The Express.
London, England, 1865-06-09 00:00:00

SIR JOSEPH PAXTON.

A nuns which the public has for many years
associated Kith works that have ministered to its
delight passes to-day into the obituary. Sir Joseph
Paxton, the creator of the first sod second Crystal
Palaces, died yesterday, at his residence, Rock-
hills, Sydenham, after a somewhat protracted ill-
ness.

Sir Joseph Paxton was born at Milton Bryant,
Bedfordshire, in 1803, and received his educe-
tion at the Free School of the neighbouring town of
Woburn. His parents were in circumstances which
made it desirable that their son should become
self-
supporting as soon as possib!e, and at an early age
he began to learn gardening. Having acquired
much skill in this calling he obtained enr.
ploymeut at the Duke of Devonshire's seat
at Chitwick. The Duke, a man of discernment
and liberality, perceived the young man's
merit and capacity, sod removed him to Chats-
worth, appointing him to a post of increased re-
sponsibility. Here his oareor was one of continual
advancement, until be rose to be director of the
extensive gardens and grounds of that noble seat,
and subsequently manager of the Duke's vast Der-
byshire estatea Duriug this period the most ex-
tensive works were executed, and Chatsworth
underwent a transformation which made it the
most magnificent residence in England. The
grand conservatory at Chatsworth, entirely the
work of Mr. Paxton, far exceeded in size anything
previously constructed for a similar purpose,
coveriug nearly an acre of ground ; it was much
admired for its simplicity and beauty, and was the
first building in which the ridge and furrow ar-
rangement of the glanaroof was employed for the pur-
oose of facilitating a rapid discharge of rain water.
Forty miles of sash bar were required for the conser-
vatory, the whole of which was manufactured by a
machine of Mr. Paztou'r own invention. The
great works in which he was thus engaged brought
him into intercourse with eminent artists, archi-
tects, and engineers, so that he had thus acquired a
considerable reputation when he came before the
public just as the Building Committee of the Great
Exhibition of 1851 had got into a position of help-
lessness, having rejected 233 designs which had
been sent in for their inspection, and then produced
one of their own is every respect unsuitable. At
this conjuncture Mr. Paxton proposed a plan which
was at once recognised as admirable in its adapta-
tion to the purposes of the proposed building,
and which was adopted amidst general applause.
The design was carried out under Mr. Paxton's
superintendence, and while its novelty and beauty
surprised and pleased the public, competent judges
declared that the work showed great constructive
ability. The value of this design and Mr. Paxton's
other services in connexiou with the Great Exhi-
bition was recognised by the Queen, who, in 1851,
conferred on him the honour of knighthood.: When
the Crystal Palace Company was formed the di-
rectors naturally bad recourse to him, and he was
requested not only to revise the plan of the Crystal
Palace and adapt it to the purposes of a permanent
institution, but the extensive grounds were placed
at his disposal to be laid out according to his taste.
As director of the garden and park be bad here a
finer opportunity than any private estate could offer
for the exercise of the art which bad been so con-
spicuously displayed in the gardens and terraces,
the fountains and the waterworks at Chatsworth.
Never before in England bad the capabilities of
landscape gardening been displayed on so grand a
scale, or with so complete a success.
After the completion of the Crystal Palace, Sir
Joseph Paxton was invited by Baron James
Rothschild to design a costly mansion, which has
since been erected fur him at Ferrieros, in France.
He became connected also with various enterp'ises
of utility, including several railroads. In 1854 he
was elected member for Coventry without opposi-
tion. Not long since be notified to his supporters
his intention not to seek their suffrages at the
approaching election. He was a Fellow of the
Horticultural and lineman Societies, and the
author or editor of numerous horticultural and
botanical works.

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