70 SKETCHES BY A PRACTISING ARCHITECT. 



street and number being advertised in the Academy 

 Catalogue, he hourly expects a call from some fascina- 

 ted man of judgment, who may safely conclude, that 

 the author of a " royal palace," " triumphal entrance," 

 '^ national mausoleum," and " senate house," must 

 needs be more than competent to the erection of a 

 country mansion or chapel of ease. Thus, as you will 

 perceive, gentle reader, he is not unreasonable in his 

 expectations as a young practitioner. He knows that 

 commissions of hundred thousand pounds value are 

 not " plentiful as blackberries : " but that gentlemen 

 are constantly building mansions, and that chapels of 

 ease are in unprecedented request. He therefore pre- 

 pares a series of sample designs, including all the vari- 

 eties of the horizontal Greek and perpendicular Gothic. 

 Doric porticos, lenic vestibules, and Corinthian draw- 

 ing-rooms, are placed in striking contrast with Saxon 

 porches, florid altar-pieces, and crocketted spires: 

 plans, sections and elevations strew his side-table, and 

 the riches of his travel glow resplendantly from his 

 walls. Hush ! — a step ! — knock, knock. The two- 

 penny postman. A letter from — his mother. " My 

 dear son, — Your father and I have just seen our friendi, 

 Mr. Fullmoney. We told him of your progress as a 

 student, and of your promptitude for practice. He 

 has not yet seen your drawings in the exhibition ; but 

 he expresses a desire to see you, as he thinks of giv- 

 ing you a job. We have heard of his intention to 

 build ; and the supposition that he will do so is most 

 reasonable, since he has lately given fifty thousand 

 pounds for a fine estate, on which there is nothing but 

 a shabby old farm house ; and we know his intention 

 to reside on the property. Lose no time in calling 

 upon him. Shew him your drawings and your jour- 

 nal ; and talk to him about all those wonderful things 

 which may give him pleasure, but which are somewhat 

 above the comprehension of your poor dear father and 

 your ever affectionate mother, Sarah Sonproud." 



To be sure, 'tis not pleasant for a man who has tra- 

 versed Italy, ascended the Acropolis, and marched in 



