The most brilliant epoch of Grecian architecture, and to which we are to look for perfection in the art, was comprized in the short space of about two hundred years, including the respective ages both of Pericles and of Alexander, from whose death its gradual decline may perhaps be said to have commenced. But under the subsequent dominion of Roman emperors, its deterioration was still more apparent; for, although the sovereigns of the world astonished mankind by the prodigious dimensions and gorgeous splendor of their architectural undertakings, yet when compared with the purity of Grecian design, the evidences of barbarism are perceptible in most of their works. This corruption of style, unattended, however, with any diminution of cost and magnificence in the buildings themselves, rapidly increased until all vestiges of beauty aud propriety were lost in the long period of darkness which followed the destruction of the empire.

* From Earl ofAbordeen's Inquiry into the Principle of Beauty in Grecian Architecture. London: Jon Mukray. 1822.

At the revival of the art in Italy, during the fifteenth and sixteenth centuries, the great architects who adorned that country naturally looked for instruction to the monuments with which they were surrounded - the wrecks and fragments of imperial Rome. These were not only successfully imitated, but were sometimes even surpassed by the Italian artists; for Bramante and M. Angelo, Palladio and Bernini, designed and executed works which, although of unequal merit, may perhaps fairly challenge a comparison with the boasted productions of the Augustan age. It is not, however, to . be expected that their compositions should be free from those imperfections which are to be found in the models from whence they derived their knowledge, and on which their taste was formed. The precious remains of Grecian art were long neglected, and the most beautiful were, in truth, nearly inaccessible to the christian world. It is almost in our own time that obstacles, formerly insurmountable, have been first vanquished; and that the treasures of art, still unfortunately in the custody of ignorance and barbarism, have not only been visited, but have been accurately measured and delineated.

Henceforth, therefore, these exquisite remains should form the chief study of the architect who aspires to permanent reputation; other modes are transitory and uncertain ; but the essential qualities of Grecian excellence, as they are founded on reason, and are consistent with fitness and propriety, will ever continue to deserve his first care. These models should be imitated, however, - not with the timid and servile hand of a copyist, but their beauties should be transferred to our soil, preserving, at the same time, a due regard to the changes of customs and manners, to the difference of our climate, and to the condition of modern society. In this case, it would not be so much the details of the edifice itself however perfect, which ought to engross the attention of the artist, but he should strive rather to possess himself of the genius by which it was originally planned and directed; and to acquire those just principles of taste which are capable of general application. The words of a competent judge, in describing the practice of the Greeks, will give additional weight to these opinions: " Omnia enim certa proprie-tote, et a verts naturas deductis moribus, traduxerunt in operum perfectiones: et ea pro-baverunt, quorum, explicationes in disputationibus rationem possunt habere veritatis.* [Vitruo, Lib. IV.c 2].

* In the most perfect of their productions they suffered nothing to enter but what was consistent with propriety, end deduced from the Just ordinance of nature; approving only of what could be supported by arguments founded upon the basis of truth and reason. - Willbins' Translation.

For the perfection of in works depends on their fitness to answer the end proposed, and on principles rewriting from a consideration of nature herself, and they approved those only which, by strict analogy, were borne out by the appearance of utility. - Geoilt's Translation.