[Illustration: THE BACK BUILDINGS OF PHILADELPHIA.] PLATE XLIII. [Illustration: THE CAPTAIN WHITE HOUSE, ESSEX STREET, SALEM.] PLATE XLIV. [Illustration: DOORWAY, SILVERGATE. JOY WHEELER DOW, Architect.] [Illustration: WATKINSON HOUSE, MIDDLETOWN, CONN. 1810.] wooden one not visible in the picture, and then again through still another gate, when, all at once, the vision of an old-time Renaissance garden extending far down toward the river surprises and delights the eye. The garden is furnished with all the traditional paraphernalia appropriate to it; and under curious arbors, by trellises into miniature boscages, one wanders enchanted. I have spoken of the efflorescence of commercialism, and I tried to find for a foregoing chapter an illustration of heaping meretricious ornament upon itself which I needed at that time; but now I have the pleasure to show you the true efflorescence in connection with architecture, the efflorescence with which the Greatest of all architects has most to do in bringing to perfection. I do not think I may conclude an article upon early nineteenth century architecture in America without a paragraph in reference to that which exists, and is likely to remain for some time, in the traditionally blue-blooded section of Philadelphia bounded by Chestnut and Pine Streets east of the Schuylkill river. (See Plates XX, XXXIX and LXXXVII.) And all things considered I do not know that we have improved very much, if any, upon those old Philadelphia city house plans in any of the newer designs exploited in such variety both in New York and elsewhere. Without the private street at the rear of the lot we cannot hope to do anything very satisfactory, and in those private streets--the entrance for the tradespeople to the houses--Philadelphia has a tremendous advantage at the outset. This amplification of the backyard--the dignity afforded it by an independent gateway upon a street of its own, the pair of doors with a transom opening into it from the staircase hall recessed by the rounded corner of the back building, and the disposition of the back building itself, all present dazzling opportunities to the architect not only for effects but for comfort and convenience. The mezzanine dining-room with windows upon two sides has unlimited possibilities which they seem never to have fully grasped or appreciated in Philadelphia. I only wish I had the restoration of one of those old Philadelphia houses with _carte blanche_ to do with it as I liked. Confining the entire mechanism of the ménage to the back-building, the heat of PLATE XLV. [Illustration: WATKINSON HOUSE, MIDDLETOWN, CONN. EPOCH 1810.] [Illustration: BENEFIT STREET, PROVIDENCE.]