DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18826#0217
16 ARCHITECTURE. [LECT. I.
hospitality, which, in some degree, corrected the
ferocity of ignorance. But, as learning dissipated
the clouds of barbarism, the advantages of a just
tafte became more conspicuous, and gradually dis-
played themselves in the superiority they imparted
to domestic residences. Hence, in towns, splendid
palaces, magnificent offices, comfortable dwellings,
and spacious streets; in the country, noble seats,
and decorated retirements; the elegant pleasures of
a gentleman's villa, or the salubrious enjoyments of
the ornamented farm.
With regret we omit to instance correspondent
improvement in the public buildings of the British
nation: our national palace, our senate houses, and
most of our public offices, are, and till lately all
were, totally unworthy of this great people; but
we have made a beginning, and it is to be hoped
the case may hereafter be changed; and that, fol-
lowing our example, posterity may be induced to
complete the undertaking.
At prefent, I apprehend, the science of Ar-
chitecture is no where more cultivated, or better
understood, than in England; many of the seats of
our nobility, and gentry, attest this truth: and,
though in most of our towns, our brick edifices
are not equal in appearance to the stone buildings
of certain cities abroad; yet in finishing, in con-
venience, in distribution, and in neatness, we
very much excel them, and, while the real enjoy-
ments ct life continue to be of more intrinsic
Talue ana consequence than the tinsel of external
finery, may this distinction ever be characteristic
of the British Nation!
OBSERVA-
%
hospitality, which, in some degree, corrected the
ferocity of ignorance. But, as learning dissipated
the clouds of barbarism, the advantages of a just
tafte became more conspicuous, and gradually dis-
played themselves in the superiority they imparted
to domestic residences. Hence, in towns, splendid
palaces, magnificent offices, comfortable dwellings,
and spacious streets; in the country, noble seats,
and decorated retirements; the elegant pleasures of
a gentleman's villa, or the salubrious enjoyments of
the ornamented farm.
With regret we omit to instance correspondent
improvement in the public buildings of the British
nation: our national palace, our senate houses, and
most of our public offices, are, and till lately all
were, totally unworthy of this great people; but
we have made a beginning, and it is to be hoped
the case may hereafter be changed; and that, fol-
lowing our example, posterity may be induced to
complete the undertaking.
At prefent, I apprehend, the science of Ar-
chitecture is no where more cultivated, or better
understood, than in England; many of the seats of
our nobility, and gentry, attest this truth: and,
though in most of our towns, our brick edifices
are not equal in appearance to the stone buildings
of certain cities abroad; yet in finishing, in con-
venience, in distribution, and in neatness, we
very much excel them, and, while the real enjoy-
ments ct life continue to be of more intrinsic
Talue ana consequence than the tinsel of external
finery, may this distinction ever be characteristic
of the British Nation!
OBSERVA-
%