334 on taste in architecture. -^^g- i2» 



that has a necefsarj influence in abating the public 



prosperity and happinefs of the people. 



These are, I am satisfied, the sentiments of a great 



majority of the members of our society ; but they 



are here offered only as the private sentiments of 



London, 1 -t 



e^ , 'J- TiMOLEON. 



Ju/y 12. 1792. J 



ON Taste in architecture. 



Sir, To the Editor of the Bee. 



In the prospectus of your valuable miscillaiiy (whicli 

 may be considered as the magna charta of your sub- 

 scribers,) you have judiciously observed, that " to 

 polilh the manners and humanize the heart, are the 

 first steps required in 7:ci attempt to inspire a taste 

 for literary excellence, and to excite exertions for 

 attaining the highest perfection in arts ;" and as 

 some accompliilied gentlemen of France and Italy, 

 who have lately visited Britain, have afsured me, 

 that our island has not yet reached the summit of 

 perfection in taste and elegance, I beg leave, with 

 diffidence, to communicate to your readers what I 

 conceive to be the elements of beauty and excellence 

 in architecture ; after which I Ihall proceed, in suc- 

 ceeding numbers of your paper, to apply the same 

 principles to poetry, painting, music, gardening, and 

 all the other subjects of taste. 



As I write these lines in a remote retirement from 

 the bustle of the world, omperplexed b}' books, and 

 •undisturbed, as well as unsullied by vulgar society, 

 I confide in the stores of my memory, warmed by 



