Query XV.

capitol, the palace, the college, and the hofpital for lunatics, all of thqm in Williamfburgh, heretofore the feat of our government. The capitol is a light and airy ftrudlure, with a portico in front of two orders, the lower of which, being Doric, is tolerably juft in its propor- tions and ornaments, fave only that the intercolonations are too large. The upper is Ionic, much too fmall for that on which it is mounted, its ornaments not proper to the order, nor proportioned within them- felves. It is crowned with a pediment, which is too high for its fpan. Yet, on the whole, it is the moft pleafing piece of architefture we have. The palace is not handfome without; but it is fpacious and commodious within, is prettily fituated, and with the grounds annexed to it, is capable of being made an elegant feat. The college and hofpital are rude, mif- fhapen piles, which, but that they have roofs, would be taken for brick-kilns. There are no other public buildings but churches and court-houfes, in which no attempts are made at elegance. Indeed it would not be eafy to execute fuch an attempt, as a workman could fcarcely be found capable of drawing an order. The genius of architedure feems to have fhed its maledidions over this land. Build- ings are often ereded, by individuals, of confiderable expence. To give thefe fym- metry and tafte would not increafe their coft. It would only change the arrangement of the materials, the form and com- bination of the members. This would often coil: lefs than the burthen of barba- rous ornaments with which thefe buildings are fometimes charged. But the firft prin- ciples of the art are unknown, and there exifts fcarcely a model among us fufficiently chafte to give an idea of them. Archi- tefture being one of the fine arts, and as fuch within the department of a profeflbr of the college, according to the new ar- rangement, perhaps a fpark may fall on fome young fubjefts of natural tafte, kindle up their genius, and produce a reformation in this elegant and ufeful art. But all we fhall do in this way will produce no permanent improvement to our country, while the unhappy prejudice prevails that houfes of brick or ftone are lefs wholefome than thofe of wood. A dew is often obferved on the walls of the former in rainy wea-