Architecture And Archæology.

particulars , but they seemed in their struggle after the means of art to forget the true object and end of it , and one may commend their diligence so long as they confined themselves to the representation of subjects from profane history or mythology , seeing that it is of comparatively slight importance whether Alexander or Darius be caricatured or not in a picture which pretends to no accuracy even in

-costume , or whether Juno or Venus appear questionable in point of character if not of beauty , seeing that no one is called upon to believe in either their existence or their -virtue ; but we cannot but regret the misapplication of their efforts to represent tho persons or scenes of sacred history . "Thus Caracci was far better employed upon his famed '" Butcher ' s Shop " than upon his " Three Marys " weeping

their crocodile tears , and Guido upon his ' * Aurora amidst the Clouds , " for the future admiration of the dozen or so of devoted students who may be always found copying the ¦ same , to the not very evident advantage of modern art , than upon his sentimental " Madonnas " and " Ecce Homos . " I have dwelt longer upon the effects of the Renaissance the painters than their brother artistsbecause

upon upon , -as I have said , from their fortunate failure in findingclassic models , and the consummate excellence of some of their Craft , tho meteoric brilliancy of their fall was the more striking , and the warning it conveys necessarily the moro patent ; nevertheless , the same fate befell all the other arts , including that with which wo arc more nearly

concerned , and to which my wasting space warns me 1 must now confine myself . Let any one who would question what I have advanced , or desires to study Italian architecture , and the end to which it led , in a simple spirit of common-sense , take up Quincy ' s " Histoire des Architects , " and turn over the plates an their sequence ; the first , representing tho Cathedral at

Pisa , the work of Buschetto in 1063 , and tho few next in order , he would find , clearly demonstrating what I have stated , as to the trammels by which , during even tho medieval period , the attempt to introduce into Italy the architecture which was then flourishing beyond tho Alps , was restrained by the natural predilections for the antique . The plan of this cathedral , that of the Latin cross , its

. apsidal ends , reminiscences of tho fatherland of its architect , its clerestory and ranges of arcades , and the Byzantine feature of the dome over the crux , are insufficient to conceal the preference for the horizontality of tho Classic school , or to excuse the mesalliance of the Roman order , with the arch ; this latter is seen still more uncouthl y . in the baptistery bDioti Salviin 1152 where gables and crockets

y , , parodied from the Gothic were added . However , the fusion of the two elements with greater skill , and so much beauty of proportion and treatment of precious coloured materials , as to demand admiration of a style per sc , are represented by the works of Arnolfo di Lapo and Burnelleschi in the Cathedral , ancl of Giotti in the Campanile at Florence .

In the palaces of the Medici , by Michelozzo , and of the -Strozzi , by Cronaca , at Florence , we seem to lose sight of the desire to please which the other buildings I have named show by their unsparing luxury of marbles and mosaic , ancl thoughtful delicacy of detail thoughout , and are made acquainted with the stern grandeur and air of shrng-the shoulder affected by the turbulent and selfish Italian nobles

of the fifteenth century , in their fortress palaces , ivhich , however , still depend for no small nor inferior portion of their effect upon their almost Gothic treatment of the windows , together ivith , to my mind , exaggerated frown of their heavy cornices of Classic type .

Then painfully evident is the study of tho antique in the correct proportions , but tiresome monotony of the arcaded side of the Church of St . Francesco , at Rimini , by Alberti , each arch with its precisely similar sarcophagus , ancl each pier with its rectangular tablet , like a picture-frame , each spandrel with its circular panel like an immortelle stran g ely commemorativebut hardlsymbolicalof the career of the

, y , restless Sigismond Malatesta and his generals , who were probabl y not all cast in the same mould . How diffcrcntly would ; , uch a theme have been treated in Gothic hands , let the monuments of Aymer do Valence , and its neighbours in the choir of AVestmmster suggest , or the tombs ranged along tho aisles of the church ofthe Frari at Venice .

GENERAL ARCHITECTURAL INTELLIGENCE . The foundation-stone of a new chapel-of-ease to tho parish of Heavitree , Exeter , was laid on AVednesday , Juno 26 th , by Lord Poltimore , who has presented the site for the chapel and burial-ground . The assembly was addressed by the Rev . Canon Woolicombe , Vicar of Heavitree . The chapel is close to the hamlet of AVhitonand is to

conp , sist of nave , 49 ft . 6 in . by 21 ft . ; chancel , 16 ft . by 16 ft ; transept , vestry , and poi * ch . It is to be of Early Decorated architecture , the facing of Killerton stone , and Bath stone dressings . The cost will be about £ 1 , 300 , and accommodation for 200 persons . Mr . Scott , architect , who had been requested to survey and report upon tho condition of the old church of St .

Cuthbert ' s , Darlington , gives it as his opinion that the edifice is in a most dangerous condition . The church , which he characterises as being " one almost perfect ancl uniform in its design , as well as ono of the handsomest in the north of England , " was built in the 12 th century by the celebrated Bishop Pudsoy , during the transition period of architecture from the Romanesque to tho Pointed style , Mr . Scott makes various suggestions as to the best mode of restoration , and sets down the total cost at £ ' 6 , 100 .

The Primitive Methodist Jubilee Chapel , Durham , has been opened . The building is situate on the North-road . Ifc is in tho Geometric period of Gothic architecture , and is estimated to hold about 600 persons . The principal feature iu tho front elevation is a large four-light window , with tracery , moulded jambs , & c . On each 'side of the central window , is placed a single-light window with tracery . Tho

whole of the glass is of extra thickness , and ground so as to prevent' the necessity of using sun-blinds . There are two entrances to tho chapel , which have square-headed doors , with pierced typanums below ] 3 ointed arches . The interior woodwork is of Petersburg )! and pitch pine , wrought , stained in tints , and varnished . Instead of the usual pulpit there is a platform , the front of which is

ornamented with trefoil ancl circular-headed cusped panels , and hung with drapery behind . The lighting of the chapel is by a star-light of fifty-one jets , suspended from the ceiling , and also acting as a ventilator . There is a vestry attached to the chapel , which may be used for class and similar meetings . On three sides of the chapel there are galleries , supported by cast iron columns , which arc also made available for the purposes of ventilation . Foundations for the building had to be dug 14 ft . below tho floor , and filled in with concrete .

The foundation-stone of a Methodist chapel has been laid at Jarrow . The chajicl , when completed , will accommodate about 300 persons on the ground-floor , where there will also be a minister ' s vestry and class-room at each side of the entrance lobby . The design is of Italian character , and will bo executed with pressed bricks to the walling , and moulded brick , cornices , stringcourses , & c . The interior

will be fitted up with open benches of stained and varnished deal , arranged so as to rise by steps from tho level of tho preacher ' s platform . The foundation-stone of a Jewish synagogue has been laid iu Sunderland . The building will have a classic front , and be built of brick , with stone dressings . It will be 25 ffc . high , 42 ft . long , and 36 ft . wide . It will seat 120 males in

the body of the building , ancl 70 females in the gallery , where they will be screened from observation , as is the custom in such places of worship , by a metallic screen . At the east end of the building the ark will bo placed ; Corinthian pillars , in Caen stone , being tho ornamentation of it . In front of it will be placed the altar , and then tho warden ' s pew . From the vestibule two folding doors will load to the two aisles in tho body of the building .

The English Congregational Chapel , Jersey , will soon bo opened . The entire cost is £ 1 , 800 , moulding architect ' s fees , gas , warming , & c . The cost of the land was £ 580 . They intend to raise £ 306 for part purchase of the land , leaving a ground-rent of £ 15 per annum . New schools have been erected by Mr . Cochrane , at Holly Hall , about a mile from his ironworks at TVbodside , Dudley . The buildings are of red brick , with stone