Chapter II: Part 2

Casting his eyes around, as if in a reverie of thought, he scanned the character of the various luxuries of the well-appointed drawing-room in which they sat. Glancing from the broad mirror boldly superposed on the massive carved chimney-piece of Carrara marble, which in its turn enclosed the highly-polished steel and burnishings of a costly Sheffield grate and its furniture, to the rich silk hangings of the windows—their gilded cornices and single sheets of plate-glass—thence to the chairs of rosewood and ivory inlaid, the seats of silken suit—the companion couch and ottoman of most ample dress—the curious and costly cabinet, the screens, the gold-mounted harp, the “grand piano.”—Pacing once the length of the room on the gay velvet of the carpet, he turned again and rested his view on the table, choicely decked with books, most expensive in all the appliances of paper, type, illustration, and binding—having done all this, with breath suppressed and stiflings of emotion, which fain had broken out with a scornful repetition of the lady’s words, “there is no money for such things now-a-days,” he quietly disengaged himself of his passion, and by an apparently easy transition ran on thus:

“I have been calling to mind some of my early readings, and most prominent just now is the recollection of the observations of Hope when treating the subject of Egyptian Architecture and commenting on the vastness of the Pyramids; he enters into a speculation as to the means by which the people of that country under the Pharaohs were enabled to find the leisure, or the time necessary for the construction of such stupendous works, and he ventures to ascribe it to the natural fertility of the soil caused by the annual over-flowings of the Nile, thus demanding less from the Egyptians of the labour and care of agriculture; and hence the drift of their exertions in the direction of architecture. True, the bounty of nature would go a long way in supplying to the cravings of art the leisure and opportunity for gratification. True, those pyramids are evidence of the direction of great means and great powers to an end which astounds more than it edifies us, but what were the bounties of Egypt’s irrigating water, what the greatness of their pyramids compared with that bounty which Providence has given us in the mineral and the out-growing mechanical characteristics of this favoured country, and the pyramids which we erect as if in emulation of Egyptian vanity and inutility?” “Pyramids!” interrupted the lady, “Ah, it is always so with you, to propound to us first some extravagant project, and when driven from your ground by a common sense and practical answer, to take shelter in some ambiguity or paradox. Pyramids, Sir,—what is your meaning?” “Here,” said the Enthusiast, “here, madam, are stones from some of the English pyramids, of which your Scotts, and Byrons, and Bulwers, and Marryatts have been the architects. Compare the labours, and the end of the labours of these ingenious minds with those of the architects of the Egyptian pyramids, and tell me then the difference in amount. See the glories and untiring industry of him of Abbotsford, devoted to an incessant wearing out of the energies of his mind in designing pyramids of fiction—look on the ant-like bustle and activity of the thousands whom he brought into requisition to be engaged in the building—look at the millions of devotees who have prostrated and continue to prostrate themselves at these great entombments of his genius.—The paper-makers—the printers—the artists employed in illustration—the binders—the booksellers—the advertizing—the correspondence—the carrying—volumes, pyramids of volumes to advertize alone—an endless train of carriages and lines of road for the conveyance—the Builders and makers employed on all these—and on the establishments of printers, booksellers, &c.—and then the excited million of expectants, the absorbed and half-entranced readers—the hours, days, weeks, months, and years of reading—the impatience of interruption till the whole delusion is swallowed—the readings again and again—the contagion from the elders to the younger—children even bewildered with the passion to peep into, to pore over, and last, to read as rote-books these little better than idle fables—bootless in their aim and object, and pointless in all but their rival obtuseness of the mountain-mocking pyramids. The fertility, the leisure, and the vanities of Egypt!—oh, madam, their country was sterility—their leisure, incessant bustle compared with what we enjoy; and their vain direction of labour and thought not to be named after this enumeration of vanities. Pyramids!—where they had one we have ten. Where ages were required by the Egyptians, we in as many years outvie them, and yet your answer to my aspirations is, “We have no money for such things as these!”

Reader, we have beguiled ourselves and you, and not the Enthusiast, into a sitting; and one feature is sketched of his likeness and his character.

STREET SWEEPING MACHINE.

We give the following notice in connexion with the subject of Wood Pavements, believing, as we do, that the efficiency of that mode of paving greatly depends upon its being kept clean; an object which this invention will materially facilitate.

_Patent Self-Loading Cart, or Street-Sweeping Machine._

The Self-loading Cart has been lately brought into operation in the town of Manchester, where it has excited a considerable degree of public attention. It is the invention of Mr. Whitworth, of the firm of Messrs. Joseph Whitworth & Co., engineers, by whom it has been patented, and is now in process of manufacture. The principle of the invention consists in employing the rotatory motion of locomotive wheels, moved by horse or other power, to raise the loose soil from the surface of the ground, and deposit it in a vehicle attached.

It will be evident that the self-loading principle is applicable to a variety of purposes. Its most important application, however, is to the cleaning of streets and roads. The apparatus for this purpose consists of a series of brooms suspended from a light frame of wrought iron, hung behind a common cart, the body of which is placed as near the ground as possible, for the greater facility of loading. As the cart-wheels revolve, the brooms successively sweep the surface of the ground, and carry the soil up an inclined plane, at the top of which it falls into the body of the cart.

The apparatus is extremely simple in construction, and will have no tendency to get out of order, nor will it be liable to material injury from accident. The draught is not severe on the horse. Throughout the process of filling, a larger amount of force is not required that would be necessary to draw the full cart an equal distance.

The success of the operation is no less remarkable than its novelty. Proceeding at a moderate speed through the public streets, the cart leaves behind it a well-swept track, which forms a striking contrast with the adjacent ground. Though of the full size of a common cart, it has repeatedly filled itself in the space of six minutes from the principal thoroughfares of the town before mentioned.

The state of the streets in our large towns, and particularly in the metropolis, it must be admitted, is far from satisfactory. It is productive of serious hindrance to traffic, and a vast amount of public inconvenience. The evil does not arise from the want of a liberal expenditure on the part of the local authorities. In the township of Manchester, the annual outlay for scavenging is upwards of 5,000_l_. This amount is expended in the township alone. In the remaining districts of the town, the expense is considerable. Other towns are burdened in an equal or still greater proportion. Yet, notwithstanding the amount of outlay, the effective work done is barely one-sixth part of what would be necessary to keep the public streets in proper order. In the district before referred to, they were a short time ago distributed into the following classes, according to the frequency of cleaning them:—Class A,—once a week; B,—once a fortnight; C,—once a month. It may be safely asserted, that all these streets should be swept, at least, six times oftener. The main thoroughfares, as well as the back streets and confined courts, crowded with the poorer part of the population, absolutely require cleaning out daily. But the expense already incurred effectually prevents a more frequent repetition of the process. The expensiveness of the present system, in fact, renders it altogether inefficient; nor is there any chance of material improvement in this important department of public police, unaccompanied by a corresponding reduction in the rate of expenditure.

* * * * *

According to the _Kunctsblatt_, a German painter, Edward Hansen, of Basle, has been commissioned to prepare cartoons for the oil paintings intended to decorate the church at Oscott, which Mr. Pugin is about to build at the Earl of Shrewsbury’s expense. One of the designs, “The Last Judgment,” is spoken of as exceedingly beautiful. On the same authority, we learn that Thorwalsden has sustained a loss by the wreck of a ship, bound from Leghorn to Hamburg. On board were several of his works, most of which were saved, but were completely spoiled by the sea-water; from which we infer that they were plaster casts.

Gothic Architecture.

CHAPTER I.

We now beg to draw attention to what we consider will be found the most important feature in this number, inasmuch as it is the commencement of the task with which we have charged ourselves to enter upon the investigation and elucidation of the character and principles of Gothic Architecture.

We use this unhappy term, Gothic, for no other reason than that as we address ourselves mainly to the workmen, and as the style of architecture so designated (originally in opprobrium) has now and for long obtained the appellation in a popular sense, we feel unwilling to depart from it until a thoroughly correct epithet shall have been devised and accepted amongst us; that we are justified in this decision, or rather indecision, we think may be shewn by the various opinions of parties who may be said to rank as the authorities on such points. Mr. Pugin is anxious that it should be called “Pointed, or Christian Architecture.” Mr. Whewell and others have lately been pleading for a title which the prevalence of vertical lines and principles of construction, as in contradistinction to the horizontal character of Greek architecture, appear to them to justify; others again have contended for the term “English Architecture.” Now, without committing ourselves to an opinion of our own, we think there is sufficient ground for hesitating as to the adoption of this or that novelty, notwithstanding our strong objection to the inapt and absurd term “Gothic.”

Our task will be formidable, as to the length of time it will occupy, the pains-taking it will require, the expense it will entail upon us, and, above all, the system with which it must be conducted. But what good thing is to be accomplished without some one or more of all these? We only hope to be cheered on by the approving smiles and the patient co-operation of those for whom we undertake it.

And how do we commence this task, so as to give promise that a system may be observed, without which the best efforts in other respects are likely to fail? It will not do to enter upon it at random, or without due preparation, both on our own part and that of our readers. We shall, therefore, proceed to state our object in selecting the illustration we have done as the heading of this paper.

Let the carpenters look to it, and let them look on it with pride—nay, let them look on it as we have done, with reverence. Let them remember that this was the work of great spirits of their department. It is a master-piece, and we have chosen it on this account, as we shall continue, for some weeks to come, to make choice of similar master-pieces, in the masons’ department. Oh! we have such glorious examples at our hands. And then, again, as to ornamental brickwork, and brass and latten work, and that gorgeous coloured glazing, and such mastery in the carvers’ and sculptors’ art; these we choose, to fire the breasts of our readers. We would excite them by such glowing description of the land of promise into which we propose to lead them, that the future steps, however irksome or laborious, may be trodden with a light and gladsome foot. For the present, then, and as we have said, for weeks to come, we shall select the instances of varied excellence in roofs, vaults, arching, in traceried windows, doorways, screens, in elaborate specimens of “bench carpentry,” such as stalls, pulpits, railings, tabernacle and screen work, in monumental brasses and other memorials of sepulture, in moulded and enriched brickwork; the encaustic and coloured pavements, the staining in glass, and generally all such matter in the province of the artificer as may be regarded with the admiring eye of the discerning practitioner.

Borrowing a similitude from what we are otherwise bound to deprecate, we would speak of these as the trophies of our predecessors in campaigns of glory, bidding every good soldier in this day of later, though of similar service, to burn with ardour until he may have successfully emulated the doings of his ancestry.

Yes, every carpenter should feel proud of a calling which enrols him in the ranks of a craft whose arms are emblazoned and charged with insignia such as these; but we promise the same evidences of distinction to every department of the building fraternity.

This Westminster-Hall roof, spanning over an area of 74 feet wide and 270 feet in length, rearing its ridge to the height of 90 feet, exhibits in its application a proof of the progress of working upon a principle which is, in the present day, somewhat too much decried. Originally that Hall was otherwise covered in; doubtless, in the same manner as the halls at Norwich and York; that is, with a roof supported by pillars; but the decay, or perhaps destruction by fire, of the original roof, gave scope to the genius of advanced science, which, disdaining to merely restore, applied this noble emendation,—with such happy effect, however, as not only to reconcile us to a departure from the original models, but to lead us to applaud the “_innovator_.”

The illustration we have given has been made pictorial rather than simply geometrical; because, as we have already observed, our object now is not to enter into a critical examination, which would with such a subject be beginning at the wrong end, but to give a comprehensive glimpse of that end to which we must by another process patiently steer. This plan will enable us, too, to give much more effect to our future instruction, inasmuch as it will enable a greater number of readers to become our companions in the paths of study and research. After we have occupied what appears on all hands to be a sufficient number of our series in illustrations of this class, we shall commence with the simple rudiments of Gothic art, citing first from the most ancient specimens the various features of the edifices of the period, and accompanying it by a glossary of terms and such matter of description as will give the series the character of a workman’s hand-book or manual.

Take, for instance, the subject of Roofs as now brought before us. We have in this draught or picture, a kind of summing up of that which it will be our duty to go through in detail, as to style, construction, and workmanship. In Masonry, though the end may be one of those embodied marvels of the imagination, the almost over-wrought canopy of a stone ceiling or roof; and which end, as in the case of this week’s carpentry, we may present to view; yet the beginning of our studies will be some rude effort of a Saxon chisel, and their continuation, to trace through the various eras the change and progress, until we arrive, skilled as masters, to analyze and fully understand the intricacies of science and art involved in these objects of our setting out.

By this we hope to give a thoroughly practical character and value to our pages, and that this will be in nowise diminished, if we shew ourselves now and then susceptible of emotions of almost ecstatic delight, while we contemplate those almost superhuman efforts of the skill of the mid-æval architects and workmen.

In concluding the present chapter, we beg to state that we have copied the drawing at its head from the beautiful work known as Britton and Brayley’s Westminster.

Reviews.

_First Additional Supplement to the Encyclopædia of Cottage, Farm, and Villa Architecture and Furniture._ By J. C. LOUDON, F.L.S., &c. London: Longman and Co.

It was said by the _Times_, of the Encyclopædia to which this is a supplement, that “no single work had ever effected so much in improving the arrangement and the external appearance of country dwellings, generally,” and nothing that was ever said by that influential journal had in it greater truth. We scruple not to go out of our way to subscribe in full to this opinion. And we say more, that no man living has ever laboured more assiduously, generously, and usefully, to effect every practical improvement in the building art, than our good and worthy friend Mr. Loudon.

And why should we scruple or be ashamed to confess the strength of our partialities for one of whom we entertain such an opinion? It may be said,—but no! we will not do any man the injustice to suppose that he will say any thing in disparagement of our motives, and certainly none will be so ungrateful as to undervalue the honest disinterestedness of our friend. See him, read his works, and if any one after that retires with a feeling of less reverential respect than our own, we will give him license to bate us for a partiality of an over-measured and unfair amount.

What if he has put at our service in the Precursor Number and in this review the choice of those pleasing illustrations that adorn his works? We point to these as additional proofs of his title to the respect and esteem of our readers. He was influenced, we know full well, by that same generous purpose which has sustained him through life, which has made him to triumph over physical difficulties and to stand now a living, and to be a memorable instance of the supremacy of mental over material power. He will pardon us, if in the honest excess of our gratitude on personal grounds, but much more in our humble capacity as of the “craft” for whom he has so well laboured—a gratitude which took possession of our minds through the reading of his works long before we knew him—he will pardon us, if, unrestrained by a sense of the little pain we may cause him on the one hand, we thus tender to him that which we are assured, will on the other be acceptable—our honest and undisguised, but feeble expression of grateful esteem.

As we profess to teach not so much by criticisms, which after all can have but little weight, or at any rate little more than the opinion of an individual, and when delivered with an air of authority that the test of inquiry would dissipate, only make criticism ridiculous, and confirms error; as we teach not so much by criticisms as by joining in the commendations of generally acknowledged good; and as every one who has travelled on the North Midland Railway has acknowledged, that the station-buildings on that line have more of the picturesque and attractive than any thing of the kind on our other railways, we have a pleasure in transferring from Mr. Loudon’s Supplement the accompanying elevation of “a cottage in the style of the Ambergate Railway Station,” by Mr. Francis Thompson, who was also the architect of that station, and it will readily be admitted that there is a meritoriousness which entitles this design to the regard which that gentleman’s other works have obtained.

The next selection which we make is a design, by Mr. E. B. Lamb, of “the Keeper’s Lodge at Bluberhouses,” which, it appears, was built, with some slight variations, for Sir F. R. Russell, Bart., on his estate of Thirkleby Park, Thirsk, Yorkshire.

In Mr. Loudon’s text there are some judicious remarks on the elevations; the construction is also described, and plans likewise given, as indeed with all the designs, both of this supplement and its parent or precursor volume. The supplement alone contains nearly 300 engravings.

The next design is also by Mr. Lamb, and is one out of a number of “small villas in the Gothic style,” originally intended to be built near Gravesend. We have not space to transfer Mr. Loudon’s critique, and are precluded by the rule we have laid down from any observations of our own.

In a future number it is our intention to return to this subject, and, in connection with the question of the improvement of labourers’ and workmen’s dwelling houses, several plans for which are now before us, we shall have the assistance of Mr. Loudon’s matured lucubrations, as given in the Encyclopædia and the Supplement.

Architectural College.

An Architectural College was founded in London, on Advent Eve, 1842, for the cultivation of the various branches of the art, under the denomination of the “_Free-Masons of the Church, for the Recovery, Maintenance, and Furtherance of the True Principles and Practice of Architecture_.”

It appears that the objects contemplated in the foundation of this Institution are the rediscovery of the ancient principles of architecture; the sanction of good principles of building, and the condemnation of bad ones; the exercise of scientific and experienced judgment in the choice and use of the most proper materials; the infusion, maintenance, and advancement of science throughout architecture; and, eventually, by developing the powers of the College upon a just and beneficial footing, to reform the whole practice of architecture, to raise it from its present vituperated condition, and to bring around it the same unquestioned honour which is at present enjoyed by almost every other profession.

It is proposed, by having numerous professors, contributors, and co-labourers, to acquire a great body of practical information; and that, whenever any knowledge of value shall be obtained by the College, the same shall be immediately communicated to each of its members, without waiting for the production of a whole volume, and before the subject-matter shall have lost any of its professional interest.

By the appointment of a “_Professor of Architectural Dynamics_,” the gravitation of materials will be taught to the student in practical architecture: thence in all designs the present mystery, in which the quantity of materials merely absolutely requisite to cause a building to hold firmly together, may be ended; architectural designs may in future be made on certain principles of stability, and therefore on principles of natural and philosophical taste; and through the economy of discharging from buildings all lumber, as is the case with all living members of the creation, the architect will be enabled to restore to his work, frequently without extra expense, the carving and other exquisite beauties for which ancient architecture has in every age been celebrated.

By the appointment of a “_Professor of Architectural Jurisprudence_,” it is judged that the practical profession of architecture will be rendered more sure, through the acquirement of fixed and certain rules relative to contracts, rights of property, dilapidations, and other legal matters.

By having a “_Professor of Architectural Chemistry_,” it is confidently expected that a more certain method will be assured to the practitioner in the choice of proper and durable materials.

By the appointment of the various other professors and officers, it is judged that the very best information will be obtained upon all material matters connected with the science and the practice of architecture, and that a degree of perfection will be thus induced, and will thus mix itself with the practice and execution of the art in a manner which is not now very often the case.

As a first labour of the College, it is proposed that the present unsatisfactory division and nomenclature of pointed architecture shall be remedied, and that all the publications of the society upon that subject shall be issued according to such classification and nomenclature. Not indeed that the perfecting of so desirable a project can be expected at once; but such a nomenclature can be laid down as shall immediately distinguish the different members of the art, which are as numerous as those of heraldry; and these can be superseded by more primitive or more simple and energetic terms, as they shall be recovered from ancient contracts and other documents, or shall be invented by more judicious and mature consideration. But to prevent doubt or future mistake, it is proposed that a cut of each intended object shall be executed, and that a reference shall be made to where exemplars of it are to be found, and also to its chronology.

Further, it is proposed to render this College still more useful, by joining with it a charitable foundation, for the behoof of those and their families over whom it shall please Providence, after a life devoted to the service and practice of architecture and its dependant arts, that need shall fall.

This institution, the scope of which is most extensive, is silently, but rapidly forming, and has already connected with it many of the chief men of the literature and science of architecture: few of those whose names will be found amid the subjoined list have not distinguished themselves by the authorship of some eminent architectural work, and many of them are well known in the sciences and arts connected with architecture. A power, an order, and a propriety previously unknown in the profession since the fall of pointed architecture in the sixteenth century, are being worked out, by having every man at his post, and with ability to fill that post well.

Twelve meetings of the College are appointed to take place in every year, and four have already been held.

The following elections have taken place:—

_Advent-Eve_, 1842.

1. Edward Cresy, Esq., F.S.A., Architect of Trafalgar-square,
as Professor of Pointed Architecture.

2. Thomas Parker, Jun., Esq., of Lincoln’s-Inn, as Professor of
Architectural Jurisprudence.

3. Valentine Bartholomew, Esq., F.R.B.S., Flower-Painter in
Ordinary to the Queen, of 23, Charlotte-street, Portland-place,
as Professor of Fruit and Flower Painting.

4. George Aitchison, Esq., Architect, A.I.C.E., Surveyor to
the St. Katharine’s Dock Company, and to the Honourable the
Commissioners of Sewers for the Precinct of St. Katharine, as
Professor of Concreting and Opus Incertum.

5. W. R. Billings, Esq., of Manor House, Kentish Town, as
Itinerant Delineator.

6. William Bartholomew, Esq., of Gray’s Inn, Vestry Clerk of
St. John, Clerkenwell, as Honorary Solicitor.

7. W. P Griffith, Esq., F.S.A., Architect, St. John’s-square,
as Baptisterographer, or Delineator of Fonts and Baptisteries.

8. Frederick Thatcher, Esq., A.R.I.B.A., Architect, of
Furnival’s Inn, as Recorder, or Clerk of Proceedings.

9. William Fisk, Esq., of Howland-street, as Professor of
Historical Painting.

10. C.H. Smith, Esq., of Clipstone-street, as Architectural
Sculptor.

11. Thomas Deighton, Esq., of Eaton-place, Belgrave-square,
Architectural Modeller to her Majesty and Prince Albert, as
Modeller of Buildings.

12. W. G. Rogers, Esq., of Great Newport-street, as Gibbons
Carver.

13. J. G. Jackson, Esq., Architect, of Leamington Priors, as
Correspondent Delineator for the County of Warwick.

14. T. L. Walker, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., Architect, of Nuneaton,
Warwick, as Correspondent Delineator for the County of Warwick.

15. John Mallcott, Esq., of Newgate-street, as Professor of
Masonry.

16. Alfred Bartholomew, Esq., F.S.A., Architect, of Warwick
House, Gray’s Inn, as Honorary Secretary.

17. Josiah Houle, Esq., Architect, of Turnham-green, as Custos.

18. Joseph Springbett, Esq., of Islington, Architect, as
Cataloguist of Proceedings.

19. James De-Carle Sowerby, Esq., F.L.S., F.R.B.S., Secretary
of the Royal Botanical Society, Regent’s-park, as Professor of
Botany.

20. Thomas Moule, Esq., St. James’s Palace, as Honorary
Architectural Biographer.

21. Walter Chamberlaine, Esq., Worcester, as Maker of Encaustic
Tile Pavements.

22. H. P. Bone, Esq., of 12, Percy-street, Enamel Painter to
Her Majesty, as Enamel Painter.

23. Also, Miss F. Bessemer, of Pentonville, Embroidress to the
Queen, as Embroidress.

The Honorary Fellowship was conferred upon the following gentlemen:—

Sir F. Palgrave, Knt., F.R.S., and F.S.A., of the Rolls’-house,
Chancery-lane.

The Rev. R. Willis, M.A., F.R.S., Jacksonian Professor,
Cambridge.

The Rev. William Whewell, B.D., V.P.R.S., Master of Trinity
College, Cambridge.

Thomas Willement, Esq., F.S.A., of Green-street,
Grosvenor-square.

James Savage, Esq., F.S.A., Architect, of Essex-street, Strand.

Messrs. Nichols, FF.S.A. of the Gentleman’s Magazine,
Parliament-street.

Owen Jones, Esq., Architect, of John-street, Adelphi.

C. Berry, Esq., R.A., Architect, London.

J. H. Good, Esq., F.R.I.B.A., Architect, Kensington Palace,
Surveyor to her Majesty’s Commissioners for Building Churches,
to the Incorporated Society for Building, &c., Churches, to the
Pavilion at Brighton, and to Kensington Palace.

Samuel Ware, Esq., F.S.A., Portland-place and Henden Hall.

R. Abraham, Esq., F.S.A., of Keppel-street, Architect to the
Herald’s College, &c.; with a request that he will take the
honorary office of Mensurator.

James Ingram, D.D., President of Trinity College, Oxford.

The Secretaries of the Society of Antiquaries, of the Oxford
Gothic Society, of the Church Commissioners, and of the
Society for Building, &c. Churches.

Each of the Church Commissioners.

Each Bishop, Dean, Archdeacon, and Rural Dean, and each Master
of the Colleges of Oxford and Cambridge.

Each of the Kings-at-Arms.

_Elections, Second Chapter, Dec. 13, 1842._

Augustus Abraham Winterbottom, Esq., Architect, Walham-green,
Fulham, as Fellow and Auditor.

_Honorary Fellows._

Rev. Hugh Hughes, B.D., Rector of the Knights Hospitallers’
Ancient Priorial Church of St. John of Jerusalem, at
Clerkenwell, to be one of the Chaplains to the College.

Rev. Daniel Moore, B.A., of Maida Hill, to be also one of the
Chaplains to the College.

Rev. George Newneham Wright, M.A., of Hatton-garden, Editor of
the Colonial Magazine.

C. Irving, Esq., L.L.D., F.A.S., Editor of the Polytechnic
Journal.

W. H. Black, Esq., Impropriate Rector of Little Maplestead,
Essex, and Assistant Keeper of the Public Records at the Rolls’
House, Chancery-lane.

_Elections, Third Chapter, Jan. 10, 1843._

Thomas Hudson Turner, Esq., of 6, Symond’s Inn, as Professor of
Heraldry.

Mr. E. Cresy, Jun., of 3, Trafalgar Square, as one of the
Collectors and Designers of Monumental Brasses.

John William Griffith, Esq., of St. John’s Square, Architect,
Fellow and Auditor.

James Collie, Esq., of Glasgow, Architect, Honorary Fellow, and
also Correspondent Delineator for Scotland.

Samuel Ware, Esq., of Portland Place and Hendon Hall, as
Contributing Fellow.

James Wilson, Esq., F.S.A., Architect, of 6, Alfred Place,
Bath, as Fellow and Correspondent Delineator for the County of
Somerset.

Henry Ashton, Esq., Architect, of 50, Lower Brooke Street,
Grosvenor Square, as Honorary Fellow.

George Porter, Esq., Architect, of Fort Place, Bermondsey,
District Surveyor of the Parish of Newington, and of North
Lambeth, as Fellow and Auditor.

William Conrade Lochner, Esq., F.I.B.A., Architect, of Albion
Hall, London, Surveyor to the Royal Exchange Assurance Company,
as Fellow and Auditor.

David Sands, Esq., Architect, Walham Green, Fulham, as Fellow.

Mr. J. W. Archer, of Clarendon Street, New Road, Monumental
Brassier.

William Bland, Esq., of Hartlip, near Sittingborne, Kent, as
Honorary Fellow.

George Pearce Pocock, Esq., of Norfolk Street, Strand,
Solicitor, as Lay Fellow and Auditor.

Alfred Fowler, Esq., of Datchet, as Lay Fellow.

Rev. Frederick Pearce Pocock, B.A., of St. Peter’s College,
Cambridge, as Honorary Fellow, and also one of the Chaplains.

William Wallen, Esq., F.S.A., of 41, West Parade, Huddersfield,
as Fellow and Correspondent Delineator for the County of York.

_At the Fourth Chapter, held Feb. 14th._

A beautiful illuminated Election Diploma was ordered to be adopted; and the following elections were made—

Rev. Geo. Pocock, Vicar of Hallsham, Honorary Fellow and
Chaplain.

W. P. Griffith, Esq., St. John’s Square, London, Contributing
Fellow.

J. J. Wood, Esq., Civil Engineer, New Palace Road, Lambeth,
Fellow.

C. L. Greaves, Esq., Fulham, Lay Fellow.

T. Dodd, Esq., Curator to the Bodleian Library, Oxford, Lay
Fellow.

W. F. Harrison, Esq., Rochester, Lay Fellow.

R. Call, Esq., of Tavistock Street, Bedford Square, Lay Fellow,
and Professor of Architectural Acoustics.

Mr. W. H. Rogers, of Great Newport Street, Illuminator.

We recommend architects, architectural students, and patrons of architecture to join this institution, the advantages of which promise to be great, and the costs small.

PUBLIC FOOTPATHS, &c.

The following letter is so generally applicable to the subject of the management of the roads and footways in the environs of large towns, that we insert it as much on that account as for the particular drift which recommends it to the attention of our metropolitan readers:—

_To the Editor of the Morning Herald._

“Sir,—The readiness with which you insert notices of public
grievances, and the effect which these notices always have
in drawing attention to them, induces me to state to you a
serious inconvenience to which the inhabitants of Bayswater are
subject, in the hope that it may through your pages attract the
attention of the Metropolitan Road Commission.

“It is simply this that the footpath of a considerable portion
of the Bayswater-road, between the end of Oxford-street and
the door into Kensington-gardens, is during wet weather,
and especially after frost, in a worse state than any other
footpath, as far as I know, in the neighbourhood of London;
in fact, though in the immediate suburbs of the metropolis,
it has, with its wide and deep open ditch, and rough hedge
bank, all the characteristics of a footpath in a remote
rural district. It requires only to be inspected, to produce
conviction that it ought no longer to remain in its present
disgraceful state. On the other side of the road, approaching
the door into Kensington-gardens, there is another open
ditch, which serves as a common sewer to the houses in its
neighbourhood; and the fœtid exhalations from this ditch in
the warm weather, and the filthy appearance of the water in it
at all times, are disgraceful to the public authorities; more
especially in these days, when so much attention is being paid
to public drainage, and other sanitary measures.

“The parish authorities have been repeatedly applied to,
but their answer is, that it is the business of the Road
Commissioners to attend to these footpaths and ditches.

“As to the footpaths, they ought to be paved, or laid with
asphalte; but if it be too expensive to pave the whole width
of the footpath, a strip of two feet wide, along the middle,
would be a great accommodation to females and aged persons,
and to workmen going to and returning from their work in the
morning and evenings. Some years ago you published a letter
of mine, in which I endeavoured to point out the advantages
that would result from paving a narrow strip along the middle
of the footpaths, or two separate strips along such as were
much frequented, on all the footpaths round London for several
miles distant. Besides the obvious accommodation to females and
infirm persons which this strip of pavement or asphalte would
afford, it would enable mechanics going to their work to walk
nearly as fast again as they do now, and consequently they
might have their dwellings farther out in the country, where
they would pay lower rents, and sleep in better air. Strips of
Yorkshire pavement two feet wide might be laid down at 1s. 3d.
per foot in length, or cheaper if the contract were made for
laying down several miles of it.

“As for the ditches on the Bayswater-road, they require only an
18-inch barrel-drain, and filling up to the level of the path.

“If I might farther trespass on your pages, I would direct
public attention to the manner in which the trees and
shrubs along footpaths are cut and mangled by the parochial
road-surveyors in the suburbs of London. On the south side
of roads lying in the direction of east and west, it may be
advantageous to cut off all those branches which overhang the
footpath, the better to admit the sun and wind to act on its
surface; but surely the Act of Parliament which directs the
lopping of trees overhanging roads, need not be so rigidly
enforced in the case of streets running in the direction from
north to south, along the whole surface of which the sun shines
a portion of every day throughout the year when he appears;
whereas on the south sides of east and west streets, during a
portion of every day in the year, he does not shine at all.
The street from which I date this letter consists of detached
houses, each surrounded by a garden, the low trees and large
shrubs in which slightly overhang the footpath, or rather, I
should say, break and vary the line of the front palisades,
and render the street one of the most picturesque in the
immediate neighbourhood of town; but of late a new parochial
road-surveyor acting, no doubt with the best intentions,
according to the letter of the law, has given notice to all
the occupants to cut off the overhanging branches, which
having been done by the greater number of occupants, even to
the cutting off of the projecting tufts of ivy, has produced
a formal line of amputation which disfigures the street,
without doing any good whatever. In the case of a north and
south street, it is surely sufficient to cut off all branches
that would impede a tall person carrying an umbrella, or which
reach as far as the curb-stone, and might be in the way of
the cart or carriage taking up or setting down. I understand
that in such a case as this there is no appeal, except to the
magistrates, who of course can only point to the law.

“I hope this last subject may be considered as coming within
the province of the Metropolitan Commission for Improvements
lately formed, and if so, I hope they will consider this letter
as an appeal to them.

“It never can be the intention of the Legislature to disfigure
any public road or street when doing so is attended with no
public good whatever.

“Apologizing for the length of this letter, and hoping you will
be able to spare room for it,

“I remain, Sir, your obedient servant,

“J. C. LOUDON.

“No. 3, Porchester-terrace, Bayswater,
“February 14th, 1843.”

COTTAGE WINDOWS.

_Extracted from the Supplement to London’s Cyclopædia of Architecture._

“Windows having been generally among the worst constructed parts of Scotch cottages, the Highland Society offered a premium for the best cottage window, which was awarded to Messrs. M’Culloch and Co. of Glasgow, for the form shewn in figs. 2246. to 2248. This form, of the dimensions shown in the figure, viz., three feet three inches by two feet, without the wooden frame, costs, in cast iron, only 5s., and the glass for such a window may be purchased at 2¾ d. per square. This kind of window admits of being formed of any size, and is equally adapted for workshops, farm buildings where glass windows are required, and cottages.

The dimensions that have been recommended for the windows of ordinary cottages are, thirty-nine inches for the height, and twenty-four inches for the width, within the wooden frames. The size of glass required for these frames is seven and a quarter inches by five and a quarter inches. The sash is divided into two unequal parts, the lower part having three squares in height, and the upper part two. The lower part is permanently fixed, while the upper part is constructed to turn in the vertical direction on pivots, which are situate in the line of its middle astragal; and both parts are set in a substantial wooden frame, which may be either built in while the wall is erecting, or may be set in afterwards in the ordinary way, with or without checked rabbets (§ 911), according to the taste of the proprietor. The window, and its arrangements, will be better understood by reference to the annexed figures.

Fig. 2246. is an inside elevation, fig. 2248. a plan, and fig. 2247. a vertical section, in each of which a portion of the wall is exhibited, and the same letters refer to the corresponding parts in each figure; _a_ is a portion of the surrounding wall; _b_, the wooden frame of the window; _c_, the lower sash, which is dormant; and _d_, the upper and moveable sash.

In fig. 2247. the upper sash is represented as open for ventilation; when shut, the parts of the opening-sash cover and overlap the fixed parts in such a manner as to exclude wind and water; but when ventilation is required, the arrangement of the parts which produce this is such as to enable the housekeeper to admit air to any extent. For this purpose the notched latch, _e_, is joined to a stud in the edge of the sash; a simple iron pin or stud is also fixed in the wooden frame at _s_, and the notches of the latch being made to fall upon this stud at any required distance, the requisite degree of opening is secured, and when the sash is again closed, the latch falls down parallel with, and close to, the sash. To secure the sashes when shut, the T bolt, _f_, in the middle of the meeting bars, has only to be turned one-fourth round, and the moveable sash is held fast in close contact with the other. The figures represent the window as finished up with single dressings, viz., plain deal shutters, facings, and sole, which, at a small expense, would give an air of neatness and comfort to the apartment, and promote a corresponding taste in the other parts of the cottage. Though the dimensions of the window here stated may be conceived sufficient for lighting an apartment of ordinary size, they can nevertheless be varied to suit every purpose. This may be done either by employing two such windows as above described, with a mullion of wood or stone between them, or the single window may be enlarged by one or two squares in width, or in height, or in both directions.” (_Highland Soc. Trans._, vol. xiii. p. 541.)

SUPPLY OF WATER TO NEW YORK.

(_From the Scotsman of Nov. 12, 1842._)

The New York papers of 15th October are filled with long accounts of the opening of a stupendous aqueduct of thirty-two miles, for conveying water to that city from the Croton River. The celebration of this event took place on Friday, the 14th, under the direction of the Common Council, and consisted of the largest procession of military companies and civic associations that ever took place in New York. It was between six and seven miles in length.

We omit the account which describes the time and order of the procession, the personages and bodies composing it, the forms and ceremonies gone through, the feastings, illuminations, and rejoicings, and proceed with that part of the account which is more directly to our purpose.

It appears that from 1829 up to the present time, New York was supplied with water from a tank or reservoir erected in Thirteenth street, and filled first by means of horse and afterwards by steam power. The present work was commenced in 1835, after being approved of by the people by a vote of 17,330 affirmatives to 3,960 negatives. It consists of:—

First, an artificial reservoir, called the Croton River Lake, 45 miles from the Battery—the extreme part of the city; this lake is formed by a hydraulic stone-masonry dam, with two waste weirs or aprons, for the over fall of the water, one of 87 feet and one of 180 feet, these being separated by a gate-house. The height of these waste weirs is 55 feet above the bed of the river, and 40 feet above the low water level.

The dam backs the water 5 miles, and makes a lake of an area of 400 acres, and a capacity equal to 500 millions of gallons.

The water enters a gate-house, where the quantity is regulated, before it enters the aqueduct, which is a stone structure, lined and arched with brick.

The face of the interior of the aqueduct is at the bottom an inverted arch, width 6 ft. 9 in., height 8 feet 5½ inches, area 53⅓ square feet, about large enough for an omnibus and four to pass through. The line of the aqueduct being on a regular declivity of 13¼ inches to the mile down to the Harlem River, a distance of 33 miles, it has a line of tunnels of 6841 feet, being sixteen in number, sometimes through earth and sometimes through solid rock; the deepest cut is 80 feet, and the least 25 feet. In Westchester only, the aqueduct crosses 25 streams of water, which are from 25 to 13 feet below the top of the aqueduct.

The grade line of aqueduct across the Harlem is 25 feet above tide water, and the top of the water now passes over Harlem river in one pipe of 36 inches, placed on the earthen dam made in the construction of the high bridge.

The bridge itself is now about one-third completed, and will be when finished one of the most stupendous works of the kind in the world. Its cost is estimated at one million of dollars, and its elevation is so great as not to impede the navigation of the stream. Some idea of this vast undertaking may be formed from the fact, that the excavation for one pier has been carried 34 feet below the surface of the water, and then a rock foundation not having been reached, 240 poles, from 30 to 40 feet long, were driven in for the purpose. Several piers having been already carried, by the aid of coffer-dams, from four to fifteen feet above high-water mark.

The river is 620 feet wide at water line, but the slope of the river banks adds an additional distance of 830 feet, making in all 1,480 feet.

The plan now in progress crosses the river with eight arches of 80 feet span, and on piers of 31 by 44 feet at the base, resting on the bed of the river, and 7 arches on piers on the land from the edge of the water up the two banks of the river.

The spring of one of the arches is 95 feet above the lowest foundation put down; the top of the parapet will be 149 feet from the lowest foundation. It is intended that the water shall pass over this bridge in pipes, to have it secure against the possibility of danger.

The interesting works at Clendinning Valley, being a bridge over a valley of 1,900 feet in breadth, the greatest height of the aqueduct is 50 feet from the bottom of the valley; beautiful archways are constructed for three streets, 34 feet for the carriage-way, and 10 on each side for side-walks.

Next in interest is the reservoir at Eighty-sixth Street, which might well be called the detaining or clarifying reservoir. It has two divisions, together thirty-two acres—greatest depth of water twenty-five feet, containing one hundred and fifty millions of gallons. Two lines of thirty-six inch pipes connect this with the reservoir at Fortieth-street, which has also two divisions, forming together an area of four acres—depth of water when filled thirty-six feet. From this point four and a-half miles to the Battery. Whole length of line from the Battery to the artificial lake, fifty miles. There are in this great work 55,000,000 of bricks and 700,000 cubic yards of stone-masonry.

The water in the aqueduct is regulated at the entrance gate, so as not to flow under any pressure—it has not been permitted to flow in the division near the city at a greater depth than two feet, but the works at the Croton dam required a few days back that more water should pass through the first division (the distance between Sing Sing and the Croton river), being eight miles, and it was found to pass seventy-five millions New York gallons in twenty-four hours, and that its velocity was over two miles per hour.

The Croton Lake now retains, beyond the daily river supply, in reserve, five hundred millions of gallons; and a small expense would add other immense artificial lakes to hold back an additional supply; but the necessity of this is hardly conceivable. It is estimated that the London supply, from all their companies, is but twenty-four millions of gallons, and Paris four millions only.

On the 8th of June last the superintendents went through the aqueduct (32 miles in length) on foot, and the whole being found complete, on the 22nd the water was admitted to the depth of eighteen inches. “The Croton Maid,” a small boat prepared for the purpose, and holding four persons, was then placed in the aqueduct, and navigated its entire length by some of the same party. This novel voyage was made sometimes at the depth of 75 feet below and then again 80 feet above the natural surface of the earth, at the rate of a mile in forty minutes, the velocity of the current. When four feet deep, this will probably reach two miles per hour.

On the 27th, the water was admitted into the immense receiving reservoir, in the presence of a large assemblage, including the mayor, governor, military, firemen, &c. &c. A salute of thirty-eight guns was fired, and the Croton Maid, soon making her appearance, was hailed with great enthusiasm, as the evidence that a navigable stream was now flowing into the city. The boat was then formally presented to the Fire Department, and she now lies safely moored in the distributing reservoir. To this basin the stream was admitted on the 4th day of July, amidst general and imposing demonstrations of public joy, the Temperance Societies taking a prominent part.

Since then, the water has continued to flow about two feet deep through the aqueduct, delivering into the receiving reservoir twelve millions of imperial gallons per day, and, as yet, only five or six millions in the pipes; nor has any defect been found in any section of the work.

Over twelve millions of dollars is the estimated cost of the entire work when done. From ten to twelve dollars is the rate charged per annum to families for the use of the water; its own force carries the stream into the highest stories of the most elevated buildings.

“An eminent clergyman (says the _New York Commercial Advertiser_), who has recently travelled in Europe and Asia, pronounces the Croton aqueduct the greatest work of our age, and says he has seen nothing to compare with it in all his travels. Its conception and design are worthy to form an era in history, from the utility, vastness, and simplicity of the undertaking. For centuries to come, it will stand a noble monument of the enterprise, art, and science of the present generation. No population of 300,000 ever before executed such a plan—not undertaken to mark a field of battle—nor like the vast walls of China, Rome, or of modern Paris, in preparation for defence in war. On the contrary, the Croton aqueduct regards the health, temperance, and happiness of myriads of the present generation, and of ages to come. None without seeing it can form an idea of its magnitude and importance.”

Literature.

_Adventures of Martin Chuzzlewit._ Edited by “Boz.” London: Chapman and Hall.

Although it is a part of our plan, in the conduct of this Journal, to give it that varied character which shall constitute it the universal medium of instruction, information, and amusement for the class to which it is addressed, and therefore it needs no apology from us for introducing to our pages extracts from the writings of popular authors, such as those of the inimitable Dickens, yet we are impelled by a two-fold consideration to select from that source in this particular instance. That vein of withering satire in which the author has hitherto indulged in drawing out the character of Squeers, the Yorkshire school-master, is now, it seems, to flow afresh, in the delineation of Mr. Pecksniff, a Wiltshire architect. The broad dash of caricature with which he invests the portrait, is a peculiarity of the author that has no harm in it, since it is directed against a vicious practice, which deserves the strongest reprobation, and of which, as well as of the character of Pecksniff generally, it may be expected that our readers in particular will take an anxious cognizance. The very circumstance of the introduction of this worthy and his simple-minded pupil Pinch into the novel of Martin Chuzzlewit (for novel we suppose we must call it), will make us, and thousands of our class his readers, and eager expectants of the monthly issue which is to develope the workings of the miserable genius of Master Pecksniff. With this preface, we proceed with our purpose of drawing attention to the strong lights and shadows of the picture which arrests the eye of the architectural observer.

THE PARTING OF MR. PECKSNIFF AND HIS PUPIL.

“Come, Mr. Pecksniff,” he said with a smile, “don’t let there be any ill-blood between us, pray. I am sorry we have ever differed, and extremely sorry I have ever given you offence. Bear me no ill-will at parting, sir.”

“I bear,” answered Mr. Pecksniff, mildly, “no ill-will to any man on earth.”

“I told you he didn’t,” said Pinch in an under-tone; “I knew he didn’t! He always says he don’t.”