"In their private dwellings the Egyptians sometimes used graceful columns and the true arch (both of which forms the Greeks may have learned from them); but for their more important buildings they preferred massive walls and rows of huge, close-set columns, supporting roofs of immense flat slabs of rock." - West, 1904

A Capital from Karnak

"In their private dwellings the Egyptians sometimes used graceful columns and the true arch (both of…

"Colossal Man-Beast in alabaster, from the Palace of Sargon (now in the Louvre)." - West, 1904

Colossal Man-Beast

"Colossal Man-Beast in alabaster, from the Palace of Sargon (now in the Louvre)." - West, 1904

"A Lion Hunt. --Assyrian relief; from Rawlinson.' -West, 1904

A Lion Hunt Relief

"A Lion Hunt. --Assyrian relief; from Rawlinson.' -West, 1904

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States of America.

Cuban pine (pinus cubensis Griseb.). Two-thirds natural size. closed cone

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States…

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States of America.

Cuban pine (pinus cubensis Griseb.). Two-thirds natural size. open cone

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States…

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States of America.

Cuban pine (pinus cubensis Griseb.). Two-thirds natural size. apophyses

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States…

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States of America.

Cuban pine (pinus cubensis Griseb.). Two-thirds natural size. cone scales, dorsal view

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States…

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States of America.

Cuban pine (pinus cubensis Griseb.). Two-thirds natural size. cone scales, ventral view

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States…

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States of America.

Cuban pine (pinus cubensis Griseb.). Two-thirds natural size. seed

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States…

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States of America.

Cuban pine (pinus cubensis Griseb.). Two-thirds natural size. seed wings dorsal view

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States…

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States of America.

Cuban pine (pinus cubensis Griseb.). Two-thirds natural size. seed wings ventral view

The Cuban pine, which occurs mostly in the West Indies and South America, as well as the Gulf States…

Illustration of a cross section of a westfield seek-no-further apple.

Westfield Seek-No-Further Apple

Illustration of a cross section of a westfield seek-no-further apple.

Illustration of a westfield seek-no-further apple.

Westfield Seek-No-Further Apple

Illustration of a westfield seek-no-further apple.

Illustration of a fire-fly commonly found in the West Indies. Its scientific name is Pyrophorus noctilucus.

Fire-fly

Illustration of a fire-fly commonly found in the West Indies. Its scientific name is Pyrophorus noctilucus.

Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, Virginia is a geological formation in which Cedar Creek (a small tributary of the James River) has carved out a gorge in the mountainous limestone terrain, forming an arch 215 ft (66 m) high with a span of 90 ft (27 m).

Natural Bridge, Virginia

Natural Bridge in Rockbridge County, Virginia is a geological formation in which Cedar Creek (a small…

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 3.2 kilometres (2.0 mi) west of Amesbury and 13 kilometres (8.1 mi) north of Salisbury. One of the most famous prehistoric sites in the world, Stonehenge is composed of earthworks surrounding a circular setting of large standing stones.

Ruins at Stonehenge

Stonehenge is a prehistoric monument located in the English county of Wiltshire, about 3.2 kilometres…

The present building is widely regarded as one of the finest Norman cathedrals in the country, with a particularly fine doorway at its western (main) entrance. The tympanum depicts Christ sitting in glory in the centre, with Justus and Ethelbert flanking him on either side of the doorway.

Rochester Cathedral, West Door

The present building is widely regarded as one of the finest Norman cathedrals in the country, with…

York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is the second largest of its kind in Northern Europe. It is the seat of the Archbishop of York, and cathedral for the Diocese of York, and is run by a Dean and Chapter under the Dean of York. Its formal title is The Cathedral and Metropolitical Church of St. Peter in York.

West Front of York Minster

York Minster is a Gothic cathedral in York, England and is the second largest of its kind in Northern…

The monastery of Lindisfarne was founded by Irish born Saint Aidan, who had been sent from Iona off the west coast of Scotland to Northumbria at the request of King Oswald around AD 635. It became the base for Christian evangelizing in the North of England and also sent a successful mission to Mercia.

Lindisfarne Priory Ruins before 1860

The monastery of Lindisfarne was founded by Irish born Saint Aidan, who had been sent from Iona off…

Chichester Cathedral in Chichester, West Sussex, England is an Anglican Cathedral. The Cathedral was founded in 1075, after the seat of the bishop was transferred to the town from nearby Selsey. It was consecrated in 1108.

Chichester Cathedral

Chichester Cathedral in Chichester, West Sussex, England is an Anglican Cathedral. The Cathedral was…

"Swietenia mahagoni. 1. a flower; 2. a cup of stamens spread open, and the pistil; 3. fruit; 4. a seed; 5. a section of it to show the crosscut embryo." -Lindley, 1853

West Indian Mahogany

"Swietenia mahagoni. 1. a flower; 2. a cup of stamens spread open, and the pistil; 3. fruit; 4. a seed;…

Alfred the Great (c. 849 – 26 October 899) was king of the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex from 871 to 899. Alfred is noted for his defense of the kingdom against the Danish Vikings, becoming the only English King to be awarded the epithet "the Great". Alfred was the first King of the West Saxons to style himself "King of the Anglo-Saxons".

Alfred the Great

Alfred the Great (c. 849 – 26 October 899) was king of the southern Anglo-Saxon kingdom of Wessex…

Within Roman Catholicism, a monk is a member of a religious order who lives a communal life in a monastery, abbey, or priory under a monastic rule of life (such as the Rule of St. Benedict) and under the vows of poverty, chastity, and obedience. St. Benedict of Nursia is considered to be the founder of western monasticism. He established the first monastic community in the west and authored the Rule of St. Benedict, which is the foundation for the Order of St. Benedict and all of its reforms such as the Cistercians and the Trappists.

Benedictine Monk

Within Roman Catholicism, a monk is a member of a religious order who lives a communal life in a monastery,…

"Prodeo et Ecclesia" translates to "For God and the Church""Regno et Patria" translates roughly to "Kingdom and Fatherland"

Prodeo et Ecclesia

"Prodeo et Ecclesia" translates to "For God and the Church" "Regno et Patria" translates roughly to…

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and a former Benedictine monastery in Bath, Somerset, England. Founded in the 7th century, reorganized in the 10th century and rebuilt in the 12th and 16th centuries, it is one of the largest examples of Perpendicular Gothic architecture in the West Country.

Bath Abbey (Cathedral) Church

The Abbey Church of Saint Peter, Bath, commonly known as Bath Abbey, is an Anglican parish church and…

The Cathedral of Constance (Konstanzer Münster in German) served as the central church of the diocese of Konstanz until 1821. Records indicate that in 590 the Alemannic diocese of Constance is established. The former bishopric of Vindonissa was replaced by Lausanne in the west and Constance in the east.

Constance Cathedral

The Cathedral of Constance (Konstanzer Münster in German) served as the central church of the diocese…

The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas, was the first major land battle of the American Civil War, fought on July 21, 1861, near Manassas, Virginia.

Battle of Bull Run

The First Battle of Bull Run, also known as the First Battle of Manassas, was the first major land battle…

Richard Foxe (sometimes Richard Fox) (c. 1448 - 5 October 1528) was an English churchman, successively Bishop of Exeter, Bath and Wells, Durham, and Winchester, Lord Privy Seal, and founder of Corpus Christi College, Oxford.

Bishop Fox

Richard Foxe (sometimes Richard Fox) (c. 1448 - 5 October 1528) was an English churchman, successively…

An illustration of Mount Vernon which is located near what is now Alexandria, Virginia. Mt. Vernon was the plantation home of the first President of the United States, George Washington. The mansion is built of wood in neoclassical Georgian architecture style, and the estate is located on the banks of the Potomac River.

Mount Vernon

An illustration of Mount Vernon which is located near what is now Alexandria, Virginia. Mt. Vernon was…

The seal of the State Department of the United States.

Seal of the State Department

The seal of the State Department of the United States.

The seal of the War Department of the United States.

Seal of the War Department

The seal of the War Department of the United States.

The seal of the Treasury Department of the United States.

Seal of the Treasury Department

The seal of the Treasury Department of the United States.

The seal of the Department of Justice of the United States.

Seal of the Department of Justice

The seal of the Department of Justice of the United States.

The seal of the Department of the Interior of the United States.

Seal of the Department of the Interior

The seal of the Department of the Interior of the United States.

The seal of the Navy Department of the United States.

Seal of the Navy Department

The seal of the Navy Department of the United States.

The seal of the Department of Agriculture of the United States.

Seal of the Department of Agriculture

The seal of the Department of Agriculture of the United States.

The seal of the Department of Commerce and Labor of the United States.

Seal of the Department of Commerce and Labor

The seal of the Department of Commerce and Labor of the United States.

The seal of the Post-Office Department of the United States.

Seal of the Post-Office Department

The seal of the Post-Office Department of the United States.

The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, fought near the village of Spotsylvania Courthouse, Virginia, from April 30 to May 6, 1863.

Ruins of Chancellorsville

The Battle of Chancellorsville was a major battle of the American Civil War, fought near the village…

Founded in the Saxon period, the architecture is mainly Norman following a rebuilding in the 12th century. With Durham and Ely Cathedrals, it is one of the most important 12th century buildings in England to have remained largely intact, despite extensions and restoration. Peterborough Cathedral is known for its imposing Early English Gothic West Front (facade) which, with its three enormous arches, is without architectural precedent and with no direct successor.

Peterborough Cathedral

Founded in the Saxon period, the architecture is mainly Norman following a rebuilding in the 12th century.…

Green Clay was an American surveyor, representative to the Virginia legislature, general of the Kentucky militia during the War of 1812.

Green Clay

Green Clay was an American surveyor, representative to the Virginia legislature, general of the Kentucky…

The state seal of Colorado.

State Seal of Colorado

The state seal of Colorado.

Vincent Colyer (1825 - July 12, 1888) was a successful American artist noted for the images he created of the American West and a humanitarian who worked with philanthropic and Christian groups and the U.S. government to try to help freed black slaves and Native Americans.

Vincent Colyer

Vincent Colyer (1825 - July 12, 1888) was a successful American artist noted for the images he created…

The seal of the Confederate States.

Confederate States Seal

The seal of the Confederate States.

Castle Thunder, located in Richmond, Virginia, was a former tobacco warehouse located on Tobacco Row, converted into a prison used by the Confederacy to house civilian prisoners, including captured Union spies, political prisoners and those charged with treason during the American Civil War.

Castle Thunder

Castle Thunder, located in Richmond, Virginia, was a former tobacco warehouse located on Tobacco Row,…

The state seal of Connecticut.

State Seal of Connecticut

The state seal of Connecticut.

Craney Island is a point of land in the independent city of Portsmouth in the South Hampton Roads region of eastern Virginia in the United States. The location, formerly in Norfolk County, is near the mouth of the Elizabeth River opposite Lambert's Point on Hampton Roads.

The Block-House in Craney Island, 1813

Craney Island is a point of land in the independent city of Portsmouth in the South Hampton Roads region…

During the Middle Ages, Perth's only parish church was the Burgh Kirk of St. John the Baptist. With the town centre dominated by this huge building. The building was split into three congregations (the East, West and Middle Kirks), divided by internal walls, after the Reformation, and was only returned to its medieval proportions in the 1920s by Sir Robert Lorimer, who restored the building as a war-memorial for those soldiers from Perthshire who had fallen in the Great War.

The Old Church, Perth, N.B.

During the Middle Ages, Perth's only parish church was the Burgh Kirk of St. John the Baptist. With…

Hampton Court Palace is a former royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, south west London, England. Along with St. James's Palace, it is one of only two surviving palaces out of the many built by Henry VIII.Thomas Wolsey, then Archbishop of York and Chief Minister to the King, took over the lease in 1514 and rebuilt the 14th century manor house over the next seven years (1515–1521) to form the nucleus of the present palace. Wolsey spent lavishly to build the finest palace in England at Hampton Court, which he was later forced to give to Henry as he began to fall from favour.

Hampton Court, 17th Century

Hampton Court Palace is a former royal palace in the London Borough of Richmond upon Thames, south west…

The home of Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia.

Jefferson Davis's Home in Richmond

The home of Jefferson Davis in Richmond, Virginia.

William Henry Draper (March 11, 1801 – November 3, 1877) was a lawyer, judge and political figure in Upper Canada and Canada West.

William Henry Drayton

William Henry Draper (March 11, 1801 – November 3, 1877) was a lawyer, judge and political figure…

The seal of Lord John Murray of Dunmore.

Seal of Lord Dunmore

The seal of Lord John Murray of Dunmore.

The remains of John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore's palace.

Remains of Lord Dunmore's Palace

The remains of John Murray, the 4th Earl of Dunmore's palace.

The Great Fire of London, a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of London from Sunday, 2 September to Wednesday, 5 September 1666, was one of the major events in the history of England. The fire gutted the medieval City of London inside the old Roman City Wall. It threatened, but did not reach, the aristocratic district of Westminster (the modern West End), Charles II's Palace of Whitehall, and most of the suburban slums. It consumed 13,200 houses, 87 parish churches, St. Paul's Cathedral, and most of the buildings of the City authorities. It is estimated that it destroyed the homes of 70,000 of the City's ca. 80,000 inhabitants.

Great Fire of London

The Great Fire of London, a major conflagration that swept through the central parts of London from…

Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (October 22, 1693 – December 9, 1781). Various place names in Northern Virginia and West Virginia's Eastern Panhandle are named after him—most notably Fairfax County, Virginia.

Thomas Fairfax

Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron (October 22, 1693 – December 9, 1781). Various place…

Greenway Court was an estate of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron in Clarke County, Virginia, USA.

Greenway Court

Greenway Court was an estate of Thomas Fairfax, 6th Lord Fairfax of Cameron in Clarke County, Virginia,…

The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, took place on May 31 and June 1, 1862, in Henrico County, Virginia, as part of the Peninsula Campaign of the American Civil War.

Fair Oaks

The Battle of Seven Pines, also known as the Battle of Fair Oaks or Fair Oaks Station, took place on…

The <em>Hartoford</em> departed the Delaware Capes 28 January, 1862 as flagship of Flag Officer David G. Farragut, the commander of the newly created West Gulf Blockading Squadron.

The Hartford, Farragut's Flagship

The Hartoford departed the Delaware Capes 28 January, 1862 as flagship of Flag Officer David…

Cyrus West Field (November 30, 1819&ndash;July 12, 1892) was an American businessman and financier who led the Atlantic Telegraph Company, the company that successfully laid the first telegraph cable across the Atlantic Ocean in 1858.

Cyrus West Field

Cyrus West Field (November 30, 1819–July 12, 1892) was an American businessman and financier who…

John Buchanan Floyd (June 1, 1806 – August 26, 1863), was a Virginia politician (legislator and governor), U.S. Secretary of War, and the Confederate general in the American Civil War who lost the crucial Battle of Fort Donelson.

John Buchanan Floyd

John Buchanan Floyd (June 1, 1806 – August 26, 1863), was a Virginia politician (legislator and governor),…