The architect of Cumberland Terrace is Mr. Nash, who appears to have been so lavish of ornament, as to give the whole range the appearance of a triumphal temple. It consists of a centre and wings, connected by two handsome arches, which have a very pleasing and novel effect. The entrance, or ground story throughout, is rusticated, and in the principal parts or masses of the elevation, serves as a base or pediment for handsome Doric columns, above which is a balustrade, on which are placed allegorical figures of the Seasons, the Quarters of the Globe, the Arts and Sciences, &c. Each of these masses has a most imposing appearance, and bears four figures; the figures in the whole range amount to twenty-seven. Above the balustrade rises the attic story. The subordinate fronts of the residences are embellished with Doric pilasters.
Each arch consists of four handsome Doric columns, with an entablature, and blocking course.
The central portion of the terrace is in correspondent style with the wings; and consists of a splendid colonnade of twelve columns and an entablature. Above the attic story rises a pediment surmounted with figures of Painting, Architecture, and Sculpture. This pediment is filled with a basso-relievo, executed by J.H. Bubb, and representing Britannia crowned by Fame, and seated on a throne, the basis of which represents Valour and Wisdom. On one side, Literature, Genius, Manufacture, Agriculture, and Prudence, are bringing youth of different nations for instruction; and on the other side, the guardian-spirit of the Navy, surmounted by Victory, Navigation, Commerce, and Freedom, is extending her blessings to the Africans. The group is terminated on each side by Plenty. This is supposed to be the largest ornamental pediment in the kingdom, with the exception of that of the portico of St. Paul's, which only exceeds it by a few feet.
From the sweep of this terrace may be enjoyed a highly picturesque view of the park, with the crown of Primrose Hill in the distance.
At this close of the Series of Views, and as we are approaching the conclusion of our volume, it may not be amiss to recapitulate the several engravings, with their pages in the preceding and present volumes of the MIRROR, and the order in which they stand in the Regent's Park, which order circumstances have prevented our uniformly following in their publication: thus—
| Buildings. | Architects. | Mirror, Vol. | Page. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ulster Terrace | xi | 401 | |
| York Terrace | Nash | xiii | 129 |
| Sussex Place | Nash | xiii | 273 |
| Cornwall Terrace | D. Burton | xiii | 305 |
| Clarence Terrace | D. Burton | xii | 17 |
| Hanover Terrace | Nash | x | 313 |
| Hanover Lodge | xiii | 49 | |
| Grove House | D. Burton | xiii | 49 |
| Marquess of Hertford's Villa | D. Burton | xiii | 81 |
| Macclesfield Bridge | Morgan | xiii | 351 |
| East (now Gloucester) Gate | xi | 225 | |
| St. Katherine's | Poynter | xi | 273 |
| Master's Residence | Poynter | xi | 289 |
| Cumberland Terrace | Nash | xiii | 401 |
| Chester Terrace | Nash | xiii | 193 |
| Exterior of the Colosseum | D. Burton | xiii | 65 |
| Interior of the Colosseum | D. Burton | xiii | 97 |
In this Series we have endeavoured to represent all the architectural beauties of the Park, and liable as are all of them to critical objection, they are extremely interesting for pictorial displays of the taste of this castle-building age.