VICTORIAN ERA SPECTACULAR
OBSTINACY OR RIGIDITY
"AN ELASTIC TENSION AND COMMUNICATION OF FORCE FROM PART TO PART...EXPRESSION OF ENERGY IN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE ORNAMENT ITSELF...PRICKLY...JUTTING...THORNY, BOSSY, AND BRISTLY..NEVER FOR AN INSTANT LANGUID...VIGOUR OF EFFECT, RATHER THAN REFINEMENT OF TEXTURE OR ACCURACY OF FORM...IMPATIENCE OF UNDUE CONTROL...VIGOROUS AND VARIOUS MASSES, AND DARINGLY PROJECTING AND INDEPENDENT STRUCTURE"
-Ruskin
The top of these
columns at the Waxahachie Courthouse express the
"prickly" nature of the Gothic spice that Ruskin refers
to in his "The Stones of Venice." The structure has a
sort of "bossy" nature about it in the column's
hard-to-see engraved foilage. Above the columns are other
engravings which you can make out in the background of this
photo. These added features create a break in the construction,
from the smooth outer walls to an instant "tension"
"from part to part." The picture at right is a daytime
photo of the Courthouse. 
The clock on the front of the building
serves as an "independent structure" in its own right.
The clock seems to be the theme of the Victorian period, in that
time became an evident fixture that life schedules depended upon.
The clock had to be answered to and in effect became
"independent" and and "expression of energy."
The Gothic architects would include items on their buildings
without giving thought to function. In other words they practiced
a sort of "form before function". This directly relates
to Ruskin's comment on the "impatience of undue
control." The Courthouse possesses several aspects of this
idea beginning with the tall cylindrical spires that cover the
edifice. The designer of this building used these decorations
several times exhibiting his disregard for function.
All quotes are taken from author John Ruskin's "The Stones of Venice." (1853)