The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics . wy style, Plate 26.—RUSSELL INSTITUTION, In a new quarter of the city, inwhich speculation reigns with de-spotic sway, and which is destituteof other public buildings that canlay claim to the character of archi-tecture, it is with pleasure we findthis edifice, which is certainly de-serving of public notice. If it doesnot combine all the perfections thatcould be wished, it is, in this re-spect, only in the same predicamentas almost all other structures ; andtheattempt, at least, is praiseworthy. The building, no
The Repository of arts, literature, commerce, manufactures, fashions and politics . wy style, Plate 26.—RUSSELL INSTITUTION, In a new quarter of the city, inwhich speculation reigns with de-spotic sway, and which is destituteof other public buildings that canlay claim to the character of archi-tecture, it is with pleasure we findthis edifice, which is certainly de-serving of public notice. If it doesnot combine all the perfections thatcould be wished, it is, in this re-spect, only in the same predicamentas almost all other structures ; andtheattempt, at least, is praiseworthy. The building, now appropriated to the purposes of the Russell J list Utution, one of those establishmentsfor the promotion of literature andscience, which have recently sprungup in this metropolis*, was erectedabout twelve years ago, for an assem-bly-room, under the auspices of , who built so much in theneighbourhood ; but this specula-tion having failed to answer the ex?pectationsof the proprietors, it was * As the Royal, London, and Surry In-stitutions, and the Westminster RUSSELL INSTITUTION. SB9 sold, in 1S08, (o the society bywhom it is at present occupied. Its model lias not been judici-ously chosen, though taken fromthat pure source of the arts, Grecianarchitecture, whose beauty consistsnot merely in the exact proportionof parts, but principally in thatparticular character which the na-ture of each individual buildingdemanded. Thus !he solemnity andgrandeur required in a temple dedi-cated to Minerva, cannot well beappropriated to a place erected forthe purpose of public amusement,though now more properly appliedto that of public instruction. In other respects this buildingdisplays great symmetrical beauty,and likewise a correct observance ofthe principles of architecture in theprofiles of the entablature as well asthe capitals of the columns. Theprincipal feature of the front is awell - proportioned portico, com-posed of four pilasters of what iso-encrally denominat
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