OF ARCHITECTURE, SCULPTURE, AND PAINTING; EXEMPLIFIED BY A SERIES OF ILLUSTRATIONS, WITH DESCRIPTIVE ACCOUNTS OF THE HOUSE AND GALLERIES OF JOHN SOANE, PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE IN THE ROYAL ACADEMY-FELLOW OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY AND SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, PRINTED FOR THE AUTHOR, BURTON STREET; SOLD BY LONGMAN AND CO. PATERNOSTER ROW; M DCCC XXVII. ΤΟ HIS MOST SACRED MAJESTY GEORGE THE FOURTH, KING OF GREAT BRITAIN, ETC. ETC. ETC. SIRE, THE intimate" Union of Painting, Sculpture and Architecture," like the Union of the three Kingdoms, is calculated to promote the interests, augment the influence, and enhance the powers of all. As in our wiselyframed Constitution, the three degrees of King, Lords, and Commons tend mutually to protect and give energy to each other, so the three Sister Arts, by cordial co-operation, promote the harmony and dominion of the whole. Architecture, like the monarch, is, however, the head, and paramount power. In proportion to its merits will be its influence; and, whilst it generously fosters and provides alike for the wants and the luxuries of the other two, it guarantees its own usefulness and dignity. At this auspicious epoch, when peace prevails over Europe, and the Fine Arts of the English School are making rapid advances in the career of fame, it is well known that Your Majesty will graciously encourage every literary and graphic essay that is calculated to do honour to its author and to the country. Under Your Majesty's fostering auspices, we may fairly anticipate, that, whilst the Metropolitan and Country Palaces of the Kingdom are rapidly advancing in execution, they will arouse a spirit of emulation and good taste, which may tend to exalt the character of its Artists in the estimation of other empires, and place them in proud comparison with the most illustrious names of antiquity. If the talented men of a kingdom be regarded as the satellites of its greatness and glory, they can never shine so resplendently, as when warmed and enlightened by the vivifying powers of royal taste and patronage. Sanctioned and commanded by Your Majesty, Mr. Soane designed and erected the splendid Royal Gallery to the House of Lords; and under the immediate patronage of Your Majesty's revered Father, the same Architect made a magnificent design for the two Houses of Parliament, which would have been erected, but for the expensive wars which had impoverished the country at the time it received the royal and ministerial sanction. |