The Express.
London, England, 1855-02-03 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, SATURDAY ETENING, FEBRUARY 3,18 U.

No better teat of the interest taken in this exhibi-
tion could sagely be afforded than that which the crowded
meeting of architects and amateurs of art, held at the
Galleries, Is Seffolk-etrest, on Wednesday evening last,
gave post of the Wean severity of the weather halm
even to oppose a cheek to the interest manifested to-
wards the *abject by the softer sex, of whom a large
prepense greed this Neu of art with their presence.
Although we gave a lengthened notice of this exhibition
in ear impression of the 26th of December, we cannot !s-
-kein from &acing at • few of the works upon the walls,
as well as at these saluted expressly for the Convensznee ;
and if blame will mix with praise, it is not that we delight
in censure, bat that we are bound to duty. Albeit, we do
not commend Mr. Conn Stone for the manner in which
he has drawn the " Old Gateway, Strada Santa Croce,
Reggio," we applaud his choice of subject. The composi-
tion of this gateway is very effective, and although composed
of few parts, possesses great variety; it is well worthy of the
attention of We architectural student. Mr. Jams Edmiston
exhibits a clock tower for Geelong, very ingeniously con-
structed In cast iron. Noe. 44, 55, and 64, the first being a
design for a Royal Academy, and the two last designs foe
a National Gallery, and a national institution of line arts,
exhibit throe stages of a vice in architectural composition,
viz., that of • too prodigal use of columns. The flint of
these deeirtipresents this defect in its most simple hem,that
of a redundancy of columns—hence monotony of effect, de-
spite the richness of the materials. No. 64, in addition to
too profuse a display of the most ornate feature which sr.
chitecture has in store, and which on that very account
should be used sparingly, presents us with columns grouped
in pairs, without there being the slightest motive for adopt.
ins so objectionable a columnar arrangement—no windows
or openings occurring in the walls to interfere with a jut
proportion of interoolumniation. In No. 66, this weak and
meretricious disposition of columns is aggravated, the de-
sign in question offering—besides innumerable pain of co-
lumen and pilasters—a portico of eight pairs of columns.
We hope never to see such vagaries as these again,
even on paper. In the words of Militia, we say to
the authors of these designs, " Yens dispendio a pas
studio." Yes, gentlemen, fewer columns and more thought.
Whether Mr. E. B. Lamb exhibit designs of his own, or
views of buildings, he invariably displays good taste and
great artistic: skill ; this gentleman's design for "A resi-
dence to be erected near Kingston-on-Thames" is very
elegant; and "The Bay Window on the east side of the
Quadrangle, Hospital St. Cross, Hampshire," of which be
has given • careful view, is a charming composition.
No. 102, " View of the Buildings on the Mound at Rim
road, on the Tigris, restored by James Fergusson." This
small unpretending drawing affords a valuable lesson in
designing architecture. The forms, although simple, are
so well deftest and so admirably @minuted, as to impart
the utmost life and vigour to a composition the sublimity
of which exalts whilst captivating the thoughts of the
spectator. Albeit we are not wedded to the particular
style of architecture displayed in this design, we most
readily assent to the principles upon which the latter is
based, and gladly would we have witnessed proofs of the
same unerring principles guiding the architect of the new
senatorial palace at Westminster, especially in that portion
of the costly structure fronting the Tharess,where the oppor-
tunity of realising something of the sublime character of Mr.
Fergusson's retoration seemed to present itself. How forcibly
does Collins' fine appeal to the spirit of ancient music apply
to the subject of modern architecture :
Ms said, end I believe the tale,
Thy simplest reed could more prevail.
Badman of truth, diviner rage
Than all that charms this laggard am
0 bid our vain endeavours cease !
No. 132. " Building containing rooms for the Artists'
Society, erected is Edward-place, Langham-place," is bald
and ponderoin-looking, but little calculated, one would
think, to inspire the tenants with artistic ideas; we are at
a less to know why artists should be lodged in so jail-like a
looking structure. No. 136. " Design for a Town Hall, by
J. Murray," is a very good composition in the medieval
style, very foreign in appearance, and cleverly sketched.
The simple, bold character of the ground story is to be
admired, imparting as it does an air of stability to the
building. No. 227. " Design for Carriage and Side
gates, with enriched stone piers, suitable for a park ea.
nano.," is not to our taste, the general outline of the
somposition being of • very clumsy character, and the
detail of the ornamental iron-work ponderous in the ex-
treme. We should like to see Mr. C. Human's " Design
foe a new system of Street Architecture" occasionally
adopted, believing it to be well adapted to the requirements
of the age, and also calculated to produce an agreeable
variety in the general effect of our street architecture. Mr.
J. D. Wyatt has contributed a very valuable collection of
mesenred drawings of St. Michel church, Coventry.
There are several designs besides thou which we have
cited as possessing merit, in which much taste and Inge.
nuity is design are evinced, as well as skill in drawing.
The committee had provided with great discernment and
liberality for the instruction and entertainment of the visL
ton to their " Convenazione," there being a profusion of
works upon the tables, and in portfolios, in the shape of
books, models, and drawings, most of which possessed great
interest, in an artistic and antiquarian point of view. The
greatest cariosity in the room was a block model—exhibited
by Mr. J. Ferguson—of one of Nebuchadnessar's temples,
very recently discovered Lear Babylon. It la built of
brick, in seven receding stages or platforms, according
to the number of the planate in the Ptolemaic system. The
last stage but one was vitrified externally, and this has
tended to the preservation of the entire fabric. The seventh
or uppermost stage is a cell In which the priests offered
sacrifice, the people assisting at the c'remony occupying the
various platforms beneath, which latter were connected by
flights of steps. It is interesting to learn that Colonel
Rawlinson—to whose survey the temple of Mr. Ferguson
is indebted for the data on which to found his model—has
lately removed the corner stones of several of the stages,
and has found deposited therein a statement, on parchment,
to the effect that King Nebuchadnezzar restored the said
temple, the erection of which had been originally under.
taken 1,100 years before Christ.
Ws observed several very artistically executed sketches,
by Mr. Ruskin, of fragments of buildings, examples of the
peculiar style of art which that gentleman appears so to
idolise. For truthfulness of character, as well as for bold-
epee of handling, and thoroughly artistic effect, the sketches
of Italian scenery by the Rev. Mr. Pettit, may, we think,
compare with any works of a similar character, by whom-
soever executed. Mr. Ashpitel, lately returned from Italy,
contributed some valuable acquisitiou in the shape of draw-
ings and paintings, which he had made in the land of art.
With so much that was attractive, and so many pen=
sent capable of appreciating the intellectual feast
for them, it seems unnecessary to say that the convenatiseel
meeting was prolonged until a late hour. The slut ef this
exhibition annually repeated, and yearly growing is merit,
will be to awaken an interest to architecture now slumbering
in the paths: mind, "a consummation devoutly to be
wished.' To public apathy respecting matters architectural
may, we think, be chiefly ascribed our numerous short-
comings under this head. For rightly dealing with questions
involving the salubrity and beauty of oar metropolis, and
the architectural character of our cities geaerally, we must
look to education upon the subject amongst the public, and
since no plan can so readilf effect this as the establishing of a
boisofide architectural exhibition, the undertaking has our
hearty sympathies and best wishes.—Daly News.

OS AT

COURT OF QUERN'S
I aTITICOS AT MU PIM AT ITTITEDISI

a.
LI LOW

_
OAIMILL. AND L MAUL JIM.
VIE QUINN ON TER PROSECUTION OP ALRILLIMI
'4:11•01/T ►LLITNI V. IGNATIUS FRANCIS COTLI.-
LIAO= PRIL/UIT. _

This was aa ladielment for perjury. alleged to have been
committed by the defoliant as a witness on the prosecution
isetitutod by Deptais Robert Blair Kennedy against Jute.
Holder Allem, Alemader M.Geachy Alleys., and Tho-
mas Doppiag Batiemasa Darcy (who has since died) for a
conspiracy to &baud him of a sum of 7,3001., of which they
were all rely.
The Atlnesey-Gemeal, Mt. Temple, sad Mr. Buddleston,
were cutansi la support of the prosecution; Mr. Edwin
James sad Mr. Hawkins for the defendant.
A peat Rad of evidence was adduced for the prosecution,
and Fdr. Edwin Jammu then addressed the jury for the de-
fendant. As the cue had not concluded when the court
rue, at six o'clock, we reserve our report, the mason for
which will be obvious from the nature of the allegations
against the defendant.

COURT OF COMMON PLEAS.-FEB. 2.

AND ♦ 0011110/0 INST.

ttiILIPITICI CILOWDI

XWl$ (ix IXYANT) I. cOID3RY.-PAISI

The plaintiff in this case is a youth, 18 years of age, and
is the son of • greengrocer at Bargewater. The defendant
is a carpenter, in business in the same neighbourhood ; and
the action was brought to recover damages for false impri-
sonment, the plaintiff having been given into custody upon
the charge of having committed an unnatural offence.
Mr. &meat Shea and Mr. Lush appeared for the plain-
tiff; and Mr. Berjeant Byles and Mr. Prentice for the de-
fendant.'
There were two defences; one that the plaintiff bad not
been given into charge by the defendant, but by his ap-
prentice, Walker; and the other, that the plaintiff had in
feet committed the crime with which he had been charged.
The details were of course unfit for publication.
The jury was of opinion that the defendant had not given
the pliuntiff in custody, and so a verdict wu entered for the
defendant.