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Original Papers: On th# Study of Polyhromy.                  118 
is observable with respect to ancient music, which in like manner consisted
of Doric 
and the Ionic. Now, we know that the Doric legislators sought to found their
civil 
institutions on the Egyptian system; while those of the Ionians based theirs
on the 
traditions of Asia. Recent researches on the monuments of Assyria and Egypt
have 
shewn that the forms of Doric architecture were derived from Egypt, while
- those of 
Ionia came from Assyria, or at least from some Asiatic country of common
origin. 
"It may, therefore, be presumed that the different modes of music and
of Greek 
polychromy were derived from the same sources. 
"The Doric style in music and in polychromy was Egyptian, as the Ionic
was 
Asiatic. There is more in this than the mere name, for we are fully acquainted
with 
the Egyptian style, and we know also the harmonious music of Asiatic colouring;
for 
Byzantine, Arab, and Gothic painting, as indeed all modern paintings, are
derived 
from it. We may observe the two different styles contrasted together on the
walls of 
Pompeii and Herculaneum. 
"It would perhaps be more easy to arrive at some definite conclusion
on the dif- 
ferent characteristics of Greek polychromy by help of this hypothesis, than
by the 
feeble traces of colour which we observe with difficulty, and which give
rise to such 
opposing theories. We find the same difference between the Egyptian and Hellenic
polychromy, as between hieroglyphics and illustrative ornament and sculpture.
"9. Greek art did not reach the zenith of its perfection till the Doric
influence 
was penetrated by the Ionic-the material by the spiritual. Those arts which
are 
least dependent on the material, would be the first to emancipate themselves.
The 
Ionic feeling might exert its influence on the Doric style of painting, even
though the 
architectural forms preserved the stamp of their original extraction; and
this change 
would most readily take place in Attica. It is, therefore, to be inferred
that Attic 
polychromy was richer and more Asiatic than that of Sicily, or of those countries
where pure Doric influence existed. 
"10. The following is the result of my researches and observations on
polychromy, 
as applied to architecture:- 
1"C olour of the Architectural Masses.-The prevailing colour of the
temple burned 
with all the glowing beauty of the setting sun. The colour may be defined
as of a 
yellow red, very vapoury, resembling that of the finest terra-cottas. In
fact, the 
general appearance of the temple would precisely resemble the appearance
of a fine 
day in an Eastern climate. 
"This yellow tint covered all portions of the order-the columns, the
architrave, 
the cornices, and probably the triglyphs and the beams. But all the flat
ground 
members, as the walls-often decorated with paintings and ornaments-the tympana,
the lacunaria, and perhaps the metopes, were of a blue-black. These colours
would 
be laid on pretty thick, so as to obtain a sufficient body: the red would
be trans- 
parent, but not the blue. 
" Colours of the Mouldings and Ornaments.-The prevailing colours of
the mould- 
ings and ornaments were red, blue, and green; the two former colours being
more 
perfect, more brilliant, and deeper, than in those parts which served as
grounds. The 
green is very delicate, of a bright moss colour. The details of the ornaments
alter- 
nate regularly, and are united together by very delicate and projecting fillets
of white, 
black, or gold. In the temples of Athens, I believe them to have been of
gold. 
Above the tolerably thick ground tint, may be observed thinner and transparent
tints, 
completing the forms and subdivisions. It is difficult to tell the colour
of the second 
tints, but they were probably of the same colour as the first. The enamels
of Egypt, 
surrounded by golden fillets, give an idea of the appearance of the Athenian
orna- 
ments when executed in ancient encaustic. The gold with which the whole was
lined, 
as in a spiders web, is concentrated in parts with greater effect and intenseness,
"Sculpture partook of the same system of polychromy: the figures of
females were 
almost white; those of men were of a darker tint. The use of gold was also
very pre- 
valent in sculpture. 
"11. Painting was not the mere filling up of the mouldings, or imitation
of sculp- 
ture; but more probably the sculpture was rendered accessory to the painting."
Mr. Semper it was who so skilfully arranged the Canadian Court in the 
Great Exhibition. His knowledge both of architecture, and generally of decora-
tion, is profound, and his taste excellent. It is men of his acquirements
from 
whom our manufacturers would be likely to obtain great help.