ILLUSTRATIONS
OF
THE PUBLIC BUILDINGS OF LONDON:
Originally edited by the late Augustus Pugin, Jos. Gwilt, Britton, and others.
NEWLY EDITED AND ENLARGED BY W. H. LEEDS.
Manifold as are the publications which represent the various structures of the metropolis, this is the only work which describes them, not ad libitum, in views which, even when perfectly correct, show no more than the general aspect and locality of each building from a certain point, and consequently afford no information beyond mere external appearance—but exhibits them architecturally by means of plans, elevations, and occasionally both sections and interior perspective views. Thus a far more complete and correct knowledge may be obtained of each edifice, in its entire arrangement in all its parts and dimensions, than by pictorial views of them.
As studies for the Architect, the subjects contained in these volumes strongly recommend themselves,—more particularly so, as of the majority of them no plans and elevations are to be met with in any other publication, which materially enhances the interest of this collection, and it preserves to us authentic and tolerably complete records of many buildings which no longer exist. Among these are Carlton House, illustrated with several plates, including sections, and a plan of the private apartments; the late English Opera House; Mr. Nash’s Gallery, which has since been dismantled of its embellishments; The Royal Exchange, and the Board of Trade.
Among the new subjects introduced in this new edition will be found:—The New Plan and Elevation of the British Museum—New Houses of Parliament—Royal Exchange—Army and Navy Club—New Conservative Club—Reform Club—Museum of Economic Geology—Mansion of the Earl of Ellesmere (Bridgewater House); together with several Plans of Basements, showing kitchens and domestic offices, and conveniences not hitherto given.
List of Plates and short abstract of Subjects.
Adam, R., architect.—All Saints’ Church, Poplar.—All Souls’ Church, Langham Place.—Ancient Theatres.—Astley’s Amphitheatre.
Beazley, S., architect.—Berlin, theatre at.—Bordeaux, theatre at.—St. Bride’s Church, Fleet Street; spire, interior, and altar-piece.—Burton, Decimus, architect.
Chelsea, church of St. Luke at.—Churches, remarks on galleries in.—Cockerell, C. R., architect.—Colosseum.—Covent Garden, St. Paul’s Church.—Covent Garden Theatre.