Brit ton's Illustrations of Toddington. S63 



taste, surpassing the acquirements of many professional men. Each of these 

 houses may be truly said to reflect honour on its architect, as well as on the 

 character of the English nobleman. It is gratifying to witness the aristocracy 

 of our country thus laudably applying their wealth and time to encourage the 

 artist and artizan, and to employ the labourer. If the professional architects 

 be alarmed at the apprehension of losing a certain ' commission,' and the 

 reputation which such noblemen might confer by their patronage, they may 

 console themselves with the conviction that there will not be many instances 

 of successful amateurship in their exalted profession ; for the science of ar- 

 chitecture requires too much mental labour to be successfully practised by 

 many persons of fortune. Dihgence, learning, taste, and experience, must co- 

 operate to produce those first-rate buildings which shall deserve the praise of 

 the discriminating critic." (p, iv.) 



After a variety of remarks on connoiseurship and criticism, Mr. Britton 

 announces his intention of giving a "full and impartial review of the archi- 

 tectural character of the new house at Toddington. Unlike the doating parent, 

 who can perceive nothing but good in a favourite child, I know that Your 

 Lordship can duly and justly appreciate both the merits and the defects of 

 your own architectural progeny ; and that you would much rather hear the 

 language of honest discriminating censure, if merited, than that of praise, if 

 fulsomely or indiscreetly pronounced." (p. vi.) 



A long and very interesting preface takes a review of the literature of 

 architecture, more especially during the present century, from which we make 

 the following quotation. 



" Few things are more calculated to improve or form the popular taste 

 than published essays in works like the ' Quarterly Review ;' in pamphlets, 

 such as that by the late Thomas Hope, Esq^, on Wyatt's absurd designs for 

 Downing College ; in another by George Vivian, Esq., on ' the Prospects of 

 Art in the future Parliament House.' These comments and criticisms are of 

 infinite service, as calculated to inform the ignorant, reprove the arrogant, 

 induce inquiry, point out the errors of professional men and flippant amateurs, 

 and confirm and give a permanent stamp to the productions of genius and 

 ability. The honesty of purpose and principle, the unflinching boldness and 

 sound criticisms, of the latter pamphlet, are truly honourable to the English 

 country gentleman. Such persons should write often ; they should not hoard 

 up their mental wealth, but disperse it freely and frequently. Of three royal 

 architectural gewgaws, the Queen's Lodge at Windsor, the Cottage in the 

 forest, and Kew Palace, Mr. Vivian says ' they were equally notorious for 

 flimsy construction and costliness. These expetisive follies have disappeared, 

 and although at the loss of hundreds of thousands (for the palace at Kew 

 alone cost half a million), it is fortunate for the credit of the country that 

 they are no longer in existence. Yet these ahominable productions were from 

 the leading men of the day. 



" France has preceded and surpassed England in many novelties ; at the 

 present time it has set us an example which our ambition, or our shame, will 

 at no distant time induce us to imitate. The Monarch has commanded the 

 Minister of the Interior to appoint an ' Historical Committee on the Arts 

 and Monuments ;' one object of which is to obtain good accounts, with 

 drawings, of all the public edifices of the country; and appropriate funds are 

 granted to preserve or renovate the best of them. This is true patriotism, 

 worthy an enlightened country, on which it reflects honour ; whilst it gives a 

 tacit but severe reproach to other nations whose ancient and interesting 

 buildings are wantonly destroyed, or heedlessly neglected. Some years back 

 I urged this subject on the attention of our own ministry; but the labours 

 and conflicts of party engrossed too much of their time and thoughts to allow 

 even the best-disposed amongst them to attend to such matters, or even to 

 others, which to the enlightened Englishman seem to be essential to the na- 

 tional welfare and national honour." 



Chapter i. is an essay on the application of ancient monastic architecture 



