The Sun.
London, England, 1824-03-02 00:00:00

TRAORDINARY.

" I accordingly consulted 111 r. and examined with
him the state of the two piers, (called columns in the resolu-
tions) and inspected the securities he had provided, preparatory
to taking down, and re-building them. If it were necessary to
take down the piers, the means which Mr. Garbett has adopted
to secure the building could not be more judicious; but it is
not, in my opinion, necessary to take them down, or advisable
to attempt it; the masonry above the springing of the arches
does not appear to have given way, but continues to be sup-
ported by those stones of the pier which are yet sound, assisted
by the core of rubble work within. I therefore recommend
that they be not disturbed. The piers do not seem to have
sunk, which implies that the foundations are sound."
The Report, from which the foregoing is extracted, having
been put into the hands of the Dean and Chapter's Surveyor,
together with the plan to which it referred, he found that he
must have been much mistaken in what he understood to have
been the Extraordinary Surveyor's observations respecting the
preparation made in the Cathedral on the 22d of October, as he
had not, before the Report was read, the slightest idea that the
significant iv was impending, and ready to crush him with a
weight equal to that from which he had relieved the disabled
pillars. Ile did not, however, feel inclined to question the con-
sistency of the Surveyor Extraordinary, and much less was he
' disposed to be flattered into passive compliance, by a compli-
ment rendered worse than nugatory, by the succeeding sentence
in the notable Report of the Surveyor Extraordinary.
It will be easily conceived that the Chapter Surveyor could
not have read the Report of the Surveyor Extraordinary without
a considerable degree of surprise, and that he must have felt
it incumbent on himself to refute the injurious, and, in his opi-
nion, illiberal insinuations it contained. In accordance with
such a feeling, and as the first step towards the accomplishment
of so desirable an object, he presented to the Dean, and Chap-
ter a paper, describing " the circumstances and considerations
which induced " him to form, and still induce him to adhere
to, an opinion not quite in unison with that of the respecta-
ble and high authority with which it would have been so de-
sirable to him to have concurred."—He also conceived it pro-
per to state, that when, from deference to the suggestions
of the Dean and Chapter, as well as from an earnest desire that
the work intrusted to his care should lie proceeded upon with
every possible precaution, he recommended a reference to other
professional advice, he was most fully persuaded, that the opi-
nion he had formed upon the important object would have
been confirmed ; but although lie had been disappointed in
that expectation, he trusted that the Rev. Body would have
believed, that he would not have persisted in his former opi-
nion, if any light had been thrown upon the subject to con-
vince him that he had formed that opinion upon erroneous
grounds, and he could not but lament the necessity which im-
posed upon him the unpleasant task of controverting a different
opinion. In stating his reasons for persisting in his former opi-
nion of the state of the interior part of the failing pier, he found
it necessary to observe, that although the masonry of the arches,
and what was immediately supported by them, did not appear
fractured or displaced, yet that circumstance, while the base
did not appear to have sunk, and while the space between the
base and capital was absolutely diminished, had strongly
operated upon his mind in producing the conviction, that the
had well
dclolfor if the
natsinthue casing
edtor
cos fi
stth et pier,he
pressure had gi
imposedwa y;
upon it,
while the masonry surrounding it yielded in every direction, lie
ccoorree,
conceived there would have been good reason to believe, that
some defect must have appeared in the arches ; and he was quite
satisfied that a sinking of the core, sufficient to account for the
bulging of the casing, might have happened without producing
any perceptible effect upon the arches.
The Surveyor to the Dear. and Chapter having discover-
ed that' the precaution he used in securing the outward
wall of the fabric, was particularly censured as useless and ex-
travagant, he found it necessary to state, in hit explanatory
Report, that the outer face of that wall had an inclination of
six inches from the perpendicular, in the height of twelve feet,
while it was found that the inner face.. inclined only half an
inch in the same directidri ;* by:which. it appeared, that the ac-
cient part of the wall had an inclination of five inches, and
half from the perpendicular, at the time when Bishop Wyke-
ham made - his addition upon it, in.,thefourtedith century—a
circumstance which-the Surveyor to the Dean and Chapter trust-
ed would justify the precaution he, need to. fortify-that wall
against the effects of any additional pressure.or concussion to
which it might have Been' expilsed during the.progreu of the
repairs within.
The Surveyor to the Dean ;rid -Chapter also conceived it his I
duty (considering the circumstance under-which he was placed)
to express, in writing, his opinion-of the inefficapy of-the plan
of repair recommended by the Surveyor-Extraordinary ; and
he did not hesitate to predict verbally, that 'a certain part of
that plan ,would be found - impracticable if -attempted to be
carried into execution.(l,4 •-.,
While the Surveyor of the Dean and Chapter was thus en.
deavouring to prove that his, proceedings were indispensably
necessary, a rumour was circulated beyond the immediate vici-
nity of Winchester, that an unnecessary expenee had been in-
curred, of several hundred pounds, in erecting scaffolding for
the repair of defects in the Cathedral, which a more able archi-
tect had pronounced to be of an unimportant nature ; from this
it was inferred, that the expence had been incurred upon a mere
scaffolding ofyoles and planks, for facilitating the ordinary ope-
rations of workmen, instead of an effective frame of substan-
tial timber, calculated to sustain the weight which had abso-
lutely crushed the massive pillars originally destined for its
support, and also to counteract the complicated pressure of the
arches composing the ponderous vaulting of the nave and
aisles. At this period some curiosity was excited in the neigh-
bourhood, to ascertain whether it was the intention of the Sur-
veyor Extraordinary to remove the preparation which he had
considered unnecessary, but such a measure was prudently
avoided, except in a very slight degree, which will be hereafter
noticed ; and at this period, also, it was intimated to the
Dean and Chapter Surveyor, by persons whose rank in
society entitle their opinion to consideration and respect, that
his reputation must be affected by the issue of the question
upon which lie was so decidedly at variance with higher pro-
fessional authority; in consequence of this, it was his inten-
tion, at his own expence, to have referred the point to the de-
cision of another Architect, which he proposed to have done in
the following terms :
Winchester, 31st Jan. 1022.
SIR—In consequence of a difference in opiniortbetween my-
self, as Surveyor to the Dean and Chapter of Winchester Ca.
thedral, and a gentleman who has been consulted professionally,
respecting an important repair necessary to he undertaken in
that fabric, I am anxious, on my own account, to obtain some
further and competent professional opinion upon the same sub-
ject : if, therefore, you can conveniently undertake a journey to
Winchester, the earliest day you could name would be most
agreeable to me.

The question at issue arises from the failure of two principal
piers between the nave and south aisle of the Cathedral.; and
the points upon which I am desirous of being favoured with
your opinion are, first, whether any repair of such a nature
ought to be proceeded upon, without previously taking more
than ordinary precaution to support and preserve the equili-
brium of the superincumbent parts of the structure : secondly;
whether the precautions that have been adopted are proper and
sufficient for those purposes : and, thirdly, which would be the
most efficient of two different plans proposed, for the restora-
tion of the failing piers.
I shall feel much obliged by an early line, if you can appoint
a day to be here, that I may keep clear of any other engage-
ment on that day.
I am, Sir, your most obedient humble servant,
WM. GARBETT.

This was intended to have been addressed to an architect of
first-rate eminence in London ; but the measure was aban-
doned, after consultation with friends, who urged its inutility,
with the just observation, that a judgment could not then be
formed upon fair grounds, because the pier had been probed,
by direction of the Surveyor Extraordinary, to an extent that
the most daring hand would not have hazarded, before the se-
curities were erected. The real fact is, that, under this opera-
tion, a great quantity of loose materials, and perished mortar,
amounting to more than a cart load, fell from the pier, and dis-
closed what afterwards proved to be a fallacious appearance
of interior solidity. This experiment fortunately was not
made before all danger was prevented of the consequences
that might have ensued, in the absence of proper precaution ;
but a discovery was thereby supposed to be made, which was
hailed as a confirmation of the opinion of the Su•rveyor.Extra-
ordinary, that a large portion of the pier still remained unin-
jured ; and this supposition furnished a plausible sort of ground
for re-asserting, in opposition to the opinion of the Chapter
Surveyor, that the defects in the outer masonry or casing of the
pier were only occasioned by the intermediate' loose rubble
pressing against it, and that the central portion remained
sound,,,anttadequate to the support of the•immense weight of
the superstructure.

0)3 the other hand, the Chapter Surveyor could not be in-
duced to adopt such a proposition, because, in doinkso,.
•raustliave admitted that a body infe'zioriti magnitude,. as well

as in specific gravity, possessed power to displace a body supe
nor in both those qualities, without impulsive agency; wklch
appeared to him absurd. The Chapter Surveyor, therefore per-
sisted in his former opinion, that the bulging of the regular
masonry forming the casing of the pier, could not have been
occasioned merely by the tendency of a comparativelY
small portion of loose or imperfectly cemented rubble to
expand laterally from the simple effect of gravity, unless that
tendency had been accompanied by some defect in the.central
part or core of the pier. (2)
The Chapter Surveyor having thus stated the conflicting oPi'
nions, and the reasons by which he, was, influenced, and having
consented to pledge his professional reputation upon the re-
sult of ulterior proceedings over which he relinquished all fur-
ther controul, is now anxious to redeem that pledge by stating
the facts developed during the progress of the partial restore'
tion of the piers, and the proofs by which these facts are esta-
blish ed.

The result has shewn, he trusts most clearly, that the inner
core of the pier, which. was so decidedly asserted to be sound,
was so much ruptured and crushed, that many considerable
flakes were removed from it, and what remained in a similarly
ruptured state was not retained in its situation without consi-
derable difficulty and expence ; and it must have appeared eli"
dent to every reflecting observer, that such difficulty and ex:
pence would have been greatly increased, but for the powerful
assistance derived from the preparation which had been pre-
viously derided.
It is also an undeniable fact, that during the progress of the
work, such a settlement or compression of the ruptured core
occurred, that several fissures appeared, and continued to in'
crease in the superincumbent masonry, till the iron columns
were completed ; a circumstance which no one can regret more
than the Author of this Appeal, although the occurrence affords
the most decisive proof that the measuers he adopted were nel
only not improper, but justifiable by the most imperious nej
cessity ; while he conceives he has a right to assume, that un'
der his own superintendence they would have been more effec-
tual : for in the first place it is to be observed that the weight ;cal
suffered to remain upon the timber frame longer than he
contemplated, and much longer than it would have been ,1,1;
fered to have remained, if his system had been adopted ;
condly, he must regret that anv part of the frame he IJA",
constructed was removed, for though the quantity of timber
displaced was very small in proportion to what, was retained,
yet its situation rendered its office important, and it may be
fairly assumed, that besides the effect to be derived front
simple numbers, and even from relative situation, other
causes may he assigned why a greater number of props
may be expected to effect a purpose for which a less num.'
her may prove insufficient; for it might have happened
that those which were removed stood upo,fl a more solid
foundation than others which remained, or the equalization of
weight, upon a given surface of foundation, may have been
disarranged. But what must be considered still more import-
ant, and actually did occur, was the diminution of the surface
of foundation, provided not only for the supports that were re-
moved, but also conjointlyfor those which remained ; and this
was done for an alleged purpose, which was not ultimately made
available, namely, to give space for extending the foundations'
of the pier, which was not done.
In conclusion, the Chapter Surveyor feels it incumbent upon
him to chew, that what he has stated as facts, does not rest open
his own assertion, hut is established by the following proofs.
First, that the interior of the pillar was ruptured, and in a
worse state than it was expected by the Surveyor Extraordinary
to have been found, was admitted in the presence of several
gentlemen of the first respectability, by the person deputed by
the Surveyor Extraordinary to superintend the work. If that
admission had attained the same publicity as the imputed error
of, the Chapter Surveyor, this appeal would not have been
necessary ; but such a promulgation was not to be expected,
because it must obviously have led to an inquiry in every re-
flecting mind, of what would have been the consequence of s°
late a discovery of such an important fact, if the measures so
unequivocally condemned had not been adopted. (3) Secondly.
that fissures of considerable extent did appear in the super-
structure during the progress of the work, and can still be
traced, is known to many respectable persons, inhabitants'
of Winchester and others ; and that the same did nut
exist before its commencement, is most satisfactorily
proved by the Surveyor Extraordinary himself, both by his
Report to the Dean and Chapter, (4) dated 24th Novemberf
1821, and by his letter to the Chapter. Surveyor of the same
date, (5) Thirdly, beside these admissions, it was. desirable
that the Chapter Surveyor should know what the Master .313"
son, who was employed upon the work, would state uPon
the subject. In the presence, therefore, of several gentlemen
of the highest respectability, the Chapter Surveyor (having.Pur'
posely avoided any previous conversation with that person
upon the subject) explained to him, and to the gentlemen
present, that it was not his intention to require any opfuir!
from him, bat only to request him to explain the fact as to We'
state of the interior part of the pier after the removal of the
outer casing of masonry ?: To this he replied " The core %ea°
spit open at the four angles so wide that I could lay mg arni
tifito it." He was then asked, whether.all the reputed parts!:
had described were removed?. His answer was, " ,Arv',
were afraid to do that." (6) A drawing was then sheen "41,
him, and he was asked, whether it was a true representation
the parts of the Cathedral he had repaired, and of the defects'
he had described ? To whichhe answered, "Itis a true rePre'
serration, except that the cracks in the core went farther thaw
appear by this drawing," He was then asked by one of the-
gentlemen present, what was his opinion respecting the Wet
whether any part of it .would have remained, if all that Ws!
fractured had been removed ? To this he answered, " No, I'
do not think it would."

has been the intention of the- Author, in the foregoing
pages, to abstain from declamation or invective, because his nbd.
tect is not to shew that the opinions or practice of others were
wrong, any farther than as he conceives it necessary to prone
that his own were right. In this (which is to him the most tin'
portant consideration) he is inclined to indulge the hoJ
that he has succeeded; and he begs leave to express bi'4-
most grateful acknowledgment for the honour done him bif
those who may have been pleased to peruse his statement.
(Signed) IV DI. GA RBETT.
(1) The part, of the plan alluded to, teas found Impractioa'
ble ; and if it had ever been intended to have been carried into
execution, the intention was very soon abandoned.
(2) It may not be deemed irrelevant to state, that it had been
proposed to the Chapter-Surveyor to remove some . part of the
casing of the Pier, in order to ascertain the real stateof the in'
terior ; to which he replied, that. such an examination migllC
prove deceptious, as it was not expected that the core would be"
found defective throughout, its entire height, and the.experi"
ment probably might not happen to be made upon the most un'
sound part ; added to which, he (lid not consider it prudent:o
disturb any part of the pier, before the iron columns, which he
had recommended, were prepared and ready to set up with the
least possible delay ; . because there would be found a grey
difference whether the weight of the superstructure might be
left entirely to the support of the timber frame a few days or $
month ; for it was to be recollected, that this frame was n"
cessarily constructed in parts, with timber laid horizontally-I'
position in which it was. liable to compression by continued
weight, as well as to shrinking by the action of the air..
(3) That these measures would not have been adopted by the
Surveyor Extraordinary is manifest, because he has intimated
that they were altogether unnecessary ; and that this censure
admits of no qualification is equally manifest, because. he gall
if they had been necessary, they could not have beertizore in'
dicious.
(4) See page 9. (5) See page 8.
(6) The Chapter Surveyor, having pledged himself not to
ask any opinion of the Master Mason, felt it necessary to ab"
stain from an inquiry as to the grounds of the fear thus express"
ed. It certainly occurred to his mind, that such fear must
have resulted from an apprehension that the predictions of the
Chapter Surveyor would have been verified more palpably than
they had already been ; which made it desirable, to those who
had maintained an opposite opinion, to conceal, .as much as
possible, the extent of the existing defects. It is difficult te'
conceive that fear could have arisen from any other cause, sine'
it had been repeatedly asserted and echoed that the precautions'
adopted were superabundant in quantity ; and it will be
lected that it was admitted, that if" such precautions “ /4(D°
been necessary" they " could not have been more judicious i 3
quality.

BIRTHS.
On Saturday, the 28th of February, at Thorney, Bucke;
Lady of Captain G. Tyler, R.N. of a son.
Yesterday, in Wardour-street, Soho, the Lady of Mr. Joll9'
Orton Harrison, of a son.
On the 29th ult.., at Wateringbury, Kent, the Lady of CaPt'.
Adamson, Hon- East India Company's service, of a daughter•

MARRIED.
Yesterday, Robert .Nelson, Esq., of the Madras Civil Service',
son of the-late R. A. Nelson, Esq., Secretary of the Navy', 1-
Margaret, eldest daughter of Jonathan Harrison, Esq., °
Gower-street, Bedford-square.

DIED.
Yersterday morning, at Halliford, Sarah, widow of the Iste
Robert Douglas, Esq., of Mains.
On Friday last, at her house in Park-street, Windsor, Mrfift.
Annabella Macnab, widow of the late Lieut.-Colonel Robe
,Macnab.
On Thursday last, the 26th ult., at his house in Charlotte::
street, Fitzroy-square, George W. IL Parker, Esq., of Lb'
Army Pay-office, aged 41.

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