singly, but the arch and parallelogram together, as, in some degree one compound figure, meet the eye as an integral member of the composition. Whether our architects of the Plantagenet reigns gathered this excellent idea from the east, or congenial good taste led them to the same happy result as the Arabians, the practice has been common, and is especially found in their best buildings. In the castle-gateway, indeed, military purpose would lead to it; but it is found also in ecclesiastical architecture, even in the interior; and in the nave of Winchester cathedral, its advantageous effect is striking.

Where this combination originated I know not: but the oldest example of it, that has fallen within my observation is not Arabian, but Grecian; with the difference indeed, that, not the pointed, but the semicircular arch has been thus placed in a rectangular frame; and this example occurs in Athens itself. The lover of

architecture, I think, cannot but have amusement in comparing some of the Arab-Indian buildings with William of Wickham's, and both with that described in the last chapter, and represented in the last plate, of the third volume of Stuart's Antiquities of Athens.

Possibly there may be among Indian and Arab-Indian buildings, I think indeed there may, what an able architect's fancy may profit from.

Perhaps alfo I may find occasion hereafter to mention an instance, in which I have imagined a very able architect has so borrowed, and very well borrowed. But I never saw anything of Indian or Arab-Indian work, which an architect of any taste and judgement would chuse as a complete model. Pillars, with minute eques.

ture.

trian statues for the ornament of their capitals, and others, pinched in toward the bottom or middle of the shaft, as if in emulation of the wasp's waist, would ill supersede, or ill be added to, the Grecian orders. Something, in general character, like the latter form, is indeed old among ourselves; derived, already improved into elegance, from Italy and Greece; but not employed in the support of a weighty superstrucMore commonly the material has been silver, and the purpose the support of a candle. For the support of a building, there can, I think, be no hazard in pronouncing such form incongruous and absurd. The Indians have also imagined the curved shape of a laced hood, or a nightcap, as an ornamental appendage over a window, wrought in stone, to throw off rain. The habit of being carried in palankeens, and domiciliated in tents or pavilions, may have led them to such a fancy for their houses. But, where decoration is desired for the exterior of a window, the Grecian architrave, with or without its frieze

and cornice, and with or without the added pediment, is adapted to stone-work and solid walls and rectangular building; and will also throw off rain.

Something of the dome kind, for the summit. of a building, has been much in favor with the Arabians, wherever they have carried their conquests. Some rare instances of the dome, among the Indian buildings represented by Daniel, are not only completely within those limits of taste which common sense prescribes, but rather of superior elegance. But the more common form, the favorite trick, I think it may be called, for a dome, among those who have derived arts and taste from the Arabians, in Turkey as well as in India, has been to pinch it in at the bottom, nearly as the pillar beforementioned; so that, as I remember, a youth from the university, looking over Daniel's works with me observed, it looks like a Brobdingnag turnip reversed, with the top aspiring.

Considering however that there is certainly something striking, and on first view pleasing, in some of the Arab-Indian buildings, as represented by Daniel, I think they may deserve to be studied by the young architect; but it should be with much caution. He should endeavour to discover in them the principles which have produced the good general effects; careful

not to be seduced by the virtues to any adoption of the vices, from which the style, as far as I have had opportunity to observe, is in no instance free. The merit lies, hardly ever, in any part of the detail it rests in general effects, which might be equally perhaps produced, with a far better style of detail. In the gayer kind of buildings there is often much ingenuity, but always much flutter. Here and there perhaps, in Daniel's publication, a palace may suggest a good idea for something of a light and winning grace. But the best effects of the Arab-Indian architecture are seen in monumental edifices; the solids large and lofty, the openings, into shaded recesses, uncommonly large and lofty, the result gloomy and sublime.

I ENDED abruptly, you observe, my letter on the revival of public favor for the style of architecture of the Plantagenet reigns, for which in former letters I had expressed very high estimation; and, when, in the next, you expected me to proceed with it, I passed to the Chinese and Indian. It gratifies me to learn that my observations on these made you any satisfactory amends. I allow that the other subject rather required that I should proceed on it but I felt myself on slippery ground. To you, I know, I may venture to declare all my thoughts freely. But if my letters are to be shown to others, there are questions of taste in architecture that will demand caution. I desire to offend none: I desire not to excite a useless repentance of expence unworthily bestowed: I would occasion no uneasiness, unless benefit might result, either to the suffering individual, or to the public. Nevertheless I think scruple on this head may be carried too far. To do what may mislead the public taste, whether by building, or in any other way, is a public offence, and challenges public animadversion. I am aware how I thus commit myself,