154 Fine Arts. [Chap. X. 



ratively seldom. But convenience, neatness, and 

 simple elegance, as they are within the power of 

 taste in all nations and ages, have been displayed, 

 it is believed^ with peculiar frequency in the last 

 century. 



The otii&r peculiarity in the architecture of the 

 last age is, that Prhate DxveUings, during this pe- 

 riod, be'cime, in general, more spacious, conve- 

 nient, and agreeable to a correct taste, than ever 

 before. In all preceding ages, even those which 

 were most favourable to the arts, the number of 

 large and convenient private houses was small. 

 While public buildings Avere studiously extended 

 and ornanented^ only a few of the most wealthy 

 possessed large, comfortable, and beautiful habita- 

 tions. The number of this description has greatly 

 increased in modern times. The manifest aug- 

 mentation, in the course of the last century, of that 

 respectable and useful portion of society usually 

 called the Middle CUiss^ has, no doubt, led to this 

 improvement. It may probably be asserted that a 

 larger proportion of mankind were, at the close of 

 the century under review, furnished with conve- 

 nient, and even elegant, habitations, than ever be- 

 fore enjoyed the like advantage. 



The liberal use of Glass, in modern buildings, 

 greatlv contributes to their beautv and comfort, 

 and is a ])oint in which they peculiarly excel. 

 And in descending to the various minute details 

 of human dwellings, especially those which relate 

 to elegance and enjoyment, it is evident, that in 

 many respects the artists of the eighteenth cen- 

 tury exceeded all others. 



