Polypth. Is that Building the Temple of Friendship? I cannot say that I extremely admire it: But I hope I shall meet with more Entertainment within, than I am able to do without——Well: This is elegant I must confess.
Calloph. Ay, look round, and tell me if you are not struck by several very beautiful Objects. Those Busts I assure you are all pretty well done, and some of them extremely well.
Polypth. So they are indeed: But I am chiefly intent upon the Painting, which I am much taken with: It is by the same Hand, I dare say, with that in the Temple of Venus. That Emblem of Friendship above the Door, those of Justice and Liberty, and those other Ornaments upon the Walls, are well touched. What is that Painting upon the Cieling? I do not rightly understand it.
Calloph. Why, Sir, it is a Piece of Satyr: I am sure you will like it if you will give yourself the Trouble to examine it: It is in your Taste I know exactly.——There you see sits Britannia; upon one Side are held the Glory of her Annals, the Reigns of Queen Elizabeth and Edward III. and on the other is offered the Reign of——, which she frowns upon, and puts by with her Hand.
Polypth. Excellent, upon my Word! Faith, this is good! Never accept it, honest Lady, till Corruption is at an End, and public Spirit revives.
Calloph. With so little Malevolence as I know you are possessed of, I do not think I ever met with any body in my Life so eager to catch at any thing to blame; or to whom an Opportunity of that kind afforded a more seeming real Pleasure than it does to you.——But I know it proceeds from an honest Nature.——Well: Suppose we continue our Walk.——I look upon that Statue as one of the finest in the World: I would give all the Money in my Pocket for a Sight of the Original.
Polypth. The Posture always to me appears a little too much strained. I can scarce throw myself into such an Attitude. Yet it is fine I must confess.
Calloph. You have the best View of it, Sir, from hence. Most of the Engravings I have met with give us the back View, but I think the Statue appears infinitely to the best Advantage when taken in Front. The Air of the Head is delightful, and cannot be hid without depriving the Figure of half its Life.——I am leading you now to that genteel Piece of Building which goes by the Name of the Palladian Bridge.
Polypth. I have seen, I think, something like it at my Lord Pembroke's.
Calloph. I believe, Sir, the Model was taken from thence. Tho' if I remember right, the Roof is there supported by Pillars on both Sides.