694 The Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal. [May, CORNICES FOR ROOMS. THE accompanying plate is intended to illustrate this subject in a diver- sity of forms, especially those most in use in modern building. In former daj's it was the common custom to cover the cornices of the principal rooms with raised enrichments. Elizabethan Architecture was highly decorated in this department, and many very beautiful specimens yet remain in England of those master-pieces of art. In our day the taste appears to lean to grace of curve, acquirement of light and shade, with justness of proportion. In a word, to simple beauty. As however, the ornamentation of cor- nices is often introduced in certain styles at this daj r , we propose to give an illustrated article on the subject in a coming number of the Review. It is not an uncommon practice with stucco-plasterers to use and re-use the same moulds, under all circumstances, if they only fit the price of the required work. This is very wrong. The Style of the cornices should be in keeping with the building v they belong to ; although a diversity of orders is per- missible. Of course there is no danger of any sucb bungling where an architect superintends; but such is not always the case. ARCHITRAVES FOR DOORS AND WINDOWS. N OTHING in joinery so sets off an interior as well considered finish. For, unlike exterior work, it is more likely to be well and constantly in- spected. In fact it is the permanent furniture of the rooms, and -stamps at once the good or bad taste of the owner, or his architect. The Architrave for doors, here shown, is bold and simple, containing the lines of the plinth unbroken ; and thereby giving to the composition that pleasing unity of design which belongs to a perfect whole. This effect of symmetry is especially observable where the door or window head is segmental ; and in the case of square-heads the angles might, with good taste, be treated as quadrants. The mode, so frequently followed, of introducing jogs or off-sets is not at all as conformable to taste as is that which we here present, and of which the fol- lowing is a description : A, Is the Architrave of a door, with fascia and mouldings. B, The base or plinth, with its sub- plinth, and a section of same. C, Is the door-head, or cap ; which is shown as a flat head with quadrant angles, having a butt joint. D, Shows the plan of the door archi- trave, together with its construction. E, Shows the plan of another design of architrave. The prominence of the Torus mould- ing in this design gives a desirable appearance of strength to the construc- tion, and this member may be roped, or interlaced with vine leaves, or in fact ornamented in any way conformable with the nature of the design. F, is a Window-Architrave showing a beA'elled reveal and ornamental angle- staff for the protection of the corner- plastering. It is three-quarter round, has a capital and base, and may finish with any ornament, such as a pine-apple, or the like. G, Is the plan of the reveal and angle- staff. Solomon's Temple. — Lieut. Warren, who is conducting the explorations at Jerusalem, has made some recent dis- coveries which he thinks may soon lead to his ascertaining the position of the temple. At all events, the space within which it must have stood is somewhat limited by these new discoveries.
