THE MIRROR
OF
LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.
| VOL. XIII. NO. 360.] | SATURDAY, MARCH 14, 1829. | [PRICE 2d. |
Grand Entrance to Hyde Park.
GRAND ENTRANCE TO HYDE PARK.
The great Lord Burleigh says, "A realm gaineth more by one year's peacethan by ten years' war;" and the architectural triumphs which are risingin every quarter of the metropolis are strong confirmation of thismaxim.
One of these triumphs is represented in the annexed engraving, viz. thegrand entrance to Hyde Park, erected from the designs of Decimus Burton,Esq. It consists of a screen of handsome fluted Ionic columns, withthree carriage entrance archways, two foot entrances, a lodge, &c. Theextent of the whole frontage is about 107 feet. The central entrancehas a bold projection: the entablature is supported by four columns;and the volutes of the capitals of the outside column on each sideof the gateway are formed in an angular direction, so as to exhibit twocomplete faces to view. The two side gateways, in their elevations,present two insulated Ionic columns, flanked by antae. All theseentrances are finished by a blocking, the sides of the central one beingdecorated with a beautiful frieze, representing a naval and militarytriumphal procession, which our artist has copied and represented indistinct engravings. This frieze was designed by Mr. Henning, jun., sonof Mr. Henning, so well known for his admirable models of the Elginmarbles. It possesses great classical merit, and the model was exhibitedlast 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. Thedesign consists of a beautiful arrangement of the Greek honeysuckleornament; the parts being well defined, and the raffles of the leavesbrought out in a most extraordinary manner. The hanging of the gates isalso very ingenious.
Mr. Soane's proposed entrances to Piccadilly and St. James's and HydeParks, are generally considered superior to those that have beenadopted. The park entrances were to consist of two triumphal archesconnected with each other by a colonnade and arches stretching acrossPiccadilly. The same ingenious architect likewise designed a new palaceat the top of Constitution Hill, from which to the House of Lords theKing should pass Buckingham House, Carlton House, a splendid Waterlooand Trafalgar monument, a fine triumphal arch, the Privy Council Office,Board of Trade, and the new law courts.
LINES
On the origin of the application of the name of the "Fleur deSouvenance," (modern "Forget-me-not,") to the Myosotis Scorpiodis.
A gallant knight and a lady bright
Walk'd by a crystal lake;
The twin'd oaks made a grateful shade
Above the fangled brake,
While the trembling leaves of aspen trees
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