The Sun.
London, England, 1824-06-17 00:00:00

Ma. SOAVE.

Considering this Gentleman as having been the
mark of illiberal envy and overweening igllo.
rance, we readily—insert the following letter,
which appeared in yesterday's Morning Post,
.a
Paper not more distingnished for its sound con-
stitutional principles than its zeal for the encou-
ragement of talents and its protection of perse-
cuted merit.. With respect to Mr. SOANIII, we
may add, in the words of POPE,
" That sense survivid; when silly jests ware pas;
" For real merit will buoy up at lest;"
and the learning, faocy,,and genius„ which ail.
pear in the works of this Classical ArchiteCt and
benevolent mane are evidently dissipating the
clouds of ignorance and malevolence that were
lately cast over his reputation.

NEW COURTS OF LAW AT WESTMINSTER.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE MORNING POST.

SIR-I took the liberty to address you some
time ago on the subject of Mr. SOANE'S Petition, and having'
since seen some very able remarks on the same subject, and
pretty much in unison with those you did me the favour to insect
in your valuable Paper, I venture once more to solicit admis-
sion for these also, on a subject of such great importance.—
Notwithstanding the urgent, necessity for speed in the comple-
tion of the Courts, it appears rather singular that no one step
whatever has been taken since the report of the Committee on
the Subject. May I be allowed to ask whether that Report is
intended to be acted on ? or whether, in fact, any material
change is likely to take place in the new buildings in conse-
quence of it ? In a question of such public interest, I cannot
but think it strange that so long a period has been suffered to
elapse without any thing whatever having been done to the
works. But I proceed to the remarks which follow, and
I am, Sir, yours, &c. • . A. B.
In forming a correct judgment on the subject of the additional'
buildings connected with Westminster Hall, two questions pro-
sent themselves :

First. In what style the exterior of the new buildings should
be erected ? N‘rhether with a Gothic facade, or whether the style
of the old stone building should be continued ?

The second question is, Whether a corresponding wing should
be erected on the east side of Westminster Hall ? . •

To determine these questions, it may be assumed,
First, That the front of Westminster Hall should be lA*
itself, as much insulated as possible, to tell its own tale—"
mixed with baser matter."

Secondly, That any new building should be subordinate to
the front of Westminster Hall, •

From these data it follows, that if the additional building hat
a Gothic facade, it will enter into competition with the front of
Westminster Hall; and, like a pigmy compared with a giant,
both will suffer by the coniparison. If, on the contrary, the
exterior is made to correspond with the old stone building, the
front of Westminster Hall, rising majestically above the sur.
rounding objects, will retain its imposing aspect.
As to the second question. It a corresponding wi be'
erected, it will exclude all the beauty of the east side of West.
minster Hall, and render the approach to the Speaker's House
very much confined ; whereas, by taking down the Duchy of
Lancaster Buildings, and leaving the space open, a very
large parr of the magnificent east front of Westminster Hall
will be exposed to the view of " all those who enter the me-
tropolis by Westminster Bridge," and the exterior of the
Speaker's house, with the beautiful Cloister, which may be
laid open to the Court-yard, by altering the entrance into the
Speaker's house, and thereby add to the splendour of the
scene ; and this assemblage of the sublime exertions of our an-
cestors will produce a striking effect on the minds of the be-
holders,—whilst the Court.yard, inclosed with lofty massive
railing, would improve the convenience of the Speaker's
mansion.

The rooms that will be taken from the Speaker's house by
opening the Cloister as proposed, might be easily supplied by
additional rooms nearer the ricer ; and the Duchy of Lancas-
ter, the Exchequer, and any other buildings that may hereafter
be required, might be erected next the river, and be corn.
posed in a style so as to increase the splendour of Westmin.
ster Hall.

The Committee in their report to the House of Commons
state that they " are well aware how difficult * and hazardous-
a task it is to place modern Gothic by the side of such a struc-
ture as Westminster Hall ;" and it is presumed that it has been
shewn, that any such attempt would tend to destroy the mag-
nificence of 'Westminster Hall. If, however, it should be de:.
termined to Gothicize the front of the New Building, and to
finish the North-west angle with a tower, surely that tower
should not be of an octangular form, but square, to correspond
in form, but not in dimension, with the towers of Westminster'
Hall.

• The front of the House of Lords is a melancholy instance of
this truth. Mr. WYATT'S design for the improvement of West.
minster, of which this formed a part, was intended to have.
continued the same style of building from this front on both
sides of Parliament-street, as far as Golden-cross, Charing-
cross ; but such was the general disapprobation of this sped.
men of architecture, sanctioned by a
.Committee of taste, that
the great plan of improvement was relinquished, neither Mr.
WYATT nor the Clerk of the Works choosing to sanction the
abortion. The design was abandoned : and the drawings cf-
this promised mighty blaze of architecture, which vanished
in air, were deposited among the archives of the House a
Commons.

CANINE PHILOSOPHERS.—At the time whets
the dispute between the pa'rtizans of Aristotle
and of Descartes raged in France with the
greatest violence, a country clergyman had edu.
Gated four dogs. One he named Aristotle, and.
the other Descartes; each of them had a disciple,.
and had brought them up so that they could not
bear the sight_of another. As soon as Aristotle
perceived Descartes, he seemed inclined to tear
him in pieces, and the latter was no bet-
ter disposed towards the other. To amuse
his friends, the Curate would call the rival phi.'
losophers. Each immediately took his place;
Aristotle on the right, Descartes on the left, of
their master, and each disciple stood near his
master." The Curate then exhorted Aristotle to
accommodate matters with Descartes, but the
angry looks of the -dog, and his loud barking,
intimated his aversion to the proposal. He then
wade a similar application to Descartes, who
treated it in the same manner. " Let us try, then,"
said the master, 66 Whether by confering together
you are come to an' sereernent.'!. Upon this the
dogs drew nearer tilt one another, and each in hip
seemed discussing some im.
turn barking gentlY,
portant matter. The barking, however, gradually
grew louder, the disputants became more and
more enraged, and finally, rushing upon one ano.
ther, would probably have terminated the dispute.
fatally to one or the other, had not their master
separated them.
There is to be seen just now at Dunkeld, in
the open pleasure ground, in front of Miss Ono's
St. Adaman's Cottage, a Chinese tree peony,
only three feet and a half high, yet occupying a
space five feet in diameter: Its full blown
blossoms, at present forty-four in number, are
each about two feet in 'circumference, and cover
almost the whole foliage of the plant,
which has
indeed a most: superb appearance, being consi-
dered the finest of the, kind ever reared in ibis
country.—( Edinburgh Paper.)