DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.18826#0247
36 architecture, [lect. ii.
more happily adapted to its purposes than the gaudy
• St. Peter's; but, I would not confound a parish
church with the dwellings of the parochial in-
habitants around it. It requires distinction, and
variety, in its ornament, as in its construction; nor
am I Puritan enough to suppose, that pillars at the
porch, or pilasters within, would hinder the fer-
vency, or the acceptance, of devotion.
We look elsewhere then for the seat of decoration,
and magnificence; where the senate of a great
nation, the representatives of a powerful and
opulent people, meet to regulate their power and
opulence; where royalty erects its throne, and the
seat of government is apparent; where foreign vi-
sitants are received with due distinction, whatever
be their rank; and where, if ever, pride, national
pride is laudable, there introduce the rich enta-
blature, the ornamented moulding, the polished
shaft; there exhibit the flowing wreath, and the
gracefully-pendant festoon: but beware even there,
that dignity be not lost in decoration, or genuine
elegance be enthralled by lavish profusion.
Or, if the nobles of the land wish to erect man-
sions suitable to their estates, *we commend the in-
tention ; their patronage will encourage art; in rer
turn, art will supply conveniencies not otherwise
to be procured, and elegancies not otherwise to be
enjoyed; art will furnish personal accommodations
adapted to their conspicuous situations, and splendid
distinctions correspendent to their exalted dignity.
By what powers, or means, art will succeed in this
attempt, I proceed now briefly to notice.
There
more happily adapted to its purposes than the gaudy
• St. Peter's; but, I would not confound a parish
church with the dwellings of the parochial in-
habitants around it. It requires distinction, and
variety, in its ornament, as in its construction; nor
am I Puritan enough to suppose, that pillars at the
porch, or pilasters within, would hinder the fer-
vency, or the acceptance, of devotion.
We look elsewhere then for the seat of decoration,
and magnificence; where the senate of a great
nation, the representatives of a powerful and
opulent people, meet to regulate their power and
opulence; where royalty erects its throne, and the
seat of government is apparent; where foreign vi-
sitants are received with due distinction, whatever
be their rank; and where, if ever, pride, national
pride is laudable, there introduce the rich enta-
blature, the ornamented moulding, the polished
shaft; there exhibit the flowing wreath, and the
gracefully-pendant festoon: but beware even there,
that dignity be not lost in decoration, or genuine
elegance be enthralled by lavish profusion.
Or, if the nobles of the land wish to erect man-
sions suitable to their estates, *we commend the in-
tention ; their patronage will encourage art; in rer
turn, art will supply conveniencies not otherwise
to be procured, and elegancies not otherwise to be
enjoyed; art will furnish personal accommodations
adapted to their conspicuous situations, and splendid
distinctions correspendent to their exalted dignity.
By what powers, or means, art will succeed in this
attempt, I proceed now briefly to notice.
There