nature; and the theatric staircase designed and just erected by Mr. Chute, at his seat of the Vine in Hampshire. If a model is sought of the most perfect taste in architecture, where grace softens dignity, and lightness attempers magnificence; where proportion removes every part from peculiar observation, and delicacy of execution recalls every part to notice; where the position is the most happy, and even the colour of the stone the most harmonious ; the virtuoso should be directed to the new front 1 of Wentworth-castle 2 the result of the same elegant judgment that had before distributed so many beauties over that domain, and called from wood, water, hills, prospects and buildings, a compendium of picturesque nature, improved by the chastity of art. Such an era will demand a better historian. With pleasure, therefore, I resign my pen; presuming to recommend nothing to my successor, but to observe a strict impartiality.
August 2, 1770.
MR. DALLAWAY.
"Ut possit videri nullâ sorte nascendi, ætas felicior quam nostar, cui docendæ priores elaboraverunt."—Quintil. lib. xii. cap. 11.
WALPOLE's Essay on Modern Gardening, when it first appeared, was considered to be at once so elegantly written, and so comprehensive in his mode of treating the subject, that it was not then surmised so much remained to be said. But he has excited many discussions, concerning both the theory and the practice. The world of taste has been informed by the principles of many authors in didactic poetry or controversial prose; the latter conducted with so much acrimony as to have interrupted friendships, like
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Publication information:
Book title: Anecdotes of Painting in England: With Some Account of the Principal Artists.
Volume: 3.
Contributors: Horace Walpole - Author.
Publisher: Swan Sonnenschein.
Place of publication: London.
Publication year: 1888.
Page number: 93.
This material is protected by copyright and, with the exception of fair use, may not be further copied, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means.
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