OF THE ANCIENT PALACE AND LATE HOUSES OF PARLIAMENT AT WESTMINSTER: EMBRACING ACCOUNTS AND ILLUSTRATIONS OF ST. STEPHEN'S CHAPEL, AND ITS BY EDWARD WEDLAKE BRAYLEY, AND JOHN BRITTON, FELLOWS OF THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, JOHN WEALE, ARCHITECTURAL LIBRARY, 59, HIGH HOLBORN. TO THE RIGHT HONOURABLE EARL DE GREY, PRESIDENT OF THE INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS; &c. &c. &c. TO THE VICE-PRESIDENTS, HONORARY SECRETARIES, AND TO ITS OTHER MEMBERS. ESTABLISHED for the purpose of promoting and duly fostering the art and the science of Architecture in Great Britain, the INSTITUTE OF BRITISH ARCHITECTS is at once entitled to this public compliment, and to the best wishes, as well as praises, of the Authors of the present volume. Its noble President, in particular, commands these in an eminent degree, for his Lordship has evinced more than common zeal in fostering its infancy, and has shewn a love of the Art and practice of Achitecture, which cannot fail to connect the name of De Grey with that of the Institute in all its future history, and eventful influence. From the days of Sir Christopher Wren, the English architect has never been fairly and fully appreciated, as regards his relative station amongst the artists of his country. In the "Royal Academy of Arts," which is the sole public acknowledged Institution of British Artists, there are only four Architects out of forty members; thus shewing the slight estimation in which their profession was held at the foundation of the Academy in 1768; and the number has not been increased. Since that time, several attempts have been made to establish societies of Architects, but without sufficient influence to collect and combine, under a regular code of laws, a number of experienced and practical men. You, Gentlemen, have at length accomplished this object; and by associating property, respectability, and influence, have obtained a "local habitation and a name;" and being peculiarly fortunate in the selection of your distinguished President, you possess the means of securing honour to yourselves, and conferring lasting benefit on the profession. Deriving instruction from other associations, you will resolutely avoid all trivial and personal jealousies-all acts and proceedings which may either emanate from private motives and prejudices, or be regarded as arising from undue partiality. By legislating and acting on those general principles which are calculated to promote an honourable, liberal, and generous practice in the profession-by discountenancing every thing of a contrary kind-by inculcating sound and philosophical doctrines through the medium of your Society, and in your respective offices-and by shewing to the Public that your own exertions are based on the union of taste, judgment, and probity, you will make the INSTITUTION an ornament and an honour to the country and to yourselves. Many years' intimacy with some of the most eminent Architects and Artists of England, and also with their patrons or employers, have afforded the writers of this Address opportunities of knowing the sentiments and conduct of both classes; and whilst they have often witnessed high talent and equal integrity in some professors, with liberality and good taste in patrons; they have also seen instances of incompetency and trickery in one, with meanness and ignorance in the other. Your Society is calculated to remove these evils. By promoting that laudable emulation which leads to excellence, and by repressing and discouraging all that is disreputable and unworthy the man of honour, of science, and of taste, you will secure the confidence of the nobility and gentry of the land. The Architecture and Architects of Britain may thus speedily become a theme of praise and admiration to foreigners; whilst the metropolis, the provincial towns, and the parks of our country may be adorned with edifices to vie in beauty of design, appropriateness of adaptation, and grandeur of effect, with any of the famed classic buildings of Greece and Italy. In consequence of the recent destruction of the Houses of Parliament by fire, opportunity has been afforded of calling into competition and exertion the abilities of our Architects. Within the short space of four months, no fewer than ninety-seven sets of Designs have been made for the proposed new Houses of the Legislative Bodies. These Designs comprise at least fourteen hundred drawings of large dimensions of elaborate detail-embracing complicated and extensive suites of apartments-of varied forms and applications, and of great difficulty and intricacy in combination; the mere |