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FINE ARTS.

ARCHITECTURAL DRAWINGS IN THE

ROYAL ACADEMY.

THIS is a portion of the annual exhibition which has never received from the council of the academy the attention which the subjects demand: either the designs sent in are deficient in numbers, or a want of judgment must have influenced the selection of those which are exhibited. This fault was very apparent in the former gallery; it is not remedied in the present. The room appropriated to the architectural drawings is not sufficiently large to display them to advantage, and even the brief space which is allotted is still incroached upon by another class of subjects.

If any designs have been rejected, it would be a curious speculation to endeavour to ascertain the causes which led to such a step; for among those which are exhibited we notice some which had better have been left out-puffs for railways, which will never be heard of out of the share-market, and the fittings-up of rooms by paper-hangers, neither of which description of designs have any business in the exhibition, however useful they may be as advertisements.

We give priority, both on account of its originality and artist-like character, to a fine drawing by Mr. C. R. Cockerell, R. A. entitled,

1111. Tribute to the memory of Sir Christopher Wren, being a collection of his principal works. The principal, if not all the known works of the great master, are brought together and grouped in a pyramidal form with great taste and skill. The summit of the eminence is crowned with the grand masterpiece of Wren, St. Paul's; on one side, the towers and intended spire of Westminster just show themselves; below the cathedral, Greenwich and Chelsea are exhibited as examples of palatial architecture, and the observatory seen in the distance of the domestic class; the vast collection of London spires spring up in the foreground and middle distance, each with its proper elevation, and every one distinctly marked in detail; the interior of a church or two in section, the Oxford Theatre, and the dome of the Physicians' College, are also shown: the entire composition forming one of the most splendid architectural groups imaginable. The well-known epitaph forms an appropriate motto; and the whole is worthy of the deepest regard, not only as a collection of fine architectural objects, but as a just tribute to a wonderful exercise of human genius. What would be the feelings of a GENT. MAG. VOL. X.

stranger to Wren and London when he witnesses this aggregation of beautiful objects, to be told that the whole were the production of one individual?-What powers of mind must that man have possessed-what an inexhaustible fund of imagination must have been at his command? We hope Mr. Cockerell will not omit to engrave this design.

In ecclesiastical architecture, there are many subjects; but the majority do not rise above common-place. Of this class the following are examples:

1063. View of the Catholic Church of St. Edmund at Bury. C. Day.

1199. The Catholic Church of St. Francis Xavier, Broud-street, Hereford. C. Day. A plain unbroken body or nave, with a recess on the principal front, in which is placed two columns, is the leading feature of each design: the first is Ionic, the second Doric; both are of Grecian architecture. In the second design, a cupola peeps above the roof, an excessively correct addition to a Grecian portico: the cross alone marks the character of the edifice; remove the sacred symbol, and the design will suit any other description of building for which it may be needed an assembly or auction-room, a court house, or a mechanics' institution. -Why was not the Pointed style used?

1084. The new Church erecting on the Tenter-ground for the Metropolis Church fund, by Wyatt and Brandon.-A plain structure with a diminutive spire set on a square tower. The chief fault is an attempt to produce more than the means of the architects allowed.

1157. New Gothic Church as approved by the Metropolitan Church Commissioners, and now commencing in the New North Road, Islington, from the designs and under the superintendance of Messrs. W. and H. W. Inwood.-W. Inwood, H. W. Inwood, and E. N. Clifton.-An exceedingly bald elevation, showing a square naked wall for its principal front, in three divisions, the centre being carried up to form a tower. And what a concentration of talent is necessary to raise this pile! We here witness three architects conjoined in building a brick wall: a century ago one was deemed sufficient to design and execute a cathedral.

1249. Model of Christ Church, Alstone, now building in the parish of Cheltenham. R. W. and C. Jerraud.-An attempt at Gothic architecture; a genuine meetinghouse set off with a stock of pinnacles. It would be desirable to know the mode by which joint-stock productions in architecture are created. Are the designs in

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dividually the work of more than one hand? Or does the plurality of names merely denote a partnership in trade?

1085. Design selected by the Committee for the New Church to be erected on Blackheath Hill. J. W. Wild.— This is a lancet] Gothic church, the east end polygonal, situated between two towers crowned with spires; to be grand, such a design should be executed on a large scale, and with a greater degree of expense than is likely to be allowed to a church built by subscription. The design is foreign: towers in such a situation are exceedingly rare in England, and the ridge ornaments seen on the roof are in this country confined to a solitary example.

1196. The New Parish Church of St. Martin, Dorking, Surrey. W. M. Brookes. One of those structures which seems to make the antiquary the more keenly regret the loss of the older church. So much of the preceding structure as exists tends to give an ecclesiastical appearance to the pile, but the tower and transepts are marred by the long ugly body with a slated roof, which serves as the nave.

1221. Sketch of the Roman Catholic Church, proposed to be erected in St. George's Fields. J. Newman.--A cruciform design in the lancet style, with a central tower and spire; it appears to possess character in the general design, but the sketch does not show the detail sufficiently.

1226. The Church just erected at Honiton. C. Fowler.-A Norman design, but too lofty in its proportions: a plain spire is intended, but it is not yet completed.

There are but few designs in Grecian architecture; among which the most important are the following :

W.

View of the Principal Front of Downing College, Cambridge, now in Progress. W. Wilkins, R.A. View of the East India College, built at Haileybury. Wilkins, R.A.-These drawings appear to be placed in juxta position, to show how far an exceedingly common-placed design can be varied to suit two buildings, a very favourite process with modern architects. The second is the parent design; a long line of front broken by three porticoes, one in the centre of the design, the others in the wingsequidistant from the centre. The same arrangement appears in the Cambridge College, except that two lateral porticoes appertain to separate piles of buildings, and so far are in better taste. ther of the porticoes, however, occupies its right place at the extremity of the building, but all are placed against the

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side the common fault of a modern Grecian example.

In street architecture the following design is marked with originality.

1198. D'Oyley's Warehouse, 346, Strand, corner of New Wellington Street, now re-building. S. Beazley. The style of the decorations is that of the age of Louis XIV. upon the whole a bad school to follow, but in the present instance it is very well adapted to an extensive shop and warehouse.

1119. View in Albemarle Street of the new Front of the Royal Institution of Great Britain. L. Vulliamy.-A clever adaptation of the principal elevation of the Dogana at Rome to an older building: the principal variation from the original is in the division of the pilasters in the attic.

1098. An Attempt at a Polychromic Restoration of the Choragic Monument of Lysicrates. C. Vickers.-The principal restorations consist of the golden tripod raised on the beautiful finial which crowns the tholus, the volutes of which are strengthened by golden dolphins resting on the marble scrolls which still exist on the monument. Colour is applied to the frieze, and has a very pleasing effect.

1753. Sketch of a Design for a CastIron Necropolis, adapted for Churchyards or other Cemeteries. J. Gaudy, A.-We mistook it for a retort house, in some extensive gas works; packing the undistinguished dead in cast-iron pipes and laying them one upon another in rows, and those of more importance in vats and boilers, would create ludicrous sensations, and give rise to any but proper feelings.

1105. Westminster and Greenwich Railway, View of the Terminus adjacent to the foot of Westminster Bridge, Surrey side. J. D. Paine.

1218. Westminster and Greenwich Rail

way.

View of the Bridge crossing the Kent Road near New Cross. J. D. Paine. We are pretty well acquainted with both these localities, and are now writing in the latter, yet have never seen either of these objects. Why is language employed to give to structures, whose erection is extremely problematical, the appearance of a present existence?

In the old English domestic style of architecture, the following designs are the most attractive :

1068. Entrance Hall at High Cliffe, now erected for the Right Hon. Lord Stuart de Rothsay. W. J. Donthorn.

1103. Interior of the Great Hall forming part of a Gentleman's residence in Surrey, erecting under the Superinten

dence of B. Ferrey. The above are specimens of the timber, roofed halls of our old mansions: the roof of the first named consists of arched beams of oak, but more light and slender than ancient timber work; the hall is embellished with a large window of stained glass and paintings on the walls. The second example is a portion of the same design which appeared in last year's exhibition; it possesses more decidedly the character of an old hall, the principals are larger, and the smaller beams between them marked by the ornamental detail, usually met with in such situations; the windows are of the Tudor description, and the hall is furnished with an oriel. The architect does not state in what part of Surrey it is to be erected.

1070. The Rectory House, Kingsworthy, Hampshire. J. Buckler.

1074. Cossey Hall, Norfolk. J.Buckler. -The rectory house is a pleasing structure of red brick in the Tudor style of architecture; the chimnies and gables are introduced where they are required; they form, it is true, ornamental accessories, but are not merely ornaments without utility. Cossey Hall appears in one of the many points of view, in which this very picturesque mansion shows itself to so much advantage, the view comprises the magnificent oriel windows, the great tower, and the chapel. Both these structures are highly creditable to Mr. J. C. Buckler, from whose designs,

with the exception of the chapel at Cossey, both structures were erected.

The Turkish Empire illustrated, by Views of Constantinople and the Seven Churches, by Thomas Allom, Esq. With an Historical Account of Constantinople, by the Rev. Robert Walsh, LL.D. and Descriptions of the Seven Churches, by John Carne, Esq. 4to. Fisher and Son.If beauty and fidelity of graphic illustration, fulness and discrimination in historical and descriptive narration, and cheapness in price, will insure extensive patronage and popularity, "Fisher's Constantinople" must be pre-eminently successful. It is one of the most distinguished amongst the host of cheap and elegant publications of the age. It shows the boldness, the liberality, the enterprize of a London publisher, and at the same time manifests the resources within his power in the combination of literary and graphic talent. At no other period in England, and consequently in Europe, could such a work be produced as that now under notice. Combining, as it does, the most exquisite productions of the draftsman, Mr. Allom, and engravers of the first skill, with the literary essays of such a traveller and scholar as Dr. Walsh, the reader and purchaser may safely calculate in seeing a work replete with the excellencies of art and literature. It will consist of twenty-four monthly numbers, each containing four engravings, with appropriate letter-press.

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John's Coll. Oxf., formerly Anglo-Saxon Professor. 58.

The Book of the Coronation of our Liege Lady Victoria; comprising a complete Detail of the approaching Solemnity, &c. 1s. 6d.

Travels, Topography, and Architecture.

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THE ROXBURGHE CLUB.

The Roxburghe Club held their anniversary meeting on the 16th June, at Grillon's Hotel. There were presentViscount Clive, President, the Duke of Buccleuch and Queensberry, K.G., the Duke of Sutherland, Earl Cawdor, Viscount Mahon, Viscount Acheson, the Hon. Mr. Justice Littledale, the Hon. Mr. Baron Bolland, Hon. and Rev. George Neville Grenville, Sir S. R. Glynne, Bart., Benjamin Barnard, Esq., Rev. P. Bliss,

D.C.L., B. Botfield, Esq., Rev. T. F. Dibdin, D.D. V.P., H. Hallam, Esq., Rev. E. C. Hawtrey, D.D., J. A. Lloyd, Esq., J. H. Markland, Esq. Treasurer, J. D. Phelps, Esq., and T. Ponton, Esq. The President laid before the Club a proof copy of the "Gesta Romanorum," edited by Sir Frederick Madden, which will shortly be ready for distribution.

Sir S. Glynne produced a copy of the "Owl and Nightingale," a poem of the 13th century, as his contribution to the Club.

The work next to be printed by the Club will, we understand, be a republication of "Le Neve's Fasti Ecclesiæ Anglicanæ," brought down to the present time. A copy of the original work has lately been obtained by the President, enriched with a very large body of valuable manuscript notes.

UNIVERSITIES.

Oxford. The following are the successful candidates for the Chancellor's prizes for the present year, viz. :—

Latin Verse-Hannibal, patriæ defensionem suscepturus, ab Italia accitusFrancis Charles Trower, Scholar of Balliol College.

English Essay-The Tests of national prosperity considered-Thomas H. Haddan, B.A. Fellow of Exeter College.

Latin Essay-An recte dicatur caruisse veteres ea forma concilii publici qua selecti quidam pro universis statuuntur?— Wm. Dickinson, Student in Civil Law, Scholar of Trinity College.

Sir Roger Newdigate's prize-The Exile of St. Helena-Jos. H. Dart, B.A. Commoner of Exeter College.

The subject proposed to the Members of the University for the Theological prize (an English essay not exceeding the ordinary limits of recitation) is, "On the Conduct and Character of St. Paul."

Cambridge, June 8. The Porson prize (for the best translation of a passage from Shakspeare into Greek verse) was adjudged to Thomas Evans, of St. John's College. Subject,-Henry V. Act IV. Chorus, beginning

"Now entertain conjecture for a time." And ending

"His liberal eye doth give to every one, Thawing cold fear."

The Chancellor's gold medal for the best English poem was adjudged to Wm. Spicer Wood, of St. John's College;Subject, Luther.

ROYAL SOCIETY.

May 24. Francis Baily, esq. V. P. and Treasurer in the chair.-His Imperial and Royal Majesty Leopold II. Grand Duke

of Tuscany was elected a Fellow. The reading of the paper by Mr. Ivory, on the theory of Astronomical Refractions was concluded.

May 31. Davis Gilbert, esq. V. P.

Read, 1. Researches in connexion with Rotatory Motion, by A. Bell, esq. 2. An Experimental Inquiry into the appearance of Nitrogen in Plants, and its effects upon their growth, by Robert Rigg, esq. 3. Remarks on the theory of the Dispersion of Light as connected with Polarization, by the Rev. Baden Powell, M.A. F.R.S. June 14. The Duke of Sussex, Pres. Read, 1. Researches on Suppuration, by Mr. Gulliver, Assistant-Surgeon of the Horse Guards; 2. Tide Researches, ninth series, by Professor Whewell.

June 21. Mr. Baily in the chair.-Mr. Whewell's paper was continued; and the titles of the following papers were read: An Inquiry into the Medulla Oblongata, by Mr. Hilton; Experiments on the Vibration of the Pendulum, by Mr. Frodsham; Experiments on the Blood in connexion with Respiration, by Dr. Davy; on the Structure of the Teeth, &c. by Mr. Thoms; on the Evolution of Nitrogen in the Growth of Plants, by Mr. Reid; on the Action of Light on the Colour of the River Sponge, by Mr. Hogg; Experimental Researches in Electricity, 16th series, by Mr. Faraday; Researches in reference to Binocular Vision, by Mr. Wheatstone. Adjourned to Nov. 15.

LINNEAN SOCIETY.

At the anniversary, the Bishop of Norwich was re-elected President. Her Majesty has become the patroness of the Society, and has inscribed her name on a leaf of the Society's signature-book. The sign manual is written in the centre of a wreath of flowers, exquisitely painted from living specimens, by Mrs. Withers, flower-painter to the queen-dowager: the flowers comprise specimens from all parts of her Britannic Majesty's possessions. The right reverend prelate intimated that the soirées, commenced by him last season, would be continued during the next.

ELECTRICAL SOCIETY.

May 29. The first anniversary meeting took place, J. E. Johnson, esq. in the chair. The report of the committee reviewed the proceedings of the year, enumerating the papers read, and those selected to form part of the "Transactions," and congratulating the Society upon their present position and prospects. The formation of a library, and the collection of suitable apparatus, were discussed. Various donations were announced; and several new members.

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