Publisher's Synopsis
This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1897 edition. Excerpt: ...publication. "L'Antichiti di Roma," published at Oxford in 1709, was probably the earliest; but the best known of the whole series is the "Vitruvius Britannicus," of which the first two volumes were issued by Campbell in 1715 and 1717, and the third in 1725; the two final volumes were published by Woolfe and Gandon in 1 767 One approaches this work of Campbell's with feelings partly of gratitude, partly of dislike. It was undoubtedly a fine idea to undertake to place on record most of the important buildings of his time, and to the student of English eighteenth century architecture the work is simply invaluable. The labour involved in such an enterprise must have been stupendous, and whatever faults there may have been in Campbell's temper and judgment, he was certainly a capable architect and a good draughtsman. The fault of 'Introduction to "Vitruvius Britannicus," vols. iv. and v., 1767. 1 A continuation in two volumes was published by G. Richardson in 1802, under the title of the " New Vitruvius Britannicus." the book is its partisan spirit. It was compiled with the double object of setting the fashion for Palladianism pure and simple, and of gaining the favour of Campbell's friends and patrons, and it is quite possible that Lord Burlington suggested the general lines of the scheme. The consequence is that Campbell's series, which professed to be representative, is distinctly partial and one-sided. Only a single instance is given of Wren's domestic work, and Gibbs is not mentioned at all. Moreover, the inspiration is evidently that of the virtuoso rather than of the artist. Though Campbell could tolerate the outlandish experiments of Vanbrugh, he had no sympathy with the graceful fancy of Wren, ...
