223 



look at our houses, and you would sup- 

 pose that it had seldom occurred to the 

 builders, or that it was considered by them 

 as a matter of little consequence. On this 

 subject we have received an important les- 

 son from one, whom Swift has represented 

 as an architect, not only without lecture 

 but without thought.* 



Vanbrugh's aim in decorating the sum- 

 mit of Blenheim, was to produce richness 

 and variety, and still to preserve the idea 

 of massiveness ; and where an artist of ge- 

 nius has any point strongly in view, and pur- 

 sues it with enthusiasm, he will generally 

 go beyond the mark: what he does produce, 

 however, will not have that worst of faults, 

 insipidity. The enthusiasm of Michael An- 

 gelo, which so often produced the grand- 

 est and most striking attitudes, at other 

 times led him to twist the human figure in- 

 to such singular and capricious forms, as 

 border on caricatura : and in the same 

 manner Vanbrugh,by pursuinghis favourite 



* Van's genius, without thought or lecture, 

 Is hugely turn'd to architecture. 



