such a ridiculous affectation of the an tique. THERE was some time ago, I understand, a prodigious rage for the Egyptian. Chintz and moreen furniture, carpets, mats, rugs; in short, every thing was doomed to this monstrous fashion. Men with birds' heads, and birds with men's heads, crocodiles, phinxes, and crows, were all dancing about the furnitture in the same ludicrous style that Junius metaphorically describes the masks and hatchets,' of Sir William Draper. But the rage stopped not here: chairs, tables, sofas, and sideboards were all touched by the talisman of this Egyptian magician! and obelisks and pyramids, besprinkled with hieroglyphics from top to bottom, ornamented the halls, dining rooms, and drawing rooms of our Grand Seigneurs! This mania, out of compliment I presume to the names of Nelson and Abercrombie, is now, however, confined within certain limits; and the wiser part begin to re flect, that, the imitation of the arts in their rudest state, neither contributes to just decoration, nor evinces a correct taste in those who adopt it. A LITTLE time back, (I speak from the report of a very intelligent waiter in the hotel) the good shopkeepers had inscribed over their doors certain oddshaped letters, which rendered it difficult to understand the trade carried on within. These letters were in imitation of those used in Roman inscriptions, so that you would think every upholsterer and haberdasher an adept in Montfaucon's Antiquité expliquéc.' Perhaps it might chagrin these good folks to know how many rude, unlettered, country visitors, like myself, have carried their £. 10 or £.20 to a different market. This rage has now almost wholly abated: it probably commenced in a frolic, and was gravely continued as a very sagacious custom. People now begin to have legible inscriptions, and to get more money in consequence. A GREAT fashion at present prevails of making the exterior of a shop appear like a marble portico: and if you were to be set down from Lancashire, in the middle of Catherine Street, in the Strand, you would imagine yourself to be among the principal palaces at Rome. VERD-ANTIQUE, and Sienna marble are brought, it would seem, at an expense incalculable, from Greece and Italy, to adorn the exterior of a linendraper's or upholsterer's shop. The artist does certainly his part well; but the owner of the house might have probably got more credit by adhering to one simple colour of white or grey. The only thing in addition which 1 have now time to mention is, the absurdity of decorating carpet-rugs and mats with monsters of the bird and beast kind. My daughter Eliza was, the other day, considerably alarmed by the appearance of a gigantic tiger, stretched out upon the watch for prey: she ran tó me, tremulously exclaiming, 'A wild beast, a lion!' On walking up firmly towards the monster, we found him as harmless as the lion described by Addison, in the opera of his day! Eagles and vultures are also worked on these rugs: objects, as ridiculous and inappropriate as can well be imagined! BUT the 6 o'clock bell is ringing, and the postman waits at the door. Adieu. Ever yours affectionately, S. D. THUS, Mr. Director, I have troubled you with my wife's Walk in London.' If it can afford the least amusement, or be productive of the least correction of a perverted taste, I shall feel exceedingly gratified. In the mean time I cannot avoid remarking, that the character of the present day, in regard to the foregoing details, seems to be a thoughtless extravagance, unproductive of taste or utility. To get money rapidly, and to spend it tastefully or wisely, are very different things. In general, common sense and appropriate ornament go hand in hand. I SUPPOSE we shall soon be at the mercy of a fresh set of innovators, who, I understand, are coming home from Kamtschatka, and the Friendly Islands, with numerous drawings of all the fine and strange things they have seen in those parts of the world; so that we may shortly expect to behold an indian god, or a female warrior, grinning upon the posts of the principal shops in Bond Street. Whether these innovators are described in the new edition of The Ship of Fools,' I have not had an opportunity of examining. But I tire you with this long epistle; it is time to assure you, Sir, How truly I am yours, RUSTICUS. |