The great Lord Burleigh says, "A realm gaineth more by one year's peace
than by ten years' war;" and the architectural triumphs which are rising
in every quarter of the metropolis are strong confirmation of this
maxim.
One of these triumphs is represented in the annexed engraving, viz. the
grand entrance to Hyde Park, erected from the designs of Decimus Burton,
Esq. It consists of a screen of handsome fluted Ionic columns, with
three carriage entrance archways, two foot entrances, a lodge, &c. The
extent of the whole frontage is about 107 feet. The central entrance
has a bold projection: the entablature is supported by four columns;
and the volutes of the capitals of the outside column on each side
of the gateway are formed in an angular direction, so as to exhibit two
complete faces to view. The two side gateways, in their elevations,
present two insulated Ionic columns, flanked by antae. All these
entrances are finished by a blocking, the sides of the central one being
decorated with a beautiful frieze, representing a naval and military
triumphal procession, which our artist has copied and represented in
distinct engravings. This frieze was designed by Mr. Henning, jun., son
of Mr. Henning, so well known for his admirable models of the Elgin
marbles. It possesses great classical merit, and the model was exhibited
last season in the sculpture-room of the Suffolk-street Gallery.
The _gates_ were manufactured by Messrs. Bramah. They are of iron,
bronzed, and fixed or hung to the piers by rings of gun-metal. The
design consists of a beautiful arrangement of the Greek honeysuckle
ornament; the parts being well defined, and the raffles of the leaves
brought out in a most extraordinary manner. The hanging of the gates is
also very ingenious.
Mr. Soane's proposed entrances to Piccadilly and St. James's and Hyde
Parks, are generally considered superior to those that have been
adopted. The park entrances were to consist of two triumphal arches
connected with each other by a colonnade and arches stretching across
Piccadilly. The same ingenious architect likewise designed a new palace
at the top of Constitution Hill, from which to the House of Lords the
King should pass Buckingham House, Carlton House, a splendid Waterloo
and Trafalgar monument, a fine triumphal arch, the Privy Council Office,
Board of Trade, and the new law courts.
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