Title:  The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction Volume 13, No. 362, Saturday, March 21, 1829

Author:  Various

Release Date:  June 3, 2004 [EBook #12498]

Language:  English

Character set encoding:  ASCII

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THE MIRROR OF LITERATURE, AMUSEMENT, AND INSTRUCTION.

Vol.  XIII, no. 362.] Saturday, March 21, 1829. [Price 2d.

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[Illustration:  Chester terrace, regent’s Park.]

CHESTER TERRACE,

Regent’s Park.

On the annexed page is a spirited representation of this splendid range of palatial residences, which present as noble an appearance as any similar structure in the Park.

To familiarize the topography of Chester Terrace, we should say it stands between the Colosseum and St. Katharine’s Church, these being the most conspicuous buildings in the circle; and the majestic cupola of the former building is shown in the distance of our engraving.

This terrace is named from the royal earldom of Chester.  It is from the designs of Mr. Nash, the architect of York Terrace engraved in our No. 358.  Like the majority of that gentleman’s works, Chester Terrace evinces great genius, with many of its irregularities.  It is of the Corinthian order of architecture, characterized by its richness; but the present specimen is weak in its details, and the form and proportions of its balustrade are starved and lanky.  The capitals of the columns want the gracefulness of the Corinthian, and the volutes are but puny illustrations of that beautiful order.

Leaving these defects to be further scrutinized by the more critical spectator, we cannot fail to be impressed with this grand and commanding terrace; the composition exhibits great genius and powerful conception; and the effect of the whole would be extremely beautiful, were it not for the defective details.

At each end of the terrace is a Corinthian arch, the idea of which is altogether novel.  These arches connect with pavilion temple-like mansions, and their effect is very rich and picturesque.  They remind one of some of the trophied glories of old Rome—­the arches beneath which her laurelled heroes passed in triumphal state.  Chester Terrace may, therefore, be said to associate otium cum dignitate, since these arches give a splendid finish to the range of handsome residences.  The mementos of Roman triumph still remain; but a century hence, where will be the lath-and-plaster glories of the Regent’s Park?