THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| Vol. XIV. No. 394. | SATURDAY, OCTOBER 17, 1829 | [PRICE 2d. |
LORD GROSVENOR'S GALLERY, PARK LANE.
At the commencement of our Twelfth Volume, we took occasion toallude to the public spirit of the Earl of Grosvenor, in ourdescription of his splendid mansion—Eaton Hall, near Chester.We likewise adverted to his lordship's munificent patronage of theFine Arts, and to the erection of the Gallery which forms thesubject of the annexed Engraving.
The Gallery forms the western wing of Lord Grosvenor's spacioustown mansion in Park Lane. It is from the designs of Mr. Cundy, andconsists of a colonnade of the Corinthian order, raised upon aplain joined stylobate. Over each column of the principal buildingis an isolated statue with an attic behind them, after the mannerof the ancient building called by Palladio the Forum Trajan atRome. On the acroteria of the building are vases on a balustrade,and between the columns is a series of blank windows withbalustraded balconies and triangular pediments, which Mr. Elmesthinks are so introduced as to disfigure the other grand parts ofthe design. Above these are sunk panels, with swags or garlands offruit and flowers. Mr. E. is likewise of opinion that, "but for thestopped-up windows, and the overpowering and needless balustradeover the heads of the statues, this building would rank among thevery first in the metropolis; even with these trifling drawbacks,that can easily be remedied before the whole is completed, it isgrand, architectural, and altogether worthy of its nobleproprietor."
The reader need not be told that the above Gallery has beenerected for the reception of the superb Grosvenor collection, thefirst effectual foundation of which was laid by the purchase of thelate Mr. Agar's pictures for 30,000 guineas, and it has since beengradually enlarged until it has become one of the finest collectionin England. It is not confined to works of the old masters, butembraces the best productions of some of the most celebrated modernpainters. The Earl of Grosvenor has, for some years, been in thehabit of admitting the public in the months of May and June, toinspect his pictures, under certain restrictions.
The Picture Gallery is but a portion of the improvementscontemplated by Lord Grosvenor. The mansion, in the distance of theEngraving is, we believe, to be rebuilt in a correspondent stylewith the Gallery, and the whole when completed, will be one of themost splendid establishments in the metropolis.
Indeed, the recent embellishment of several mansions in ParkLane is already indicative of the improved taste of theirdistinguished occupants. A few years since the Lane for the mostpart consisted of unsightly brick fronts; but stone and plasterencasements have given it the appearance of a newneighbourhood.
HENRY JENKINS.
(For the Mirror.)
A table showing the various changes in his religion, which bythe statute were required of Henry Jenkins, of Ellerton-upon-Swale,in the county of