The Sun.
London, England, 1863-11-05 00:00:00

Royal Institute of British Architects.

The session of the above institute was opened on
, b
Monday evening, the 2d instant
an address from
the President, Mr. T. L. Doena moysoeri;
nwhen there
was a large attendance of members associates.
The learned Professor remarked that within
the
met,
events months that had elapsed since they last
events had occurred which were interesting to them
et,
as a body and as individuals, and he should pass t
brief review some of the more important topics l
con-
nected with their profession. It was due to the
great man who had recently passed away from them
(the late Mr. C. R. Cockerel!), the first professional
President of the Institute, and to whom the first
gold medal was a ;yarded, to notice some of his (the
President's) own impressions during an intimacy
and personal friendship of 40 years. He then gave
a graphic sketch of the professional career of Mr.
Cockerell, from the early days of his travels in
Greece, Italy, and Turkey, to the close of a long life
of ardent devotion to his profession, and referred
to the principal works with which the name of that
gentleman was associated. It might truly be said
that architecture was his delight. In him the
young architect always found an encouraging
monitor, ever ready to assist and develop latent
talent. A more complete biography of their late
friend was in course of preparation, and would be
brought before the members at an early period of
the session. With the gracious concurrence of
the Dean of St. Paul's their esteemed friend was
buried with the great and noble of the land ; and
whatever might be the little jealousies of practical
life, as architects they must feel proud that they
had a Barry in Westminster Abbey, and a Cockerell
in St. Paul's. Tho president then proceeded to pay
a tribute of respect to the late Mr. Joseph G wilt,
though not a member of the institute at the time of
his decease, and mentioned that he was consulted
by the Government in the re-modelling of the
Building Act of 1853-54. He then went on to re-
mark that one of the most important proceedings of
the institute during the recess had been the steps
taken by them in opposition to the proposed pur-
chase of the Exhibition building of 1862 by the
nation. As soon as notice was given that it was
the intention of the Government to apply to Parlia-
ment for a grant of money for the purchase of the
building, and for a still larger sum for the purpose
of converting it into a national museum, the council
of the institute 'convened a special meeting of the
members and fellows, at which a committee was
appointed to report upon the subject'. That com-
mittee made a thurough examination of the building
and drew up a well-digested and important report,
and pronounced their opinion that whilst the struc-
ture might have satisfactorily fulfilled the specific
objects for which it was designed, it would be most
unwise to attempt to convert it into a permanent
structure, for which it was not designed. This judg-
ment of the highest professional body in the country
was irresistible, and was endorsed by the House of
Commons, who rejected the proposal by an over-
whelming majority. The learned president then
touched upon the subject of architectural education,
and remarked upon the absence in this country of
any recognised system of education applicable to
that profession. The student in architecture was
for the most part left to his unguided experience,
gleaned in the office of his employer, where he only
became familiar with the works that were there
carried out. They had not in this country as yet
the atelier of the professor, as was the case in France,
where also there were periodical competitions in
the schools of architecture. Tho disadvantages
under which students laboured were sought to be
in some degree obviated by this institute in the
establishment of the voluntary architectural exa-
mination in which the branches of study were pre-
scribed, as also the steps to be attained to gain dis-
tinction. These examinations, he said, afforded to
young men the true idea of their power of weak-
nesses—if they failed, they must work to obtain
the know edge in which they were deficient ; for it
was better they should be taught their weaknesses
in early life than deserve them in later years
Hby
disastrous failure in their professional objects, e
trusted next January to see students come to the
examinations with as much zeal as was the case upon
the last occasion, and in undiminished numbers.
flaying passed a warm eulogium upon the talents of
Brunel, Stephenson, and Barry in their respective
spheres, the president proceeded to take a
general review of the progress of profes-
sional publications in this country, particularly
illustrated works on architecture, during the last
few years. Ho next referred to the scale of profes-
sional charges which had been drawn up by the
institute, remarking that this had been dune as
much for the protection of the employer as the em-
ployed, and for the honour of their profession any
question with respect to these charges ought to be
liberally interpreted in favour of the employer ; and
as they had founded that scale, on no other ground
should it be regarded as authoritative or conclusive
on such a question. The president then referred
with satisfaction to the fact that the Metropolitan
Board of Works had acceptedatender of over half
Thames a million of money for the Embankment
from Westminster to Waterloo-bridge, and were
taking steps for the same wort,. from the Temple to
131ackfritirs. It was presumed hat the same would
be done with the south side ; and when that great
work was carried out, it would present an aspect of
magnificence worthy of the metropolis of this great
empire. Referring to the railway bridges across
the streets, he regretted that artistic taste had been
so much sacrificed to the convenience of the public,
and these bridges might be characterised as hideous
masses of utilitarian skill. Alluding to street im-
provements, it was to be regretted that a parsimo-
nious spirit in too many cases, both in London and
other large cities, prevented these improvements
being carried out upon a commensurate scale, and it
had come to be a question of a
pounds whether a new street should he i 0 or
fow thousands
soof
feet in width. After referring to the subject of the
dwellings of the poor in the metropolis, the. learned
professor concluded with a glowing peroration upon
architecture.
A vote of thanks wasp assed, on the proposal of
Mr. Gilbert Scott,
by Mr. Rigby Wyatt.
THE VINTATES OF GERMANY AND THE PENIN-
orts from Spain and Portu-
SULA.—The vintage rep
gal ate the Inofit favourable that have beneny
c received for
man ears—the
best probably
easeyth© since
aboutthttttiaheset
Caineeoriio this s l di
i itne
as the potato crop gaye th
e
price s
yythe oidiura, attacked
way. the grape,
Yet the fof wine is steadily rising. This year's port is like
the vintages that used to be iu days of old—rich and u
abun-
dant; but it will be long before it can affect the
price of
what we set upon our table. The German vintage
is a
failure in quality—no better than that of 1.860,