JAMES WYATT, the celebrated architect, was born at Burton Constable, 3d August 1748. Of his education little is known; but it is probable he displayed an early talent of an uncommon character, as we find him engaged, when only fourteen years of age, to accompany Lord Bagot to Rome, where that nobleman was sent as ambassador. Here probably, through the liberality of the latter, he studied architecture, and, among other things, is said carefully to have measured every part of St Peter's, having been lowered from above by ropes, that he might be enabled to get dimensions of parts otherwise inaccessible. After four years thus spent, he repaired to Venice, and there studied two years under the tuition of the famous Visentini. He returned to London at the age of twenty, and there, whether his fame had preceded him, or through the influence of his noble patron, he designed the celebrated Pantheon, in what was then called the Oxford Road. Of this nothing now remains but the façade. The interior consisted chiefly of a very large circular room, crowned with a spacious dome, which was used for the same purposes as Ranelagh, for music, promenades, and other amusements. Sir John Soane, who was in general sparing of praise, speaks very highly indeed of the talent displayed in this building. It was certainly so much admired, that he was soon at the height of fashionable patronage, and immediately in a very large practice. Very shortly Catharine, the Empress of Russia, sent for him, offering him any terms if he would settle in her kingdom. This, however, by the advice of friends, he declined. Among the numerous works which he executed may be reckoned the palace at Kew, Lee Priory, Fonthill, Hanworth Church, extensive works at the House of Lords, Bulstrode, Doddington, Cashibury, Ashridge, besides a host of minor works in all parts of the kingdom. At the death of Sir W. Chambers, he was appointed Surveyor-general, and, after some delay, was elected a Royal Academician. When the Royal Academicians quarrelled with West after his memorable journey to Paris, where the attention paid him by Napoleon I. and his court seems to have almost turned his head, the Academy elected Wyatt president in his room; but the tradition is, they could not get him to do their business, whether on account of habits of procrastination, or because of the multitude of his professional engagements, does not appear; but in a very short time he was in turn deposed, and West again assumed his place as president. He is well known as one of the revivers of Gothic architecture; and in pursuit of that study, went to great expense in procuring careful drawings and measurements of our best mediaeval buildings. There is great boldness in the way in which most of his Gothic buildings are treated, and ideas of grandeur and magnificence, which won much praise at the time. He was killed by the accidental overturning of the carriage of Mr Codrington, near Marlborough, dying instantly of the concussion, on the 5th Sept. 1813, at the age of 70. He left a wife and four children, three of whom will be noticed below.