Stephen Elliott Papers

Charleston Oct 19th 1860 Rt Rev Stephen Elliott Bishop of Georgia

Dear Sir

The kind interest you have so warmly expressed in behalf of the design offered by me in the recent competition and the Resolution of your Committee submitted for my perusal by Dr Pise, implying that although the premium had been awarded to another, no design had been adopted and no architect selected ___ these considerations, together with my own deep interest in an undertaking so dear to Every true Southerner have prompted me to address you this Communication, in which I would propose offering for your Consideration such an

amendment of the plans for the Central Building fo the Universityas I feel assured will meet your views And those of Every member of your Committee.

Before proceeding however I would try respectfully to say that if this letter should in the least degree be regarded by you, as in any way irregular or at all invading of the prerogatives of any one, I should be pleased to recall it and voluntarily resign all hopes of being linked in an Enterprise that has arrived within me the most ardent and Exalted ambition.

From all the information that I have obtained, it appears that the difference of opinion on the part of the Committee in reference to the design more {prominently?} before them arose not so much on the respective merits

of the design as much as upon the propriety of the styles adopted.

A profound reconsideration of this question, although accompanied with a longing wish to reconcile in my mind the use of the Gothic with the purposes proposed, leaves me still stronger in my original opinion.

I would beg respectfully to state the grounds on which I have Established this opinion. 1st-The Elevation of a structure should at once declare its purpose. Does a Castellated midaevial {sic} building on an English Ecclesiastical structure suggest for one moment to the mind any idea of an interior. The atrium or Auditorium, or a Gallery of Art or an Academy of design or schools of Art? Are not these purposes purely classic and if

a design should be in strict harmony with its purpose should it not in this instance be classic.

The purity of a design should be preserved both internally and Externally.

Is not [this?] absolute Essential to [correct?] [taste?] Entirely defeated by placing great galleries in a Gothic or English or Norman of [Saxon?] interior, as would be required for an auditorium to accommodate 2,500 persons? Must not the form of such [apartment?] based on acoustical principles be Entirely at variance with the styles of architecture above Enumerated? [or?] in other words are not the proportions of great Gothic interiors (demanding great length & height in proportion to [widths?]) and their [lofts?] [groined?] or other timber roofs

distinctive of good acoustical Effect?

Is not the purity of design materially affected in the above Enumerated styles by the introduction of any other than stained or obscured lights, and are these at all admissable in a gallery of art or a school of design?

Does the "dim religious light" as it is called, so absolutely Essential to the proper interior Effect of designs after the above named styles, accord in any way whatever with the various purposes of the proposed structures Except the Library?

On the other hand the argument has been well advanced, that in as much as the proposed University is

the offspring of the Church and that Church a scion of the Church of England, the architecture of its most prominent building should be significant of these facts.

Such I am free to confess should be the case, and the End may be readily accomplished, by making the Central Building Ecclesiastical both in style and purpose. Make the Church structure itself the centre {sic} of the [group?] that shall crown the loftiest summit of the mountains. Place the cross high above Every thing around that its shadow may rest upon and sanctify the entire [work?].

Such it seems to me is the true solution of the whole difficulty with the Church [or?] the body of the group I in [connection?] with is the

School of Divinity-and the Library we have an accumulation of purposes in the strictest sense Ecclesiastic and in perfect harmony with Either of the Gothic styles of Architecture.

Inferior to these and wide apart from them may be Erected a classic structure for Classic purposes. There will be arranged the [Theatrum?], the Academy of Art, the Schools of Design, the Museum [etc.?]. This building may be Exceedingly simple and Economical, and may rest its claims as a work of art more on account of its [defined?] proportions & noble outline than on the Elaborateness of its style or the ornateness of its decoration.

Such an adaptation of style to purpose, strictly adhered to throughout Every department

of the [work?], will I believe provide te most perfect and harmonious results, and if in accordance with your wishes and those of the Committee, I feel assured that, with what ability I may possess, and with the time and labor I am willing and a anxious to bring to the work, I could so express with my pencil what I have so indifferently done with my pen as to satisfy Every one of the correctness of my views.

If my enthusiasm may perhaps have led mea. little too far, in so boldly advancing my proposals, please let it down to something more than selfish motive and believe me when I say that my dearest professional aspiration is that

of being Enlisted in an Enterprise without parallel in this or any other Country.

In conclusion permit me dear Sir to offer you my most grateful thanks for all your attention and kindness, during my late visit to Sewanee. [Although?] I may be never Enabled to reciprocate them, be assured Sir I will never forget the debt of gratitude I owe you.

Very respectfuly [____ ___ ___?]

[Francis Lee?]

Francis D. Lee Architect Oct 19 1860

[Main Building?]