Although a perfect uniformity exists in all the edifices of Upper Egypt as to plan and general arrangement, it appears they were very capricious in the proportions and sculpture of columns. The capittls of the columns of the temple of Appolinipo lis, one of the largest and most magnificent buildings in Egypt, has two rows of leaves, bearing considerable resemblance to the Corinthian of the Greeks. At the tombs Silsilis, the columns are in imitation of bundles of reeds bound together atthe top by a conl, and gradually swelling into a capital, ornamented with leaves and blos soms of the lotus, or lily of the Nile. At Tentyra, one entire column of hierogly phics supports a capital, containing four heads tithe goddess Isis. At the Meinno niiim, human figures are used as columns, called by the Greeks cariatides, which place the ruins of a statue 64 feet in height is to be seen, and supposed to have been thrown down by Cambyses.
Their edifices and statuary is princi pally composed of grallite alla sand stone quarried upon the Nile, with aqueducts leading from them into the river, through which means, and its annual rise, the huge masses of stone used in obelisks anti co lunins were floated to their respective situations ; but how these immense slabs and blocks were raised upon terraces and columns, of great height, is an exertion of the mechanic powers totally obsolete at the present day.
is o_..nli,,v1ircnnniatelicte ureindoe.;trtuiscytipbtletirleat: we are cliabled to form any distinct idea of the progvess of science with this learn ed people ; who are said to have invented geometry, and applied its principles to the motion of the heavenly bodies. At Tentym, the great circle dthe sphere is described upon the ceiling of the temple, containing the twelve signs of the zodiac, with many other astronomical figures in the surrounding spaces.
Their knowledge of geometry-, and the application of its principles to mechanics, was astonishing, from the size ancl weight of their materials, and principles of con struction, by which they have ensured du rability ; and transmitted to postority 5 palaces and 34 temples, as monuments of their science and industry 3000 years ago.
Upon all examination of the principles and practice of the architecture of the three countries, India, l'ersia, and Egypt. it 1611 appear, upon investigation, that the edifices of Hindostan consist principally of excavation, where the column and hu man figure are rudely carved, without re ference to proportion or the nature of the subject, and although we cannotfail to be disgusted with the effect of the perform ance, we are compelled to admire their industry. The resemblance of many leading features of Ilindoo architecture to that of Egypt and Persia, particularly those of Elephanta and Vellore, has in duced Sir William Jones and Dr. Robert
son to conclude that the eastern quarter of the world has a preferable claim to originality ; and that all rudiments of knowledge in the science was furnished hy India to both the other countries: this is a mere matter of opinion, and can only amount to evidence of an early inter course or communication of architectural knowledge, as there is unquestionably sufficient distinction in the character and proportions of the whole or parts to form separate schools. That of India may be characterized by circular outlines resembling thc pagoda of the Chinese. The ancient Persian, consisting princi pally of edifices above ground wit h slender columns of small diameter, lightly and delicately decorated with feathers and silk, ornamental pannels in basso miler°, resembling the sumptuous corinthian or the Romans.
That of Egypt, grand and massy fea tures, diminishing- froin the base upu-ard, forming py-ramidal fignres, remarkable for sameness of character and proportion. Temples generally peripteral, that is, sur rounded on all sides by columns at some distance Lotus, Hawk, and Ibis, emblems, and purely their own. Upon the whole, may conclude that the Egyptians borrowed no ideas, nor copied the style or practice of any other nation. A perfect uniformity in their sculpture and facade is seen every where, from the most ancient down to the destructive in road of Cambyses. - Before we proceed to point out the cha racter and sublimity of Greek architec ture, it will be necessary to give a few general ideas as to the principles of the science, and upon what Order is founded.
All the variety of objects that present themselves to our view in the material • world, are considered beautiful or deform; led, in relation to their shape and size, corresponding with the fitness of the parts to the end designed. Proportion and symmetry always convey pleasurettble ideas ; and their adaptation to the ex pression of design should always coincide with the uses of the object in view. Skill and dexterity may be expressed, without accommodation or correspondence to the nature of the character, and must be ad mired as a part, without any reference to the whole : thus a building may be crowded with highly decorated mould ings and pannel-work, where the nature of the subject is not consulted, and by many unacquainted with the science be pronounced beautiful, receiving the appel lation from a close examination of a par ticular part, when the fitness or proper correspondence of the minutia ought to he judged of with reference to the nature of the subject.