The Stourbridge Observer, Cradley Heath, Halesowen & District Chronicle.
Stourbridge, West Midlands, England, 1875-03-13 00:00:00

THE NEW AQUARIUM

The Times gives the following particulars of the New
Aquarium in the course of construction in London :
Many of our readers during the last few years may
have botieed a large spot of vacant land nearly oppo-
site the Broad Sanctuary and the Westminster Palace
Hotel, which has been cleared by sweeping away a
nest of narrow courts and stables, including nearly
the whole of the north side of Tothill-street, which
though described by Hatton in 1708 as "a large
street in Westminster between Iv France (west)
and the Old Gate-house (east)," till lately a very
narrow and dirty thoroughfare. e spot, which was
the scene of many a judicial trial I battle by wager
in the Middle Ages, and an sntly of many a
duel, is now being excavated by r of men in the
employ of Messrs. Lucas, the ; contractors, for
the purpose of forming a large s Aquarium and
Summer and Winter Garden. The 1 occupies an
irregular parallelogram of nearly acres, extend-
ing from Princes-street to the u. of Dartmouth-
street, and receding to the north nearly as far as the
backs of the houses in Queen-street. At present shafts
have been sunk in three or four parts of the intended
site, in one place to the depth of abouti2sft. The men
have come, in one shaft, upcn a stratum of dark peaty
and boggy earth; in another upon a clear yellow sand,
which clearly shows traces of the action of water,
proving that one of the channels of a river or brook
ran this way into the Thames, so as to form the Island.
of Thorney, on which the Abbey is built. The,dimen-
along of the aquarium as designed by Mr.)'.A.-Bed-
borough, the architect, of Abingdon street, West-
minster, will be about 600 f t. long by 240 ft. in depth at
the widest part. The building will be in the classical.
style, constructed of red brick and Portland stone,
with an arched roof of glass, similar in general plan to
that of the Crystal Palace, though widely different in
its details. It will be two stories in height, and will
contain in the basement a great central tank of
salt and fresh water, holding no less than 600,000
gallons; this will be kept in constant motion, and
made to pass continually through a series of
smaller tanks, by the action of a steam engine des-
tined to work both day and night. As all the working
machinery will be in duplicate, there can be little fear
of any accident occurring which would cause a cessa-
tion of this action. It is confidently expected by the
incessant action of machinery, the salt water—which
in the first instance will have to be carried to West-
minster in small tanks by rail and by barge—will
be kept fresh for ten years, even if not renewed by I
additional supplies from time to time. It is stated as
la matter of- fact and experience, that the salt water
n the tanks of the Aquarium at Hamburg is found
to be quite pure at the of twelve or thirteen
years. On the ground at the eastern end
will be a large vestibule or ante-chamber, to be called
"the Front Room," leading to V Central Hall or
Promenade. It will contain a 3of table tanks
to hold the smaller fish, zoophytes, sea-
anemones, &c. In the Promenae -which will be 475 ft.
long, will be ranged seats for tors, groups of ,
statuary, and two large four i Flower-beds will'
divide it from the aquarium in what may be
called the side aisles, and creep( evergreens will
be trained up the columns. 'I ascent to the first-
floor galleries will be by stai similar in plan to
those at the Crystal Palace. In the galleries of the
Promenade will be refreshment buffets and other stalls,
and probably a collection of pictures, and other speci-
mens of the Fine Arts. The gallexies of the "Front
Room') will be so contrived as to accommodate about
twenty separate dining rooms ' for large or small
parties. in the upper :floor, over the two Tothill-
street entrances, there will be billiard and smoking
rooms. On the north side of the hall will be an organ
and a large orchestra, 60ft. wide by 40ft. deep, capable
of containing a thousand performers; and it is intended
that it shall be used for concerts twice daily—in the
afternoon and in the evening. It will be surrounded
by -galleries, in which will be every accommodation
for visitors, stalls for the sale of.articlese &c. At the
western end, close to the cc of Dartmouth-street
will be a smaller concert hall, suitable for musical en-
tertainments, of a more select kind. It may be added
that the entire roof will be of glass, arched like that
of the Crystal Palace, but ce :3ted on a plan quite
different from the ridge and furrow aystem of Sir
Joseph Paxton, no putty or c composition being
used to cement it.-
In connection with the main building there will be
rooms for private concerts for the deer of
Popular lectures, or matters relating to science
and to other-subjects of general interest. 11,
be so arranged that it can be engaged. by artistic,
literary, and private societies, for the purpose of meet-
ings, conversaziones, &c. A reading and writing room
and a libnery will also be opened for the use of visitors
and subscribers. Throughout the season flower shows,
fancy fetes, &c., will be oreimiged in the Central Hall;
a Picture and Fine Art will also be opened,
and we understand that to te:- department offers of
art treasures en loan. from sntial quarters have
already been made. •
The eiperience already ge in the construction
and management of the aqua already in operation
at Hamburg, at Brighton, and at Manchester will no
doubt be fully utilized • and there can be no reason
why the aquarium at Westm;nster should not become
as great an attracti ai in London-super-Thames as it
has already proved to be at London-super-Mare, more
especially as its situation, close to two stations of the
Underground Railway and to two or three lines of
omnibuses, makes it as central as it well could be
for visitors to the West-end. As soon as the
foundations have been dug out by the relays of
workmen now employed, it is intended to lay the
first stone of the building. This ceremony will be
performed towards the end of the present month
or early in the next,'- and due notice will be given of
the day.. The list of the Cbuncil of Fellows includes
the names of the Prince of Leiningen, the Duke of
Newcastle, Prince Soltykoff, Lords Clarendon, Mayo,
Ranfurly, Rosslyn, Talbot de Malahide, March,
Anglesey, Downe, Aylesford, Clonmell, Dupplin,
De L'lsle, °Arington, Westmoreland, and Kilmarnock,
the Barons Ferdinand and Alfred de Rothschild, Sir
Jules Benedict, Sir Charles Legard, Sir Frederick
Johnstone Lord Bury, Lord Londesborough, &c.
I There will also be an executive committee, consisting
of seven working members, all men of practical ex-
perience in such matters; and the secretary is Mr,
Bruce Phillips, a son of the late Dr. Samuel Phillips,
whose name is well known in connexion with the
literature of the Crystal Palace at Sydenham.

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