The Sun.
London, England, 1852-03-22 00:00:00

TUE

THE CRYSTAL PALACE.
TO THE EDITOR ter TILE TIMES.
Sir,—The Government and the Royal 'Commission
have decided to allow the contract under which the
Crystal Palace was constructed to take its course. In
accordance therewith the building will shortly be pulled
down. We feel that a structure of the kind, .novel in
its design, and which has excited the unqualified ad-
miralion of the whole world, is adapted for many pur-
poses of public instruction and recreation, and ought to
be presurved. The extensive uses to which so largo a
covered space might be adapted are well illustrated in
the evidence of Mr. ,Cola
_and . Mr. .Dilke before
the Commission on the subject
_appointed by the
Lords of the Treasury; but in the report of., that
Commission the objection is taken, founded on a fla-
grant misconception of Sir Joseph Paxton 's evidence,
that it would be possible to construct a new building ,
better adapted for a winter garden at less cost than
would bo required to r, nder the Crsytal Palace perma-
nent, and to adapt it to Slr Joseph's plan. We have no
hesitation in saying that this is a monstrous mistake,
and that if the present structure is thrown away it is
simply a wanton destruction of 160,000/. worth of pub-
lic property, which is not likely to be replaced, except
under an am,:unt of excitement equal to that which pro-
duced the Gr-at Exhibition. Tne building can only
no, he preserved by a manifesta ion of public opinion in
its favour; tat,d that the most ample opportunities for
that purpose may be afforded we shall for the text week
throw open the doors to all visitors free of charge. We
leave the fate of the building to this finial court of appeal,
confident that if our views are sound they will yet be
carried into effect.
We are, Sir, your most obedient servants,
Fox. HENDERSON, AND CO.
8, New- street, Spring gardens. Marco 20.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.
Sir,—At last the port of the Commissioners ap-
pointed to inquire into the cost and applicability of the
Exhibition Building is published, but mot until the Go-
vernment had first di dared its decision, which.seems to
have b. en made without reference to the opinion which
the public may form on the soundness and impartiality
of the report. It may be only an accident, bat still
there is an aspect of some mat ceavring in this result, as
it public opinion were dreaded. We may look, perhaps,
for explanations when Mr. Heywood's,rootion is made
next Thursday for a Select Committee "to consider the
expediency of removing Knightsbridge Barracks, and
the improvement of Hyde-park, in connexion with the
application of the Crystal Palace to the purpose of pub-
lic instruction and recreation.'

By jurntling expenstls together, the Commissioners
make Sir Joe, ph Paxton. say, in their report; that the
purchase of she building, and the conversion of it into a
winter garden, would cost 150,000/4 and that for this
sum he could put up a much finer and more appropriate
structure.

Iu the first place, the Commissioners have exaggerated
Sir Joseph Paxton's estimate by 7,0001. (see question
376); next, the Commissioners are not candid enough to
say that 52.0001. of this estimate are chiefly .for.expenses
which would be common to any building for a winter
garden, such as warming, walks, heating apparatus, &c
The fact is, that the budding, which has cost the public
above 190,0001 may be purchased for less than 65,000/.
and would require an outlay of 26,000/. to put in tho-
rough repair. So that a total of 92,0001. would not only
purchase this building for a winter garden, but be the
means of economising a projected outlay of at least
200,000/. for additional buildings at the Brilials Museum.
These facts, I have no doubt, will be proved before Mr.
Hey wood's Committee, unless; his motion is burked by
Protectionists, led by Colonel Sibthorp, who always dis-
liked the Exhibition.-1 am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Z.