The Sun.
London, England, 1853-10-17 00:00:00

METROPOLITAN IMPROVEMENTS.

The interior, however, is not yet finally completed—a
careful and subdued colouring of the whole being, we
are told, intended ; but already architectural pictures
and artistic groupings of features abound, assisted mate-
rially by the rich and glowing colours of the silks, vel-
vets, ribbons, &c., which compose the " stock" of the
establishment. At present the tint of the red bricks of
the facade—some 30 feet longer and 20 higher than that
of the Farnese Palace at Rome—is too vivid ; but when
toned down by a little London smoke, we shall be better
able to judge of the value of its introduction. External
polychromy remains yet a question. With regard to
the rest of the exterior, however, there need be no ques-
tion. The cornice exhibits, to our thinking, a just ar-
tistic feeling for the true style of the revived architecture
of a day now dawning. Statical, horizontal, and fenes-
tral are terms which will express its dominant elements
of composition. In conclusion we may observe that
ninety-nine buildings out of a hundred reared in Eng-
land struggle towards this species of architecture. Mr.
Knowles, in such edifices as Messrs. Cooke's warehouses
in St. Paul's Churchyard, has done a service to his art,
for he has promoted and enforced its natural tendency.
In this case the architect and the artist have manifestly
been combined.—Morning .Herald.

NEW CANNON STREET.

Although the English inability to produce fine build-
ngs is almost becoming proverbial there is no real neces-
sity for such a sentence being written against us. There
is an abundant fund of artistic power in the country,
needing only demand to exhibit itself in supply. There
is material enough to make of architecture a great art
and a noble profession. We may have in 50 years from
this time a multitude of grand buildings if the professors
of architecture will demand for themselves that protec-
tion from quakery and ignorance which a thorough
education and a legally constituted professional exami-
nation would go far to effect. There is no branch of art
so beset with impostors, there is none so neglected and
ill-understood, as this parent of all fine arts. This ought
surely no to be, and as surely need not be. A great
nation and an antique people like ourselves, whose an-
cestors have raised piles which it strikes us with rever-
ence to enter, ought to advance and not recede in its
intellectual refinement and in fine-art manifestation.
We have not the excuse of raw inexperience nor of phy-
sical difficulty. We have had an architecture in Eng-

land. We ought to have one now.
These considerations arise from the evident tendency
which architecture is exhibiting to regain her true posi-
tion, as displayed especially in the improved tone of build-
ing in the metropolitan streets. The fluctuating search _
for a standard has, it would seem, at length fixed itself
to that form and development whence it may once more A conference was recently held at Brussels, at
become an interpreter of the age. Thus in passing the invitation of the Government of the United
down New Cannon-street, which is the most advanced States of America, the object of which was to con-
and will be the most telling of the City improvements, nett a systematical and uniform plan of meteoro-
the visitor may now notice with interest and gratifica- logical observations at sea. At this conference the
tion several specimens of City architecture which would report which follows was agreed to. In The Sun
enrich any capital in Europe, and are particularly appro- of the 19th of August an account appeared of a lee-
priate in character to the imperial commerce and trans- ture on " Combined Meteorological Observation,"
actions of London. A few remarks upon the physiog-
which was delivered at Lloyd's by Lieutenant
nomy of these buildings as they necessarily occur may Maury, a distinguished officer of the United States.
not at this moment be unwelcome.
It excited a great deal of interest in the maritime
At the left-hand corner next King William-street the
world. Lieutenant Maury has devoted much at-
large pile of offices and shops, designed by Mr. Dawson,
is an important feature, the general effect of which is tendon to the subject, and has prepared various
quiet and good, although hardly imp
one angle, nor by roved by the frag- charts, from which may be ascertained what winds
meat of a fourth story perched up and currents may be expected in a given month in
at
a shop door door squeezed in at the opposite end of the any part of the ocean. The Government of the
building on the ground floor. The ranges of windows United States has given every encouragement to
are well proportioned, and as a fenestral design right the circulation of these charts, and we understand
judgment has been shown in their regular repetition, con- that some negotiations have been entered into with
trasting this erection very favourably with most of its
our Government upon the matter. The conference
neighbours. An ingeniously complex fret runs along,
at Brussels was held with the view of attracting the
as a string, at the third floor level. The building
next in order to this, for the Merchants and Trades- attention of commercial nations to the subject,
man's Life Assurance Society, has a stone front, and the report which we now publish was the re-
with columned and pedimented windows on the first suit of it :
floors, two tiers of windows—one with running archi- "In pursuance of instructions issued by the Govern-
traves' and one with coronas—and on the ground floor ments respectively named below, the officers whose
an arcade of stilted segment arches. This design offers names are hereunto annexed assembled at Brussels, for
another proof of the value of repetition, the regularly- the purpose of holding a conference on the subject of
spaced and uniformly-dressed apertures forming a suffi- establishing a uniform system of meteorological observa-
cient excellence of effect to counterbalance, or nearly so, tions at sea, and of concurring in a general plan of ob-
occasional errors of composition. Among such may be servation on the winds and currents of the ocean, with a
enumerated the insufficient importance of the cornice, and view to the improvement of navigation, and to the ac-
the coupling of its console trusses. Had this [coupling quirement of a more correct knowledge of the laws
been carried through to the windows the design had which govern those elements.
been weakened, as there are examples in New Cannon- ,' The meeting was convened at the instigation of the
street to confirm. Again, the stilted segmental arches American Government, consequent upon a proposition
of the basement have a somewhat weak effect. A which it had made to the British Government, in reply
stilted segment arch is in itself an error. The impost to a desire which had been conveyed to the United
mouldings become unmeaning. Had the window reveals States that it would join in a uniform system ofmeteoro-
been deeper, and the double-bellied ballusters removed logical observations on land, after a plan which had been
from the first• floor windows, the ensemble, we think, prepared by Captain James, of the Royal Engineers,
would have been improved. However, despite these and submitted to the Government by Sir J. Burgoyne,
things, the building, from its aggregate effect and pleas- Inspector-General of Fortifications.
ing tint, ranks decidedly among the best recent works "The papers connected with this correspondence were
in London. presented to the House of Lords on the 21st of February
The blocks of houses which follow fall very far short of last, and have been further explained in the minutes of
the buildings we have just noticed. They merely elicit the the conference. And it is here merely necessary to ob-
remark that the cornices are poor and meagre, and the serve, that some difficulties having presented themselves
window dressings feeble. In the next block to them the to the immediate execution of the plan proposed by the
staring green advertising boards are greatly to be repre- British Government, the United States availed them-
headed, vulgarising as they do the whole vicinity. Here, selves of the opportunity afforded by this correspondence
too, may be noticed the loss of effect through ill-arranged of bringing under the notice of the British Government
windows. A triple group to each house occupies the first a plan which had been submitted by Lieutenant Maury,
floor, whilst above the central opening in each case a pier of the United States navy, for a more widely-extended
runs up to the main cornice. Again, an unjudicious field of research than that which had been proposed, a
doorway in the centre of the block offends the eye by its plan which, while it would forward the object entertained
crowded and incongruous decoration. Another objet- by Great Britain, would, at the same time, materially
tion is the wide ground-floor windows, which leave the contribute to the improvement of navigation and to the
houses standing as it were upon slender pier-like posts, benefit of commerce.
which the superincumbent weight seems ready to drive "An improvement of the ordinary sea route between
into the earth. As we pass on, the same or similar distant countries had long engaged the attention of com-
faults more or less prevail, redeemed only by a general mercial men, and both individuals and nations had pro-
effect of magnitude and mass ; and even this is impaired fited by the advances which this science had made
by a particularly mean-looking little public-house, nearly through a more correct knowledge of the prevailing
opposite St. Swithin's Church. But when we reach the winds and currents of the ocean. But experience had
opening formed by the commencement of Watling-street, shown that this science, if it did not now stand fast, was
some of that improved taste meets us again, which we at least greatly impeded by the want of a more extended
have observed as an increasing element in the new Lon- co-operation in the acquirement of those facts which
don streets, Here the Minerva Life Office, designed by were necessary to lead to a more correct knowledge of
Mr. Beasely, with its circular corner of super-columns- the laws which govern the circulation of the atmosphere
tions, and its well-recessed windows, favourably occupy and control the currents of the ocean ; and that the sub-
a prominent position. At this point of the street the i ect could not receive ample justice, nor even such a
view of St. Paul's opens well, the dome and western measure of it as was commensurate with the importance
campanile terminating magnificently the line of lofty of its results, until all nations should concur in one
buildings. Beyond the Minerva Life Office, and next general effort for its perfection. But, could that happy
to it, a block of warehouses in the occupation of the event be brought about—could the observations be as
Messrs. Macintosh and Messrs. Saunders, designed by extensive as desired, and receive that full discussion to
Mr. Hague, occurs—one of the most excellent in this which they were entitled, the navigator would learn with
street, and, we may add, in London. A general effect certainty how to count upon the winds and currents in
of repose and quiet business-like expression is ob. his track, and to turn to the best advantage the experi-
tained by the simple management of a few features. A ence of his predecessors.
central mass, containing four seven-windowed stories, "Meteorological observations to a certain extent had
rises above two flanking buildings of three stories in long been made at sea, and Lieutenant Maury had turned
height, the fourth floor in these flanks being an attic and to useful account such as had from time to time fallen
purposely hidden. The ground story runs through the into his hands ; but these observations, although many
whole block as an uninterrupted rustic base, pierced by of them good in themselves, were but isolated facts,
segmental-headed windows and doors ; and are again in- which were deprived of much of their value from the ab-
stances of the value of a regular repetition of parts. On sence of observations with which they could be com-
the left-hand side of the street from Watling-street, to- pared, and, above all, from the want of a constant and
wards St. Paul's, no building can properly be said to uniform system of record, and from the rudeness of the
exceed mediocrity. At the corner of Queen-street Messrs instruments with which they had been made.
Cowan's premises call for notice, as the last yet erected "The moment then appeared to him to have arrived
on the line from King William-street, and as exhibiting when nations might be induced to co-operate in a general
originality, if not absolute beauty. system of meteorological research. To use his own words,
The most obviously-striking feature of the new street he was of opinion that the 'navies of all maritime nations
is the great sale warehouses of Messrs. Cooke, Sons, and should co-operate, and make these observations in such a
Co. These buildings rise like a rampart above the sur- manner and with such means and implements, that the
rounding houses, and form an internal arrangement of system might be uniform, and the observation made on
plan, as well as in external character of design, perhaps as board one public ship be readily referred to, and corn-
good a model for a commercial building of its gigantic pared with the observations made on board all other pub-
class as the metropolis contains. Of a magnitude com- lie ships, in whatever part of the world ; and, moreover,
parable with that of many engineering works, this pile as it is desirable to enlist the voluntary co-operation of
offers a stroj contrast to many of them in these days the commercial marine, as well as that of the military of
of scientific building. The architect has apparently con- all nations, in this system of research, it becomes not
sidered that there is a wiser economy possible than that only proper, but politic, that the forms of the abstract
of saving material to the extreme—that a building in- log to be used, the description of the instruments to be
tended to last should rather submit to quiescent weight employed, the things to be observed, with the manipula-
and pressure, than consist in the balance of opposing tion of the instruments, and the methods and modes of
strains. He has chosen and expressed in his design the observation, should be the joint work of the principal
architecture of statics rather than dynamics, and he has parties concerned.'
provided his material accordingly in masses and weights. "These sentiments being concurred in by the Govern-
The foundation of the buildings, we have been in ment of the United States, the correspondence between
formed, penetrate through more than 20 feet of made the Governments was continued, and finally each nation
soil to the natural ground level of London (in this place was invited to send an officer to hold a conference at
a compact yellow sand), below which depth they are Brussels on a given day.
continued in places where concrete could be with advan- "And that the system of proposed observation and of
tage substituted for the natural soil. Beds of concrete, combined action might become immediately available,
upwards of 10 feet in depth, sustain the weight of walls, and be extended to its widest possible field of operation,
piers, and columns, and carry it into the solid ground. it was determined to adapt the standard of the observa-
From this cone the walls rise, commencing with a tions to be made to the capabilities of the instruments
thickness of newly three feet, to thei parapet above the now in general use in the respective naval services, but
main cornice, where they terminate in a thickness of two with the precaution of having all these instruments
feet three inches, at 90 feet from the ground. The length brought under the surveillance
o parties duly appointed
of the building which hes in the direction of the length to examine them and determine their errors ; as this
of the facade is bisected by a broad aisle, so to speak, 30 alone would render the observations comparable with
feet wide, between a double arcade. On the ground each other through the medium of their respective
floor, the entrance door is placed at one end of this aisle, standards.
and looks on to the principal staircase at the other end. "The conference opened its proceedings at Brussels on
Right and left from the centre of the arcades, at right. the 23d of August, 1853, in the residence of M. Piercot,
angles with them, runs the central avenue, 170 feet the Minister of the Interior, to whom the thanks of the
long, down the length of the building. This avenue is conference are especially due.
marked out by rows of columns, leaving parallel rows-- "M. Quetelet was unanimously elected president.
also running the full length of the building—to the "Before entering upon any discussion, it was the de-
right and left of them, which leave again on each side sire of all the members of the conference that it should
a bay between themselves and the external walls, be clearly understood that in taking part in the proceed-
There are thus five avenues produced, running through ings of the meeting they did not in any degree consider
the length of the building. The central one forms a themselves as committing their respective Governments
passage-way—on each side of it much wider avenues to_ any particular course of action, having no authority
contain the selling counters and tables, and beyond whatever to pledge their country in any way to these
these the fourth and fifth avenues aro filled by tables or proceedings.“
thatoffiMacerufrYo;
desks, or left for passages, or both. The same general . "The objects of the meeting having been explained
plan is adopted on the basement ground, and on the by Lieutenant
the
ee e
n li
ghconferencetened zeal
andexpressed itsear-
remaining
first and second floors. Above the second floor level the thanks to
t she had
floors are carried round in a ring, forming a nes nes
continuous apartment following the external walls, and work which forms the subject of the deliberations of the
thus leaving a large well-space in the centre of the build- conference.
ing. This well-space is employed for lighting the four In concerting a plan of uniform observation, in which
all nations might be engaged, the
first floors, which it does by means of lantern-lights,f most obvious difficulty
arose from the variety'
transmitting their light from story to story down to the which
It is much to be of scales in use in different
basement, through well-holes cut in every floor, each countries.desired that this inconve-
sub. t
over each, round which the sale counters are fixed. This nience should be removed ; but it was a subject upon
disposition of plan is simple to a degree. All is visible which the conference, after mature deliberation, deter-
at a glance, but each department is entirely separated mined not to recommend any modification, but to leave
from the other. Thus, on entering the central door, a to each nation to continue its scales and standards as
*
Purchaser has before him the silk and velvet depart- heretofore, except with regard to thermometers,
which
meat, to the scale in Ich placed in the arcaded aisle ;on the left hand the it was agreed should,
have that of the • use in
grade placed
cotton, and on the right hand the stuff department, and any particular service, centigrade
observers in all services so on ; while from the landing of the principal staircase upon it, in order to accustom
general to
a light and elegant iron bridge spanning Little C its use, with a view to its final and adoption.
lane,
lin after-
"The advantages of concert of action between the
rc ;iiiricheacts the pile of building in St. Paul's Church-
o land and the navigator at sea were so
back of the second
st pile facing Carter-lane, built at the meteorologistlooking n
forward to the establishment of a
obvious that,
In one corner of the meteorological observation upon both
rapidly from the building esteem-lift carries goods universal . system of
hthat the consideration of scales
top to the bottom floors st pp" gat elements it was thou t
every intermediate story if , o in f
be left for that or some such
by a 6-horse-power
need be. This lift is worked could with greater propriety
The waste steam isr grasshopper engine in the basement, occasion.
conducted instruments to be recommended, the con-
ment floor, to open in pipes beneath the base- "As to the grat few as possible to such as
through the floor for
caused
inhgte under the well-holes cut ference determined to add as
but, regarding
warm air are thus caused , through which streams of were in common use in vessels of war,
importance, the
to ascend, cl• • of paramount importance, t
ahle temperature over the entire , diffusing a comfort- accuracy of observation as
of the warehouse are fir • building. At each end conference felt it to be a matter of duty to recommend
e-niaans connected instruments of barometers and
tanks and cisterns of water on the with large the adoption of accurate instru ,
ref 11 corn-
, two 70-feet coils of leather horsoeof' and on every thermometers especially that have been carefully u y
had their
pipes attached to them, are screwed on Inwtiit direction pared with recognised standards, and have.
which means an instant supply of water accurately determined • and that such instruments
main, by errors ,
may be thrown only should be used on board every man-of-war co-ope-
upon any portion of the interior, while on the roofat ' in this well board any merchant-
each end of the building are constructed tanks h • rating
of water
altogether 12,000 gallons (pumped up by the
olding man, as far as it may be racticable.
" The i f t•of instruments in use at sea is noto-
mper ec ion
..
steam-engine in the basement story), ready for perpetual '
nous. The barometer having hitherto been used prin-
or immediate supply of any kind.
It mayits
cipally as a monitor to the mariner—to warn him, by
be mentioned that this vast building was fl • '
fluctuations, of the changes in prospect—its absolute I
tions, to allow of the• •
erected in two successive Por unin- indication of pressure has been little regarded ; and
transaction of business—a work, no doubt, of makers seldom,if determined '‘
of
terrupted
considerable difficulty. The time occupied in fitting the these instruments, or, if known, still more rarely ever
we a rehend, without furnished new premises
for occupation is, pp . the corrections with the instruments them-
example
even of London build- selves.
for rapidity in the annals
been occupied in "That western half having an instrument
ing, the first or
ent, and the second error as the marine
sixteecimeelrfromrits commencement, barometer generally in use should, in
builder this of • .
The was Mr. age invention andins r
andelaivr-plit in twelve weeks.
any ship, will doubtless be p ovement, be found on board
virAyucei;"Of ScAithwark, ''s •
warehouses, prise ; and it will be
regarded hereafter with sur-
f"eigreateenumber Of the London sale wondered how an instrument so
. . important to
observe, are meteorology and .
• • -I.o4o46—neWlY erected, 'we need hardlyso useful to •
navigation
ent of , should be permitted to remain so defective t iteteientin anything like artistic arrangement
. . investigations that meteo-
build- rologists, in their con •
r. . k bUt ./tnowles,has shown in this hugeconcerning the laws of
-
by atmospheric pressure, are compelled in a
.f: liestitastfieta, highly picturesque, may be produced
~
great measure
to Omit all reference to the observations .....,
ki: tritlimil...- adjuritnaent of long-neglected mew. viugu Jamb=
ti-:!Id-Vt-TSAi ' -