes, it should be magnificent-grand; for a private residence, neat and modest; for a banqueting-house, gay and splendid; for a monument or cemetery, gloomy-melancholy; or, if for a church, majestic and graceful. By some it has been said-"somewhat dark and gloomy, as being favourable to a devotional state of feeling;" but such impressions can only result from a misapprehension of the nature of true devotion. "Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace." The church should rather be a type of that brighter world to which it leads.

221. However happily the several parts of an edifice may be disposed, and however pleasing it may appear as a whole, yet much depends upon its site, as also upon the character and style of the structures in its immediate vicinity, and the degree of cultivation of the adjacent country. A splendid country-seat should have the out-houses and fences in the same style with itself, the trees and shrubbery neatly trimmed, and the grounds well cultivated.

222.-Europeans express surprise that so many houses in this country are built of wood. And yet, in a new country, where wood is plenty, that this should be so is no cause for wonder. Still, the practice should not be encouraged. Buildings erected with brick or stone are far preferable to those of wood; they are more durable; not so liable to injury by fire, nor to need repairs: and will be found in the end quite as economical. A wooden house is suitable for a temporary residence only; and those who would bequeath a dwelling to their children, will endeavour to build with a more durable material. Wooden cornices and gutters, attached to brick houses, are objectionable--not only on ac count of their frail nature, but also because they render the building liable to destruction by fire.