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and variety in its ornament, as in its con-
strudtion j nor am I puritan enough to suppose,
that pillars at the porch, or pilasters within,
will hinder the fervency or acceptance of de-
votion.
We look elsewhere then for the employment
of decoration and magnificence: where the
senate of a great nation, the representatives of
a powerful and opulent people, meet to regu-
late their power and opulence ; where Royalty
eredts his throne, and the seat of government
is apparent i where foreign visitants are re-
ceived with due distindtion, whatever be their
rank ^ and where, if ever, pride, national pride
is laudable, there insert the rich entablature,
the ornamented moulding, the polished shaft j
there introduce the flowing wreath, and the
gracefully-pendant festoon : but beware even
there, that dignity is not lost in decoration,
nor genuine elegance enthralled by lavish pro-
fusion.
Or, if the nobles of the land wish to erecl
mansions suitable to their estates, I commend
the intention ; their patronage will encourage
the exertions of art, and, in return, art will
supply them with conveniences which other-
wise they could not enjoy, and with elegancies
not otherwise to be procured 5 with personal
4 accom-

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