Critical observations on the buildings and improvements of London / [Anon].

  • Stuart, James, 1713-1788.
Date:
1771
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Critical observations on the buildings and improvements of London / [Anon]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    the fame caufe every nuifance had its advocate. It was faid to be for the eafe of the horfes, that the midway fhould be paved with huge fhapelefs rocks, and the foot¬ path with {harp pebbles for the benefit of the feet. The pofts were defended to the laft; and the pulling down of the figns, which choaked up and difgraced the ftreets, re¬ gretted as a. barbarous invafion on the monuments of national tafte : the cat and fiddle, goofe and gridiron, and the like, being regarded as the greateft'efforts of inventive genius; and Cheapfide often compared to the Medicean gallery, for its choice collection of paintings; blue boars,, green dragons, and kings heads,. But though we claim a right, from prefcription, to laugh at the bad tafte of our neighbours in the city I am afraid * The bad tafte of the city is a trite fubjed, and any ftridures upon their former public management in thofe matters are hardly applicable at prefent. At leaft, one would hope the icafon is now over when the citizens, before they approver