Vivian, George: A letter to W. R. Hamilton, Esq., with remarks on some passages in his second letter to the Earl of Elgin, on the propriety of adopting the Greek style of architecture, in the new Houses of Parliament (London, 1837)

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I have now adverted to what appears to me to
be not altogether fair, as regards the Members of
the Commission, and the successful architect. Al-
low me to make one observation before I close,
forced upon me by the perusal of your Letter;
I cannot help thinking that a partiality rather too
exclusive for pure Greek, has disinclined you to
give as much attention to the architecture of the
Middle Ages, as, with all its imperfections, it may
deserve. I am strengthened in this opinion, from the
fact that Eaton Hall is the work you have singled
out to cite by name, as a sample of Modern Gothic.
" Even the great mansion of Eaton, you say,
would appear poor and dwarfish, in juxtaposition
with its near neighbour of Chester, the least remark-
able of our diocesan Churches." Where, I ask,
would the architecture of this signal failure appear
any thing but poor ?

I am sure you will excuse the freedom of criti.
cism with which my opinions have now been com-
municated. From many parts of your letter I have
derived both pleasure and instruction. Perhaps,
if the subject ever again occupies your thoughts,
you will not confound the Committees who deter-
mined the styles to be adopted in the New Houses
of Parliament, and the Commissioners, who selected
the plan as so prescribed. We had no choice but
to fulfil in letter and spirit, the instructions of the
Committees ; and individually, I would never
have consented that even the most perfect plan