DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.26747#0197
Chap. I.
CHINA.
133
BOOK III.
CHAPTER I.
C H I N A.
CONTENTS.
General Romarks —• Pagodas — Pailoos — Tombs — Domestic Architecture —
Temples.
Tiie Cliinese differ from al] European nations, not only in th.e objects
they propose to attain by tbeir arts, and in tbe forms in wbicb tbey
seek to embody tbeir conceptions, bnt also in the processes by wbicb
tbey carry tbem out. ITence, to write generally on tbeir arts and
sciences, in a manner to be intelligible, would require us to go into
great detail, and to employ illustration to a very great extent. But
tbe particular art witb wbicb our subject is concerned requires, and
indeed admits, but very little to be said of it. Tbe simple fact is, tbat
Cbina possesses scarcely anytbing wortby of tbe narne of architecture.
Tbis is of importance as enabling us to understand bow, in otber
countries, as in ancient India, a bigb degree of civilization may bave
been attained witbout producing any coeval monuments of durable
character.
A priori, it certainly may seem strange tbat tbe Cbinese sbould not
bave excelled in tbis art, for tbey are and always were most extensive
builders, as may be seen by tbe massive walls tbat surround all tbeir
cities, and tbe great one tbat balf surrounds tbeir country. Tbeir
land is full of bridges and embankments, and engineering works of all
sorts, sbowing a power of cutting stone and granite, and a science of
building, bardly surpassed by even tbe Egyptians tbemselves. All
these great works are wkolly devoid of eitber architectural design or
ornament, In India sucb works would bave been rendered ten times
more admirable for tbeir art tban for their mass or extent. Here,
bowever tbey may subserve to tbeir utilitarian purpose—tbis aim
gained, no gestbetic beauty is either sougbt for or attained.
Tbis certainly does not arise from inability, f'or no people on eartb
carve granite witb sucb facility and precision as tbe Cbinese, not even
excepting tbe inbabitants of soutbern India; and nowbere is skilled
labour so cbeap, and time so little tbougbt of, as in Cbina. Hence tbe
absence of art must arise from want of taste, not want of power. The
CHINA.
133
BOOK III.
CHAPTER I.
C H I N A.
CONTENTS.
General Romarks —• Pagodas — Pailoos — Tombs — Domestic Architecture —
Temples.
Tiie Cliinese differ from al] European nations, not only in th.e objects
they propose to attain by tbeir arts, and in tbe forms in wbicb tbey
seek to embody tbeir conceptions, bnt also in the processes by wbicb
tbey carry tbem out. ITence, to write generally on tbeir arts and
sciences, in a manner to be intelligible, would require us to go into
great detail, and to employ illustration to a very great extent. But
tbe particular art witb wbicb our subject is concerned requires, and
indeed admits, but very little to be said of it. Tbe simple fact is, tbat
Cbina possesses scarcely anytbing wortby of tbe narne of architecture.
Tbis is of importance as enabling us to understand bow, in otber
countries, as in ancient India, a bigb degree of civilization may bave
been attained witbout producing any coeval monuments of durable
character.
A priori, it certainly may seem strange tbat tbe Cbinese sbould not
bave excelled in tbis art, for tbey are and always were most extensive
builders, as may be seen by tbe massive walls tbat surround all tbeir
cities, and tbe great one tbat balf surrounds tbeir country. Tbeir
land is full of bridges and embankments, and engineering works of all
sorts, sbowing a power of cutting stone and granite, and a science of
building, bardly surpassed by even tbe Egyptians tbemselves. All
these great works are wkolly devoid of eitber architectural design or
ornament, In India sucb works would bave been rendered ten times
more admirable for tbeir art tban for their mass or extent. Here,
bowever tbey may subserve to tbeir utilitarian purpose—tbis aim
gained, no gestbetic beauty is either sougbt for or attained.
Tbis certainly does not arise from inability, f'or no people on eartb
carve granite witb sucb facility and precision as tbe Cbinese, not even
excepting tbe inbabitants of soutbern India; and nowbere is skilled
labour so cbeap, and time so little tbougbt of, as in Cbina. Hence tbe
absence of art must arise from want of taste, not want of power. The