the elegant residence of George Bellas Greenough, Esq., built from the
designs of Mr. Decimus Burton. This is a happy specimen of the villa
style of architecture. The garden front, represented in the print, is
divided into three portions. The centre is a tetrastyle portico of the
Ionic order, raised on a terrace. Between the columns are three handsome
windows. The two wings have recesses, "the soffites of which are
supported by three-quarter columns of the Doric order. Between these
columns are niches, each of which contains a statue. The absence of
other windows and doors from the front," (observes Mr. Elmes,) "gives a
remarkable and pleasing _casino_ or pleasure-house character to the
house."
The portico is purely Grecian, and the proportion of the pediment very
beautiful. The entrance front also consists of a centre and two wings;
but the former has no pediment. The door is beneath a spacious
semicircular portico of the true Doric order, which alternates with the
Ionic in the other parts of the building with an effect truly
harmonious.
Of the internal arrangements of Grove House we will vouch; but our
artist has endeavoured to convey some idea of the natural beauties with
which this little temple of art is environed; and the engraver has added
to the distinctness of the floral embellishments in the foreground.
Altogether, the effect breathes the freshness and quiet of a rural
retreat, although the wealth and fashion of a metropolis herd in the
same parish, and their gay equipages are probably whirling along the
adjacent road.
The exterior of the "COLOSSEUM" (of the interior of which building our
last Number contained a description) was intended for the embellishment
of the present Number. Our engraver promised--but, as Tillotson quotes
in one of his sermons, "promises and pie-crusts," &c. The engraving is,
however, intended for our next MIRROR, with some additional particulars
of the interior, &c.
* * * * *