DOI Seite / Zitierlink:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62267#0104
94
CLASSICAL TOUR.
Ch. IV.
entrances. But these celebrated gates the French
had levelled to the ground, together with the
ramparts, the walks and the plantations, that for-
merly encircled the town as with a forest.
The misfortune of Turin has been, that while
both its sovereigns and its inhabitants wanted nei-
ther means nor inclination to embellish it, no ar-
chitect of correct taste was found to second their
wishes. The two principal persons of that des-
cription employed at Turin, Guarini and Juvara,
whatever might have been their talents, were de-
ficient in judgment, and preferred the twisted,
tortured curves and angles of Borromini, to the
unbroken lines and simple forms of antiquity.
Novelty, not purity, and .prettiness instead of ma-
jesty, seem to have been their sole object. Hence
this city does not, I believe, present one chaste
model, one simple grand specimen in the ancient
style, to challenge the admiration of the traveller.
Every edifice, whatsoever its destination may be,
whether church or theatre, hospital or palace, is
encumbered with whimsical ornaments, is all
glare and glitter, gaiety and confusion. In vain
does the eye seek for repose, the mind long for
simplicity. Gilding and flourishing blaze on all
sides, and we turn away from the gaudy shew,
dazzled and disgusted. The cathedral is an old
Gothic edifice, in no respect remarkable; at its
CLASSICAL TOUR.
Ch. IV.
entrances. But these celebrated gates the French
had levelled to the ground, together with the
ramparts, the walks and the plantations, that for-
merly encircled the town as with a forest.
The misfortune of Turin has been, that while
both its sovereigns and its inhabitants wanted nei-
ther means nor inclination to embellish it, no ar-
chitect of correct taste was found to second their
wishes. The two principal persons of that des-
cription employed at Turin, Guarini and Juvara,
whatever might have been their talents, were de-
ficient in judgment, and preferred the twisted,
tortured curves and angles of Borromini, to the
unbroken lines and simple forms of antiquity.
Novelty, not purity, and .prettiness instead of ma-
jesty, seem to have been their sole object. Hence
this city does not, I believe, present one chaste
model, one simple grand specimen in the ancient
style, to challenge the admiration of the traveller.
Every edifice, whatsoever its destination may be,
whether church or theatre, hospital or palace, is
encumbered with whimsical ornaments, is all
glare and glitter, gaiety and confusion. In vain
does the eye seek for repose, the mind long for
simplicity. Gilding and flourishing blaze on all
sides, and we turn away from the gaudy shew,
dazzled and disgusted. The cathedral is an old
Gothic edifice, in no respect remarkable; at its