The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 275, September 29, 1827

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Various. The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 10, No. 275, September 29, 1827

KEW PALACE

THE NUPTIAL CHARM

FINE ARTS

RAPHAEL SANZIO D'URBINO

RETROSPECTIVE GLEANINGS

THE NOVELIST

THE MUTINY

THE SELECTOR, AND LITERARY NOTICES OF NEW WORKS

A STORM IN THE INDIAN SEAS

DAMP BEDS

BURMAN THIEVES

MANNERS & CUSTOMS OF ALL NATIONS

SPIRIT OF THE PUBLIC JOURNALS

WILLY M'GEE'S MONKEY

SCOTCH SONG

THE SKETCH-BOOK

MATCHES IN TEENS

USEFUL DOMESTIC HINTS

THE GATHERER

BIRDS POISONING THEIR YOUNG

A CONNOISSEUR

BLACK MAN'S DREAM

MAGICAL CLOCK

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Innumerable are the instances of princes having sought to perpetuate their memories by the building of palaces, from the Domus Aurea, or golden house of Nero, to the comparatively puny structures of our own times. As specimens of modern magnificence and substantial comfort, the latter class of edifices may be admirable; but we are bound to acknowledge, that in boldness and splendour of design, they cannot assimilate to the labours of antiquity, much of whose stupendous character is to this day preserved in many series of interesting ruins:—

As a record of this degeneracy, near the western corner of Kew Green stands the new palace, commenced for George III., under the direction of the late James Wyatt, Esq. The north front, the only part open to public inspection, possesses an air of solemn, sullen grandeur; but it very ill accords with the taste and science generally displayed by its nominal architect.

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A modern tourist, in "A Morning's Walk from London to Kew," characterizes the new palace as "the Bastile palace, from its resemblance to that building, so obnoxious to freedom and freemen. On a former occasion," says he, "I have viewed its interior, and I am at a loss to conceive the motive for preferring an external form, which rendered it impracticable to construct within it more than a series of large closets, boudoirs, and rooms like oratories." The latter part of this censure is judiciously correct; but the epithet "bastile" is perhaps too harsh for some ears.

The old palace at Kew formerly belonged to the Capel family, and by marriage became the property of Samuel Molyneux, Esq., secretary to George II. when prince of Wales. The late Frederic, prince of Wales, took a long lease of the house, which he made his frequent residence; and here, too, occasionally resided his favourite poet, James Thomson, author of "The Seasons." It is now held by his majesty on the same tenure. The house contains some good pictures, among which is a set of Canaletti's works; the celebrated picture of the Florence gallery, by Zoffany, (who resided in the neighbourhood,) was removed several years since. The pleasure-grounds, which contain 120 acres, were laid out by Sir William Chambers, one of the greatest masters of ornamental English gardening. Altogether they form a most delightful suburban retreat, and we hope to take an early opportunity of noticing them more in detail.

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