THE BEAUTY OF TRUTH AND UTILITY.

Dear John: I am glad my efforts in your behalf are likely to be appreciated, especially
if you share this common opinion of architects, that their mission is accomplished when
they have made a pretty picture, and that they are an expensive luxury, which the man
who would build himself a house must forego if he would be able to finish. Greater
durability, comfort, and convenience are not expected on account of their assistance, only
that the house shall be more surprisingly beautiful. Doubtless there is some ground for
this poor opinion, but the architects are not alone in their folly, or wholly responsible;
they attempt to supply an unreasonable demand, and are driven to employ unworthy
means.
The first grand lesson for you to learn (you must have patience with a little more
"preachment") is that the beauty of your building cannot be thrust upon it, but must be
born with it, must be an inseparable part of it, the result and evidence of its real worth.
We must forget our great anxiety as to how our houses shall be clothed, aiming first to
make them strong and durable, comfortable and convenient, being morally certain that
they will not then be disagreeable to look upon. Professing a great contempt for a man
who tries to seem something better and wiser than he is, let us be equally severe in
condemning every building that puts on airs and boldly bids us admire what is only fit to
be despised. The pendulum seems to have swung away from the plain, utilitarian mode of
building that was forced upon our ancestors by a stern necessity,-possibly chosen from a
sense of duty,-to the other extreme; giving us, instead of the old-time simplicity, many a
fantastic design that claims admiration for its originality or its modern style. The notion
that there can be a mere architectural fashion, having any rights that intelligent people are
bound to respect, is quite absurd. Improved modes of construction and new helps to


comfort and convenience are constantly invented, but one might as well talk of the
latest fashions for the lilies of the fields or the stars in the heavens, as of a fashionable
style in architecture or any other enduring work of art. Whatever building is nobly and
enduringly useful, thoroughly adapted to its uses, cannot be uncomely. Its outward beauty
may be increased by well-contrived disposition of materials, or even added details not
strictly essential to its structure; but, if rightly built, it will not be ugly without these
additions, and beware of using them carelessly. What might have been a very gem of
homely and picturesque grace, if left in modest plainness, may be so overburdened with
worthless trash that its original expression is lost and its simple beauty becomes obtrusive
deformity. Even conspicuous cheapness is not necessarily unpleasant to see, but don't try
to conceal it by forcing the materials to seem something better than they are. Let wood
stand for wood, brick for brick, and never ask us to imagine a brown-stone value to
painted sheet-iron. There is, too, a deeper honesty than mere truth-telling in material; a
conscientiousness of purpose, an artistic spiritual sense of the eternal fitness, without
which there can be no worthy achievement, no lasting beauty.
Accepting this doctrine, which cannot be too often or too strongly urged, although it is
not new,-indeed, it is old as the universe,-you will, I think, be puzzled to find an
excuse for yourself if you disfigure a charming landscape or a village street by an uncouth
building. Build plainly if you will, cheaply if you must, but, by all that is fair to look upon
or pleasant to the thought, be honest. It will require some study and much courage, but
verily you will have your reward, and I for one shall be proud to write myself your
admiring friend.