22

THE SOUTHERN CHAPTER, A. I. A. 19

body should have something to say on such occasions. In accordance
with this ancient usage, our esteemed President has deputed me to ad-
dress you on the relation of the architectural profession to the public,
and I will do my best to acquit myself of the honor thus conferred
upon me.

Past experience teaches that the fewer and shorter the addresses made
on such gatherings, the more they are appreciated, and as this is the
first annual meeting of the Southern Chapter of the American Institute
of Architects, and I want to be appreciated, my paper shall be brief and
to the point.

An experience of over thirty years as a practising architectentitles me
perhaps to lay claim to being the oldest architectin this Chapter, Com-
mencing business in 1858, I have, (with the exception of the usual weeks
devoted to vacations, etc.,) been hard at work ever since. My nose is
still kept to the grindstone. Fortune is still smiling upon me, though
at a safe and long distance, and yet I am not happy, though I don't
complain, for really "my lines have fallen in pleasant places," many
genuine pleasures have been vouchsafed me in the course of designing
and erecting the large numberof builditigs committed to my charge, by
which I think the world as well as your humble servant has been bene-
fitted.

To me, the study and practice of architecture has been a genuine
pleasure, and if it could only be divested of its sordid trade-like environ-
ments, I know of nothing more fascinating; but I must return to the
business in hand--the relation of architects to the public. That is what
we are here to consider.

A good deal depends upon who the public may be; whether Eastern,
Western, Northern or Southern. I have had a little experience with
both, especially the three others, but the Southern public comes out on
top of everything, architect and all; and that is paying the Southern
public a great complimentif it knows how to take it.

According to another ancient custom, I shall now divide my subject
into three parts-head, body and tail ; with such subdivisionsas cireumstances
may dictate and your patience will allow.

In doing this I would remind you of the story told of an old Scotch
divine, who preaching from the text, "The Devil goeth about as a roar-
ing lion," divided his subjectinto three heads, as follows:

1st. Who, the devil, is he?
2nd. Where, the devil, did he come from?
3rd. What, the devil, is he roaring about?
So we will begin with--
1st. Who, the Architect, is he?

Well, at present he is a man, though in the near future he will be a
woman also, for quite a number of the so-called weaker sex are forging
their way to the front (I, myself, have my eye on three at least); and,
ere many moons have passed away, will be ready to take their place
among the faculty, and why shouldn't they? Women have æsthetic