Palaces are at all times objects of national interest, or rather they
are national concerns. They belong to the attributes of royalty, and
in some instances have been erected by a grateful people to celebrate
the virtues of patriot princes. We therefore make no apology to our
readers for occupying so large a portion of the present Supplementary
Number with the representations and details of the New Palace, (the
exterior of which is just now completed,) and of the consequent
improvements in the adjoining Parks; since we are persuaded that the
patriotic feelings of our subscribers will hail them as subjects of
paramount importance. The great Lord Bacon, who treated these matters
with the gravity of a philosopher, in his "Essays," gives a "brief
model of a princely palace;" and in our times Napoleon is known to
have expended many thousands in restoring the gilding of the palace at
Versailles--although the extravagance of its founders paved the way
for the events in which he distinguished himself.

In architectural improvement, London has made greater advances since
the late peace, than in the entire century which preceded that
auspicious event. Being unquestionably the richest, the largest, and
most populous city of Europe, the seat of a wealthier court, and a
more opulent body of nobility and gentry than any other metropolis, it
seems only a reasonable expectation that it should likewise excel all
others in the number and magnificence of its public edifices and
private dwellings. Such, however, is not the case; for, till within
the last few years, that most splendid and impressive of all the arts,
architecture, has been almost wholly neglected.

The architectural superiority of London, such as it is, consists in
the number, size, and neatness of its principal streets and squares.