Villas and Cottages. A Series of Designs, prepared for Execution in the United States. By Calvert Vaux, Architect (late Downing and Vaux), Newburgh. Illustrated by 300 Engravings. New York.

We have risen from the perusal of this work with a strong impression in its favor. It seems to us to mark a progress among as, when such wholesome troths as our author tells, are boldly written and fearlessly promulgated. His topic is a large one; it is a highly important subject, embracing almost, if not quite, the question whether a nation shall be highly civilized, or half barbarian? It is, moreover, a difficult topic, and one on which more authors have been utterly inane than most. In what regards the protection and accommodation of civil life, connected with religion, legislation, science, commerce, and domestic purposes, the exercise of architecture is so completely influenced by the state of knowledge, ' power, climate, etc, that it has always been found one of the most distinctive features of that people, from among whom the specimens were selected. In tracing its origin and progress, therefore, not only the various genius, but the leading outlines of the history of each people, will be delineated.

In their public works we have their history, not drawn by speculative strangers, at different periods of time, but in characters produced by native hands, guided by the united disposition of a whole people, arising out of the combination of all the knowledge, power, and prevalent ideas of the times when they were constructed. By a comparison, therefore, of the different works in architecture, we are not only made acquainted with the different characters of the several portions of mankind under various climates, but we also see distinctly the effects of political changes on each separate nation.

These observations are not confined to buildings adapted to the purposes of civil life alone, but are equally conspicuous in all that are constructed for the operations of war, whether the increasing rivalship of nations have rendered it necessary that they should be carried on by land or sea. The works of each are of great importance to the concerns of mankind. Government takes under its charge the naval and military constructions, but leaves the civilians to take care of themselves. Fitting teachers are therefore important, to guide the taste of a people like our own, where we have the utmost freedom, and plenty of means to do as we like with brick and wood, and to outrage the proprieties as we please.

Downing was among the first who came to the rescue; he exhibited to our population that living in houses well designed and neatly constructed, well colored and well ventilated, was a much more rational proceeding than had heretofore been believed, and we were taught by him, that to make home lovable, it should be made attractive. From his advent, we date a vast improvement, but that improvement must still be onward. In Mr. Vaux, we find evidences of a determination to teach all that is known; he throws out hints of vital import, and insists upon oar keeping an eye upon the solid benefits which flow from increased knowledge when backed by increased means and a higher civilization. Such men do a positive good;' they not only make their marks on the age in which they live, by their correct architecture, but they teach those who have already their houses constructed, how to occupy them, and what should be their aims for their busy, no less than their idle moments.

We do not propose (nor could we if we wished) to enter into a minute analysis of this large and beautiful volume. We ate even more struck with the preliminary chapter than with the handsome houses figured, and their descriptions, and shall be content today with a few extracts, to exhibit the force with which the author grapples with a topic on which it is more rare than would at first appear, to be original, agreeable, and concise.

Mr. Vaux argues correctly that a simple, well planned structure costs less to execute, for the accommodation obtained, than an ill-planned one. His instructions are well considered, and appropriate to the wants of our country. We like, especially, his remarks on the spirit so rife among us that would consider money the greatest good. When we hear people living in the country talk exclusively about railroad and bank stocks, fast horses, and wine, we pity them, and can adopt the language of our author when he says:

" There cannot, indeed, be a more unpleasant spectacle than to see active, intelligent men, with long faces and knit brows, incessantly sacrificing time, health, home, and peace of mind, to the one old ' Moloch' - business, as if perpetual imprisonment were too good for reprobates, and business must, therefore, be converted into a portable bastile for the use of honest men. Every father, whatever may be his position in life, should undoubtedly use his best endeavors to enrich his children, but not chiefly with money. He should rather aim to start each one from a higher point of industrious, liberal civilization than he himself commenced at, and strive to relieve him from the difficulties that obstructed his own path. The exercise of such a spirit of foresight and progress would soon lead to artistic results worthy of the nineteenth century. It is worth remembering, too, that no occupation need be undignified, no labor graceless".

"There is a section of the community to be provided for - the born rich. Individuals in this predicament, in some parts of the world, have a gratifying position at once accorded them on account of their property; but this is far from being the case in America. There is a great deal of toil and consequent wealth in the United States; still, it is money-making, not money made, that Commands respect. The science of spending is imperfectly understood, and the unsatisfactory results are apparent enough;• but the idea of a moneyed aristocracy is everywhere repelled, at heart, with a scorn so contemptuous that it can scarcely be called indignant. A dilemma springs up from this state of things. Idleness is abhorred by successful men; they insist, therefore, on their sons becoming lawyers, or doctors, or going into business. Then follows a failure, in the majority of cases; for the spur to exertion that makes such pursuits satisfy men, is, in these instances, entirely wanting, as pecuniary circumstances do not, in the least, require the effort.