A mansion, designed by John Thorpe, the architect, for his own use, was elevated on a plan Nvhich represented his own initials in monogram; and that this was designedly so arranged, we learn from the epigraph appended to his design, which is as lot tows : " Thes 2 Letters I and T " Joyned together as von see " Is meant for a dwelling-house for mee" " John Thorpe." The principal deviations in matters of construction from the buildings of the preceding era, consist in the multiplica tion of bay-windows ; the addition of large projecting por ticoes richly ornamented ; the importance given to the halls and staircases, which became very spacious and magnificent, often occupying a large proportion of the mansion ; the in creased length and spaciousness of the galleries, which fre quently exceeded 100 feet in length ; the increase of light ing area, the windows being greatly enlarged in size, having sometimes three or fbur tiers of openings; the magnificence of the fireplaces, which frequently reached to the ceiling, and were enriched with carving and sculpture, in the shape of heraldic devices, &e. ; the beautiful and richly moulded plaster ceilings, with deep cornices, also of plaster : the walls were either panelled or whited, and ornamented with labels containing poetry, maxims, &c. Another peculiarity is observed in the large and imposing flights of steps, and in the noble terraces in front of the mansions : these were raised one above the other, approached front one to the other by broad flights of steps, and defended on the edge with richly-perlbrated parapets or balconies.
The general characteristic of the style is manifested in the admixture of Italian details with Gothic features and designs. Quasi-classic columns and pilasters are frequently intro duced, but they are often ill-proportioned and very inaccu rately and rudely profiled; they are frequently banded at intervals in their height with circular or square blocks, which when square, are mostly ornamented with diamond or jewel shaped projections, a species of ornament \vhich is of frequent general application : at other times the shafts were decorated with grotesque ornaments of various kinds, Arcades, with circular arches, are also common, the space from pier to pier being often of an extravagant width, their height sometimes running up into the entablature, which member, again, is rarely or never found continuous or un broken, and it is frequently frittered away with scroll and other ornaments. The bay-windows, parapets, and gables are usually terminated by perforated of scroll or geometrical pattern ; this perforated work and scroll orna ment in general, as also the lozenge and other ornaments, standing in relief upon the surface to be enriched, are very profusely employed, and may be considered decidedly charac teristic of the style. The shell-roofed niche and caryatid columns are also frequent. The plaster ceilings were usually of very elaborate design, and very richly moulded ; they form a very praiseworthy feature in buildings of this date. I leoldie devices and grotesques were not 'infrequently employed in general ornamentation.
It would be superfluous to enter into a more detailed description, fbr the style altogether is so abnormal and intri cate, that a full description would necessitate illustrations of almost every example. Very contrary opinions have been held respecting the merit of this style ; for our own part, while we must condemn it as being unscientific in construc tion, and impure, if not barbarous, in taste, at the same time we are inclined to allow it a great deal of credit fin• its pictu resque appearance. It certainly will not stand the test of severe criticism.
Amongst the more noted architects of this time we may mention the fullowina :—IZobert Adams, Surveyor of Works to Elizabeth; John Shute, author of a book upon architecture; Bernard Adams; Lawrence Bradshaw; and John Thorpe, who has left us a book of his designs, which are very numerous : he was engaged upon a great many works, of which the principal are—Holland Ilouse, _Middlesex ; Longford Castle, Wilts; Wollaton Hall, Notts; and Audley End, Essex. Gerard Christmas was engaged upon Northumberland I louse, as was also Moses Glover and Bernard Jansen ; of whom the second was further employed in the completion ofSion House, and the latter in the erection of Audley inn. Robert and Huntingdon Smithson, father and son, were engaged upon Wollaton llouse, Notts, and Bolsover, Derbyshire. Thomas was architect of the Public Schools, and of the quad rangles of Newton and Wadham Colleges, Oxford.
Several mansions of this style were erected or completed during the reign of James I. and even the early works of Inigo Jones were in this style, as, for instance, the quad rangle of St. John's College, Oxford. The pure Italian, however, was rapidly gaining the ascendancy, and was des tined to be permanently introduced by this same man in the early part of the 17th century.
The following is a list of some of the principal mansions belonging to this period of architecture. As a description, apart from illustrations, would be of little use, we beg to refer the reader to a beautifully-illustrated work upon the subject by Mr. Nash, entitled 'Mansions of England in the Olden Time.' There is one class of houses which reached its zenith dur ing the reign of Elizabeth, and which deserve some mention in this place : we allude to the half-timbered houses. They were composed of timber frame-work, and present the appear ance of brick-nogging, the spaces within the frame being plastered : the timbers are arranged sometimes vertically, with horizontal beams at intervals, and this arrangement has a very pleasing appearance ; at other times the secondary timbers were ranged diagonally, or disposed so as to Corm geometrical figures, such as squares, triangles, diamonds, &c., and, not unfrequently, curved timbers were introduced. Such houses are peculiar in having the upper stories of larger dimensions and projecting over the lower ones, and are remarkable for their barge-boards overhanging the gables. These are frequently of very beautiful design, and delicately carved ; they have a singularly pleasing appearance. Wooden corbels, in the shape of grotesque figures, are also common.
The plaster-work was frequently ornamented with devices of various kinds, either in relief or recession.
The counties of Cheshire and Shropshire were peculiarly noted for Country mansions of this class; and inany examples are to be found in the towns of Chester, Shrewsbury, Lei cester, Warwick, and Ipswich. They invariably present a very picturesque appearance. The following is a list of some of the principal examples; and, for further int'orma tion respecting them, we refer the reader to a work upon the subject by N r. Ilabershon : The Oaks, West Bromwich : ... date ... Henn- VIII. Elndey near Droitwich Charles I.
()Id House, Market Phu•o, Preston „ Do.
Bramall near Stcckport Elizabeth. llop-pole Inn, Bromsgrove.
Pitchford II:di, near Shrewsbury.
Salwarp Court, near Droit•ieh.
SamIcsbury 1falI, near Blackburn „ Edward VI.
near Bolton Charles I.
Inee Hall, near Wigan.
Park Hall, near Oswestry.
Aforeton Ball, near ( ongleton.
N ere I I all, near Droitwieh.
For further particulars on the subject of this article, sec llousE.