On the 3d of March, 1792, died Robert Adam, Esq. He was born at
Kirkaldy, in Fifeshire, in 1728, educated at the university of
Edinburgh, devoted himself to architecture, went to Italy to study its
ancient remains, became proficient in his profession, and rose to its
highest honours: he was appointed architect to their majesties, and
chosen fellow of the Royal and Antiquarian Societies of London and
Edinburgh. In conjunction with his brother, Mr. James Adam, who died
20th November 1794, he built some of the finest of our modern mansions.
His genius and acquirements adorned London with several structures,
eminently superior in beauty to those which arose around him under the
direction of other hands; but the work for which the Adams are chiefly
celebrated, is the elegant range of buildings called the _Adelphi_. This
Greek word, denoting the relationship of brothers, was conferred in
compliment to the brothers, by whose intellect and science, in
opposition to long vitiated taste, and difficulties deemed
impracticable, these edifices were elevated. It is related that soon
after their completion, a classically educated gentleman being present
at a public dinner, and intending to toast the Messrs. Adams, who were
also present, begged to give “the _Adelphi_;” and that this occasioned a
worthy citizen to exclaim, “Bless me! it’s a very odd toast; what drink
the health of a parcel of houses! However, oh, oh! ah, ah! I see! yes,
yes! oh, the witty rogue! What, the street’s in a healthy spot? so it
is; very healthy! Come I’ll drink its health with all my heart!--Here’s
the Adelphi Terrace! I’ll stand up to it, (_rising_) and I hope it will
never go down!”
* * * * *
Garrick resided in one of the houses of the Adelphi until his death, and
was a friend of the Adams, who indeed were intimate with most of the
eminent men in art and literature. Before the Adelphi was finished, the
late Mr. Thomas Becket, the bookseller, desired the corner house of
Adam-street, then building as a spacious avenue by the Adams to their
terrace and the adjacent thoroughfares. Garrick anxious to secure the
commanding corner for his friend Becket, wrote a warm-hearted letter in
his behalf to Messrs. Adam. The letter has never been published, and
being in the possession of the editor of the _Every-Day Book_, he
inserts a copy of it, with a correct _fac-simile_ of the commencement
and conclusion. This hasty unstudied note, warm from the feelings, is
testimony of Garrick’s zeal for a friend’s success, and of his
qualifications as a solicitor to promote it: there is in it
---- a grace beyond the reach of art.
[Illustration:
Hampton
Monday
8.