chieftains flain by Hengift, and many of the ftones brought from Ireland by Merdin; and against its Druidical origia he argues from the tones being wrought by hand inflead of being natural, as they were required to be, and are every where elfe found to be. "Aver bury is evidently much more antient, was upon a more magnificent and extenfive fcale; yet this is fearcely noticed by writers, nor is it known by hundreds of people in this county." (p. 143, n.) Dr. Stukeley firft brought it into public notice. The most confiderable and not correct views of Stonehenge ever yet publifhed are in Mr. King's elegant work already noticed. Two of thefe were drawn by the Rev. Mr. Racket, and are etched in a very tatty and afterly fiyle by Mr. Storer. Another, from the correct pencil of Mr. Hearne, is published by Mr. Byrne, in his Antiquities. This is a beautiful picture, with a fine grand effect; but it is only a partial view of fome of the ftones. The accuracy of my own can best be afcertained by thofe who will compare it with the ftructure; yet I fear that, notwithstanding all my endeavours to be exact, fome faults may fill exift." (p. 145.)

"At Ludgerfhall, as in many borough-towns, every free houfe is numbered with large figures; glaring tiginas of venality! In Grofe's Antiquities there is fuch an unmeaning and infignificant picture of the caftle that it is furprifing how any author or book feller of credit could ever think of prefenting it to the publick. Both in deign and execution it is too taftelefs even for the decoration of a common ballad. (pp. 156, 157.) As this is the only print of this ruin, it were to be wished that Mr. B. had obliged us with a better.

Savernake foreft and Tottenham park houfe, the feat of the Earl of Aylefbury, are next decribed, with the family-pictures, celebrated horn (on which fee Dean Milles, in Archaeologia, IL. 24, art. VII.), llar with infcriptions to Gratitude, to his Lordship's uncle, who left him the eftate, to his Majefty, who made im an earl, and to God, "whole bling confecrated every gift, and fixeth its true value,” and in commemoration of the King's recovery, 1789. Among the remains of Wolf-hall, the feat of the Seymours, is fhown a barn where the wedding of Henry VIII. with Jane Seymour was

faid to be folemnized, and the dinner ferved up; and remnants of the tapef try which decorated it, with the hooks that faftened it, are still fhown." (p. 168.)

Mr. B. inclines to transfer Cunelio from Marlborough to the interfection of two Roman ways at Crossford, within two miles of Chiflury enfile (p. 171); and Verlucio at Heddington (p. 196.)Not Gough but LELAND fays, the pris ory was for White friers, founded by John Goodwin and William Reme bech. (p. 176.)

The inhabitants of the village of Stoke have, under the foftering hand of Mr. Smith of Stoke park, one of the reprefentatives of Devizes, been accommodated with comfortable dwellings. (p. 203.)

While Mr. B. controverts the originality of the figures of white horfes cut on the Wiltshire hills, he entertains his readers with traditions of the great privileges of Wellbury, equal to those of Bristol (p. 211), and the conveyance of deer by a skirted road of broad cloth, conftructed by the clothiers (p. 215), as if deer-carts were not known 150 years ago; but he very properly (p. 214) guards us from indifcriminate ufe of the term picturefque, fo fre' quently made ufe of by Mr. Gilpin as to have become, in the mouth of every coxcomb, male or female, who can handle the pencil, "a term of vague and indefinite meaning," like the word genteel, and many others of the prefent day.

The pictures at Bowood, the Marquis of Lanfdown's feat, are chiefly landfcapes by English artists, and English portraits. One of Oliver Cromwell, on leaf-gold, faid to be by Walker, the Protector's favourite artift, and purchafed of the "King's librarian.” (p. 219.) What king, and what librarian? We have heard of pictures injudiciously turned out of fome of our palaces, and books out of the royal library: "The cafcade was defigned by a man of real tafte, Mr. Hamerton, of Painfhill, who took a picture of N. Pouffin's for his model. Mr. Jofiah Lane ailified in the formation of this ftupendous work, but it was finished under the direction of

*S carelefs are our modern topogra phers, that Robertion, in his "Topogra phical Survey of the great Road from London to Bath and Br ftol," has confounded the White horse at Cherrill with that at Bratton," (P. 234-)

the

the prefent Marquis." (p. 221.) Near the aviary is a remarkable echo, which repeats every word three or four tinies, and every tone and inflection of the voice is diftinctly heard. On a rifing ground, a mile Weft from the house, in a thick folemn wood, is the mautoleum erected by the Earl of Shelburne, and containing a marble tomb, with an infeription to the memory of John Petty, Earl of Shelburne, who died in 1761. The Marquis has commenced the execution of a defigu of reducing all the LARGE farms on his eftates at the expiration of his leafes; and Mr, B. heard many praifeworthy anecdotes of him on the fubject of the gameJaws, &c. (p. 227); and the new-built ctione houfes erected by him at the entrance of Calne are let to the tenants at the fame low rents as formerly. (p. 282.)

Mr. B. appropriates a chapter to his native town of Chippenham, and very properly applauds the good fenfe of its inhabitants in abrogating their annual feafts, and applying the money to defray the charges of paving the fireets, altering the bridge, and other useful improvements. Wherever the promiles for fuch laudable undertakings have been violated by their reprefentatives, will the gentlemen of larger corporations evince the poffeffion of as much good fente?" (p. 247.) Mr. Fludver rather exceeded his promiles after his election than ftopped fhort in performing them, and opened the way to the great improvement of the town and its cloathing manufacture, which, however, had an unfortunate termination in a divsion of electioneering interefis, the clothiers claiming, againft the townfmen, a right to nominate both reprefentatives, which they obtained, by compromife, only for one. Mr. B. fhows clearly that machinery, which has opened the way to the harveft of British muflins, calicoes, dimities, ginghams, &c. has had a contrary effect in the woollen manufacture, thrown thousands out of employment, without improving the manufacture, either in texture or variety, or reducing the price. The morality of Chippenham is that of all manufacturing towns; but, among the lower class, inebriation* ap

This is a favourite word with our author, who has applied it to the annual borough feats here, wherein Reafon used to be facrificed on the altar of Inebriation and Guteny. Was there no Latin word to fupply the place of the latter?

pears now to be generally exploded. (p. 257.) Without any particular attachment to fect, the Prefbyterians are now fucceeded by Methodijts, alias Independents, alias Calvinists; and "the pulpit is frequently occupied by preachers of divers opinions; fo that it may of courfe be concluded that the inhabitants, of all ranks and denominations, oocafionally attend, without any idea of forfaking either the establishment or their own particular focieties." (p. 258.) Are they then red in any opinion?

It is furely fufficient condemnation of modern imitators of Gothic, that the centre of the North front of Cortham houfe is modeled from the chapel of Henry VII. at Weimintier, and this becaufe the houfe adjoins to a town, and is not fituated in the centre of its efiate. With any other view than to unite the town and country collection of pictures in an additional building. we muft confider all the reafoning of Mr. Repton's Red Book as abfolutely ill-founded.

"The pictures at Corfham amount to 356 pieces, the principal of which are not only by the most celebrated mafters, but the major part of them are the chef d'oeuvres of the refpective ariifis." (p. 286.) A sketch of the life of the collector is added, which reprefents him as a high-spirited, indepen dent Englishman.

At Bradford the government of the poor, of whom there are a confiderable number, is attended with some degree of fingularity. They are under the management of an overieer, elected by houfekeepers paying the ninepenny rate, whofe place is for life. The pro priety of this meafure is fomewhat questionable. Great power lodged in the hands of an individual is generally abufed; his falary is 5001. per annum. The population is estimated at 12,000; but Mr. Barker, the late intelligent rector, conjectured that 9000 was much nearer the truth. The diffoluteness of the people is manifefted by numerous inftances of fcrophula; even leprofy is not uncommon. The beds of the infected perfons are found of a morning covered with a farinaceous fubstance, like flour. Probably a collateral caufe of thefe fevere afflictions may be traced in the qualities of the water that is drunk by the inhabitants, molt of which is impregnated with fixed air and magnefin. This water flows, in a number of little ftreams, from the furrounding

hill

bills, and is generally preferred to that of the river, which, by the number of dye-houfes feated on its banks, is rendered very often torbid and unwholefome. The health of the poor is committed to the care of a furgeon, who has a falary of 250 guineas yearly allowed him by the corporation, befides 2s. 6d. for every inoculation and delivery. Bradford is the largest and most regular in its manufacture of any in Wilts, perhaps in the kingdom; one manufactory alone employs from 1000 to 1500 perfons. The inhabitants are chiefly employed in making of fine broad cloths, from 10 to 12,000 pieces being fent away annually. The number of men, women, and children employed, notwithstanding the advantage of machinery, is very great. A perfon making 10 cloths weekly employs from 190 to 150 people of every defcription. The number of clothiers is between 60 and 70, each houfe manufacturing to the extent of its capital. (p. 805-308.) Here Mr. B. fufpends his labours for the prefent; but, fhould the foregoing Sketches (which, with all their imperfections, certainly contain information) merit the approbation of the nobility aud gentry of the county, and the majority of his readers, he propofes to publifh a third volume in the courfe of the enfuing year, for the completion of which he has already collected much information, and polletles many original papers; but, in order to render this portion of his work as perfect as poffible, he earnestly folicits the free and candid communications of thofe perfons who may poffefs any documents, or whofe knowledge may furnifh them with opportunities for defcribing the following or any other places unnoticed in thefe volumes: Trowbridge, Laycock, Melksham, Avebury, Spy park, Cafle Comb, Kington St. Michael, Draycott, Stanton St. Quintin, Bradenfloke, Mulmftury, Sherflon, Euston Grey, Cricklade, Charlton park, Swindon, Highworth, Wotton-Ballet, Ledyard, Tregufe, Littlecole, Rainsky,

&c. &c.

149. Plans, and Views in Perspective, with Deferiptions, of Buildings crecied in England and Scotland; and also, an Effay to elucidate the Grecian, Roman, and Gothic Architecture, accompanied with Designs. By Robert Mitchell, Architect.

"THE plates in this work are, a reprefentation of a portion of the build

ings Mr. M. has been employed in conftructing, the four laft plates excepted, which are defigns intended to elucidate an effay on architecture. This diflertation on the three ftyles of architecture he is defirous may be read with attention, and particularly what relates to the Gothic architecture, as it will be found to contain, he conceives, fomething new on this interefting fubject. If what has been advanced can contribute to remove thofe prejudices which have long prevailed again a ftyle of architecture that is the fource of much pleafure to many, his intentions will be fully gratified, and his wifhes.completely gratified."

Mr. M. confines the Gothic flyle of architecture between the reigns of Ed-· ward I. and Henry VIII. In the early part of this period it was fometimes mixed with rude forums, and, in the latter, fo overcharged with decorations as to deftroy that elegant fimplicity which confitutes purity of ftyle. During the time mentioned there were edifices erected which, in ̈ all their parts, can be offered as ade- : quate examples of pure Gothic architecture."

The defigns given by Mr. M. are, the entrance-front of Selwood park. Berks, the feat of James Sibbald, etq.; plan of the principal floor; front towards the pleasure-grounds; perfpective view of the great fair-cafe, which forms alfo a mufick-gallery.

Elevations of the North and South fronts, and plan of the bed-chambers, &c. of Heath-lane lodge at Twickenham, the refidence of Mr. Swainton, with a botanic garden.

View of Cotteflrooke houfe, co. Northampton, the feat of Sir William Langham, bart.

Plans and views of Moore place, co. Herts, the feat of James Gordon, efq.

South and North fronts, and plans of offices, of Preflon-hall, in Mid-Lothian, the feat of Sir John Callander, bart.

Section of the rotunda for the Panorama in Leicefier-fquare.

From whatever originals the defigns to elucidate the Grecian and Roman ar chitecture may be formed, we venture to affirm that none can be found, like that of the Gothic in this work.

Mr M. obferves of Gothic architec ture, that the parts are admirably conftructed for the eve to embrace the whole. The column is formed, gene

Tully,

rally, of an affemblage of vertical mouldings, or of a bundle of rods, which act as conductors to the eye. There is little or no obliacle from the capitals; the eye then glides along the painted arch, and, not meeting with any interruption, embraces the upper parts of the building. In its progrefs the eye is aided by the vertical torus, or one of the rods which form the coJun; then pierces the capital, and afcends to the roof, and from which fpring the ribs of the vaulting. The exterior of a Gothic building is equally well contructed to produce the fame effects. In plate XVIII. the columns with their pointed arches, which form the portal, are conductors to the eye; the pediment, unlike to what we find in the Grecian or Roman architecture, has not any horizontal cornice; the eye, from not being interrupted, rifes to the point of the pediment, or to the apex of the pinnacle over it. The Banks of a cathedral produce the fame effect; the eye is conducted by the buttreffes, and afcends to the extremity of the pinnacles. It is in this manner, it will be found, that the numerous vertical lines, as well as the pyramidal forms, in a Gothic building, produce the powerful effects or irreliftible imprettion made by the Gothic architecture. If we confider how fcrupulous the antients were in giving correct proportions to their columns, and that it was their unvaried opinion that thefe could not be difpenfed with, unless by abandoning every thing that was graceful or beautiful in architecture; when we reflect that a ftyle of architecture, as is the cafe in the Gothic, has been fince inverted, and established in practice, in which correct forms or firict proportions have been difregarded, and, notwithstanding which, effects are produced in this ftyle of architecture which, in certain cafes, make ftronger impreffions upon the mind than can be effected by the Greek or Roman; it will then be confelled, that, in the whole circle of human knowledge, there is no example of fo aftonithing a revolution taking place in any art or fcience. Every man of unbiaffed mind muft from this perceive that, in the extenfion of science, there is an abfurdity to fuppofe that any thing is arrived at a perfection fo as to preclude all attempts to advance it fill farther. The ftudy of the Gothic would be found a fource of pleasure to thefe who delight

in architecture if investigated with candour, and juft conceptions were formed of it. The Greek and Roman architecture will ever charm, from their beautiful forms, all perfons of real tafte; but compofitions in thefe ftyles, from being the refult of pofitive rules, are eafily comprehended, and foon lofe the attraction of novelty. Whilft the Gothic edifices are found to poffefs infinite variety, their compofitions require more ingenuity and fcienee to produce them, and are more difficult to be comprehended; from thefe circumances it is that we never return to examine a Gothic structure without finding new fubjects for contemplation. From the reign of Henry VIII. when the Gothic architecture was fuperfeded by the introduction of the Grecian, a molt violent prejudice has ever fince prevailed against the Gothic; it has been fubject to every mifreprefentation, in which architects of great celebrity have taken the lead. But this conduct, if impartially confidered, has arifen from an erroneous principle, in condemning the Gothic architecture, on account of its not having the forms and proportions found in the Greek and Roman. How unfair is this manner of proceeding, if the Gothic is confidered as an original ftyle of architecture, which certainly it is, and wholly unconnected with any other! for, furely it must be unreasonable to expect the fame properties in two things which have not any refemblance to one another. The author, while inveftigating this fubject, has endeavoured to remove every prejudice againft this fpecies of architecture, defirous that it may have its fair weight in the feale, according to its real me rits. Should this take place, little doubt can remain that, with the aid of fo much fuperiority, in every fcience, which now prevails, this ftyle of architecture would arrive at a perfection hitherto unknown. The author declines at prefent entering farther into this fubject, as he has been for fome time employed in collecting materials for an extenfive treatife on the Gothic architecture, and which may fee the light fhould this publication meet with a favourable reception." (p. 18-15.)— On this account we fufpend any ftrictures on the example he has given of that Ayle in plate XVIII, which is not a fpecimen of any antient Gothic, or of the fiyle before the reign of Hen

ry