To be a proficient in this part requires a general knowledge of the fine arts, particularly the principles of architecture; for without this, however well your piece may be finished with regard to workmanship, it still remains a dull, heavy, unmeaning mass, having no proportion nor a particle of true design in it. I have seen many pieces, and some in the principal shops, with these defects, although otherwise well executed. My limits will not allow me to enter into the details necessary to illustrate this part, therefore the artist must refer to books on the subject; but in the absence of these it is best to work from some correct drawing, which, with the few notes I shall subjoin, may serve for general purposes.

There are many prevailing styles or orders of architecture, as the Egyptian, Grecian, Roman, Saxon, Norman, Gothic, etc. The Gothic is the most beautiful, being pointed, and is generally used for cathedrals and churches. The Norman is plain and simple, with semicircular arches. The Saxon is after the same style, into which are introduced some ornamental workings. The Egyptian is more flat and square, embellished with hieroglyphics. In the Grecian and

Roman architecture there are five orders, viz., Tuscan, Doric, Ionic, Corinthian, and Composite; and a building may be denominated Ionic, Corinthian, etc, merely from its ornaments. The number of columns, windows, etc., may be the same in either order, but varied in their proportions. The height of the columns in each is, - for the Tuscan, seven times its diameter; Doric, eight; Ionic, nine; Corinthian, ten; Composite, ten. The Tuscan is quite plain, without any ornament whatever; the Doric is distinguished by the channels and projecting intervals in the frieze, called tryglyphs; the Ionic by the ornaments of its capital, which are spiral, and called volutes; the Corinthian by the superior height of its capital, and its being ornamented with leaves, which support very small volutes; the Composite has also a tall capital, with leaves, but is distinguished from the Corinthian by having the large volutes of the Ionic capital. The Grecian and Roman orders differ in some respects as to the style of each, but for particulars refer to works on the subject. These orders are adopted for buildings, with various modifications, in most parts of the world.

The Chinese have a peculiar kind of style, which needs no description, as it is generally represented in this country on our delft ware, etc. The Swiss style, which is something of the Gothic, is very well adapted for pieces montées, as well as the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders, they being more light and elegant.