DOI Page / Citation link:
https://doi.org/10.11588/diglit.62828#0059
of this fort have their ufefulnefs for a time; and, when through
change of faihions they are become obfolete, they ferve to fliew’
the tafte of former times.
I /hall now conclude this account of books of defigns with
obferving, that in the fame year was given a quarto book of
different pieces of furniture, with the Cabinet-maker’s London
Book of Prices; and, confidering that it did not make its appear-
ance under the title of a Book of Defigns, but only to illuftrate
the prices, it certainly lays claim to merit, and does honour to
the publifhers. Whether they had the advantage * of feeing
Heppelwhite’s book before theirs was publifhed I know not;
but it may be obferved, with juftice, that their defigns are more
fafhionable and ufeful than his, in proportion to their number.
Upon the whole then, if the intended publication, which
now petitions your patronage and fupport, be fo compiled and
compofed as fully to anfwer, and alfo to merit, the title which
has been given to it, I think it will be found greatly to fupply
the defeats of thofe books now mentioned, and will appear to
* This is not meant to insinuate any difrefpectful idea of the abilities of thofe who
drew the defigns in the Cabinet-maker’s Book of Prices. I doubt not but they were capable
of doing more than Heppelwhite has done, without the advantage of feeing his book : and it
may be, for any thing I know, that the advantage was given on their fide.
b 2 - be
change of faihions they are become obfolete, they ferve to fliew’
the tafte of former times.
I /hall now conclude this account of books of defigns with
obferving, that in the fame year was given a quarto book of
different pieces of furniture, with the Cabinet-maker’s London
Book of Prices; and, confidering that it did not make its appear-
ance under the title of a Book of Defigns, but only to illuftrate
the prices, it certainly lays claim to merit, and does honour to
the publifhers. Whether they had the advantage * of feeing
Heppelwhite’s book before theirs was publifhed I know not;
but it may be obferved, with juftice, that their defigns are more
fafhionable and ufeful than his, in proportion to their number.
Upon the whole then, if the intended publication, which
now petitions your patronage and fupport, be fo compiled and
compofed as fully to anfwer, and alfo to merit, the title which
has been given to it, I think it will be found greatly to fupply
the defeats of thofe books now mentioned, and will appear to
* This is not meant to insinuate any difrefpectful idea of the abilities of thofe who
drew the defigns in the Cabinet-maker’s Book of Prices. I doubt not but they were capable
of doing more than Heppelwhite has done, without the advantage of feeing his book : and it
may be, for any thing I know, that the advantage was given on their fide.
b 2 - be