In the city of London, excepting the great apartment of Guildhall, which is 155 feet long, 42 broad, and 55 high, and the facade of the building by Mr Dance, all that is connected with the courts is disgracefully mean and inconvenient. The prison of Newgate is, in exter nal appearance, a specimen of architecture well adapted to its purposes; but there arc several ornaments sunk into recesses in the rough rustic facade, which might be spared.
In many counties of England, much attention has been paid to the construction of courts of justice, jails, and bridewells. In some of them, a very considerable de gree of architectural skill has been displayed. The most perfect are those, where the situation and other circum stances admit of their being constructed adjacent to, and so as to communicate with each other, yet are partially accessible, and have a sufficiency of light and air. In many parts of England these buildings, although circum stances did not admit of their being immediately connect ed, are yet each of them excellent. It has been chiefly owing to the unwearied exertions of the benevolent John Howard, that so speedy and effectual a renovation of the jails and bridewells has taken place. So far as regards the buildings, his leading principles were, providing ac commodation for different classes of prisoners, having separate sleeping cells, also opportunity for solitary con finement, with sufficient ventilation, plentiful supplies of water, and the means of complete inspection. These general principles appear applicable to all countries, and if judiciously employed, greatly ameliorate the situation of the prisoner, accomplishing at the same time, all that is requisite for the purposes of security, punishment, and reformation.
The mansion-house of London, forming the residence, and containing the court of the first magistrate of a city, which for population, wealth, enterprise, accommoda tion, and perfect arrangement, has seldom if ever been equalled, falls with propriety under this head. Its por tico is bold and striking, and, though some of its features are sufficiently clumsy, yet, as a whole, it is grand and impressive, and reflects credit upon its architect, the father and predecessor in office of the present ingenious city architect Mr Dance. It has been reproached with
heaviness ; but we should be sorry to commit its renova tion into the hands of such architects as designed the Bank. It was begun in 1739, and completed in 1753.
As the hall and office of the managers of the affairs of an extensive, populous, and rich empire, the India house falls also under the description of an edifice for the pur poses of legislation. Its north front possesses more chas tity of design, than most public buildings of modern con struction. There is no break in it excepting that made by a very fine portico, consisting of six Ionic columns, occupying the whole height of the structure, and orna mented with excellent sculpture by the hand of Bacon.
Had the upper row of windows been of greater size, they would have added to the dignity of the building, and lessened the space of dead wall which is over them ; as it is, having only a range of light level cornices, and the face of the wall being quite plain, the effect is good.
Public Exercises and .Amusements.
Amongst the Greeks and Romans, their exercises and amusements had their origin chiefly in the preparation of their youth for the modes of combat which were then practised, and in the general interest taken by the rest of the people in the performances of their children and rela tions. These early grew into habits, and of course be came a gratification. Legislators perceived their impor tance, and determined their order by fixed regulations. \Ve are informed, that the first gymnasium was found amongst the severe Spartans. They were afterwards es tablished in every district of Greece. The Olympic games became the general rendezvous and common bond of union amongst all the states of Greece. At Rome, the games of the circus were said to have been institut ed by Evander, and re-established by Romulus in an island of the Tiber. Both Greece and Rome had the additions of theatres. Amongst the Romans, these edi fices were expanded to a prodigious capacity, and, in the hands of artful and worthless men, became the means of debauching the degenerate offspring of that once simple and irresistible people.