215 



An architect who is thus notorious for his 

 violation of rules, his neglect of purity and 

 elegance, and his licentious mixture of styles 

 and ornaments, certainly ought not to be 

 held up as a model for imitation: but, on 

 the other hand, an artist who, in any art, 

 produces new and striking effects, well de- 

 serves to have their causes investigated; for 

 he who has produced such effects (it hardly 

 matters by what means) has attained a great 

 end. The study, therefore, not the imita- 

 tion of Vanbrugh's architecture, might be 

 extremely serviceable to an artist of genius 

 and discernment. It is true that Sir Joshua 

 Reynolds, when speaking in praise of Van- 

 brugh, has disclaimed any authority on the 

 subject of architecture as a science; but his 

 authority as a painter for the general pic- 

 turesque effect of buildings, is indisputable ; 

 and what such a man admired, ought not 

 rashly to be despised or neglected. He ex- 

 plained upon the principles of his own art, 

 what were those of the architect of Blen- 

 heim; and they deserve to be still farther 

 discussed. I should think it would be an 



