The Sun.
London, England, 1866-01-31 00:00:00

Royal Institute of British Architects.

At the ordinary meeting of the members of the
Institute of British Architects, on Monday evening,
on which occasion Mr. Beresford-Hope was in the
chair, a paper was read by Mr. I'Anson on the
restoration of the Dutch church i.n Austin-friars.
At the time of the partial destruction of the church
by fire in 1863 it was proposed to pull it down, and
build a new church in some other locality more con-
venient to its members, and on a site less valuable;
but there was so loud an outcry raised against the
destruction of one of the finest mediaeval churches
in the City of London that the architects and those
immediately connected with the building reconsi-
dered their plans, and determined to restore it.
Mr. I'Anson, to whom the work of restoration was
entrusted, alluded in his paper to the history of the
church, which was originally built in the 12th cen-
tury, but it had undergone several alterations at
subsequent periods, and in general features it re-
sembled the Temple church. On commencing the
restoration it became doubtful how much of the
building it would be necessary to pull down, for the
columns and arcadeswere in many places much out
of the perpendicular ; but on examining the foun-
dations they were ascertained to be sound, and Mr.
I'Anson therefore thought the columns might be
safely preserved. In its restored condition, conse-
quently, the interior presents the appearance of
leaning columns, that might be supposed to be in
danger of falling, though in reality perfectly safe.
The church was completed and reopened for Divine
service in September last, and it has been restored
in exact correspondence with its previous architec-
ture, with the exception of a new postern. The
cost of the restoration was £ll,OOO, and the value
of the site, had the church been pulled down, was
also estimated at £ll,OOO, the latter sum having
been for the most part sacrificed for the purpose of
retaining in the City one of the fine works of me-
diaeval architecture so many of which have been de-
stroyed fol. modern improvements.
In the discussion on the paper, Mr. BERESFORD-
HOPE congratulated the institute on the very suc-
cessful restoration of a remarkably beautiful
memorial of past times, which, he said, had formed
the model on which Mr. Pugin had constructed St.
George's church in Southwark, and its leading fea-
tures might be traced in the works of other eminent
architects.

Mr. WOODTHORPE said that on his own responsi-
bility alone he should not have ventured to have
the church rebuilt on the leaning arcades and
columns, but he had full confidence in the sound-
ness of the structure.

Mr. WHITE and other gentlemen made remarks
on the means adopted to restore perpendicularity to
leaning walls by tie-rods with screws at each end.
The rods, when expanded by heat, are screwed up
close to the walls, and on the contraction of the
metal during cooling they are drawn nearer together
until they become perpendicular.
Mr. PANsoN also read another paper on the
churches in Auvergne, noticing the general resem-
blance of all the churches in the district, and the ad-
mirable application of differently coloured towers
for the purpose of ornamentation.

In the course of the evening Mr. BERESFORD-
IlorE mentioned that the Queen's gold medal,
which is given in successive years to English and
to foreign architects eminent in their profession, had
been awarded this year by the council to Mr. But-
terfield, subject to the approbation of a majority of
the fellows.

The meeting adjourned to the 12th of February.

St. Bartholomew the Great.

Yesterday afternoon the ceremony of inspecting
the remains of this church, and the works of resto-
ration now in progress, took place under the auspices
of Mr. Tite, the chairman, and of the committee for
the restoration, those gentlemen having invited the
members of the Corporation of London to meet the
London and Middlesex Archaeological Society on the
occasion. A large number of gentlemen were pre-
sent, and amongst them were many who have dis-
tinguished themselves by their knowledge and pur-
suit of architecture. The disordered condition of
the building rendered it somewhat difficult, in
the midst : of a " rude and undigeSted" mass of
bricks and mortar, to form any definite con-
clusion as to. the appearance it' will assume
when the restoration shall have been com-
pleted, but the: interest attaching to the time-
honoured interior was certainly enhanced by the
fact that an opportunity was afforded to the visitors
of observing the wide distinction between the old
work and the
new, although, as Mr. Tite
observed, particular pains have been taken to
preserve the character of the church in all its origi-
nal integrity. In addressing the assembled com-
pany, Mr. Tite, who took up his position on the top
of a loose heap of old bricks and mortar at the fur-
ther end of the nave, gave an interesting account of
the history of the edifice, stating that it was founded
in the year 1102, in the second year of the reign of
Ilenry 1., by a gentleman named Rahere, said to be
a Saxon, and who was called the King's jester and
minstrel. A reckless profligate in early life, he be-
came towards the middle of his career ecclesiastical
in his tendencies, and made a pilgrimage of repent-
ance to Rome. On his return lie had a remarkable
dream, in which he saw St. Bartholomew, who di-
rected him .to' build an hospital and found a church
in his name. In 20 years' time the choir was con-
secrated byßichard of Beauvais, Bishop of London,
the other portions not being completed until ten
years later. Rahere himself was the first prior, and
dying in the year 1144, he was buried within the
building ; a classical monument, still preserved, be-
ing erected to his memory. In the year 1133, Ra-
here obtained from Henry I. a charter, endowing
and supporting the church, and the King also con-
ferred upon the priory the privilege of holding a
fair, afterwards confirmed by Henry 11., and last-
ing over three days—the eve, the feast day, and the
morrow of St. Bartholomew. In the year 1410 the
church had fallen into decay and was restored. In
the year 1510 it again required reinstating, and
Prior Bolton expended a large sum of money in
effecting that object. In the year 1544 King Henry
VIII. sold for £1,064 11s. 3d. to Sir Richard Rich,
the Lord Chancellor, the prior's house, infirmary,
dormitory, chapter house, cloisters, galleries, &c.
The cloisters and many other parts had long since
disappeared, but there were certain portions which
had not disappeared, and amongst these was an apse
which, though now interfered with by a neighbour-
ing resident, who had doubtless a perfect claim to
his premises, would, it was hoped, be fully restored
in process of time. It was interesting to observe the
striking contrast between the present comparatively
small building and the mighty Norman church
which originally occupied the site. Many changes
in parts of the building had undoubtedly taken
place from time to time, and in some respects the
Norman character of the architecture had been par-
tially modified ; but the committee who were now
engaged in restoring the edifice believed that they
should succeed in making a comfortable and com-
modious parish church for the benefit of this ex-
tremely poor and crowded neighbourhood. For
r this very laudable purpose a sum of about £1,500,
in addition to what they had already received, was
required ; and those who might be disposed to con-
tribute to that amount would be glad to learn that
it was the intention of the restorers to preserve in
its integrity the ancient characteristics of the build-
ing, so that it might still remain a curious and in-
teresting monument to the piety of our ancestors.
Mr. Tite was much applauded at the close of his
address, and a vote of thanks was voted to him for
the valuable information he had afforded to his
hearers. A similar compliment was paid to Pro-
fessor Lewis and Mr. Slater (the architects), and to
the Rev. John Abbiss (the rector), and Mr. Thos.
Kitt (the honorary secretary to the committee).
The company then passed round the building to re-

ceive from the architects any further information
they might desire, and the proceedings were brought
to a close.

STATE OF TRADE.

MANCHESTER, Jan. 30.—Our marketfor shipping
yarns has been dull, but still we find a fair amount
of business in the aggregate has been done, and
there is a disposition to buy considerable quantities
at rather lower prices than spinners are yet inclined,
to take. This branch of the market closes tolerably 11
steady, many spinners believing that prices have
already given way as much as they are likely to do.
Many spinners are well supplied with orders, and
appear indisposed to take new contracts at such
prices as buyers are willing to give. For home trade
yarns the market has been quiet, and there has not
been much business to-day. Prices are fully id. per
lb. in the buyers' favour. In cloth a fair amount of
business has been done since Friday, but the demand
has been, less active than for some days previously,
and buyers have, to a great extent, satisfied their
wants. Although we have less business offering to-
day, we have little change in prices to quote, as the
protracted deliveries which alone can be secured
prevent buyers operating, even where they find rates
a little lower than last week. Any goods ready for
immediate delivery would fetch last week's prices.
The contracts in the hands of manufacturers are
large, and most of the makers of favourite staples
are well engaged. Cloths generally are steadier in
price than yarns. Messrs. John Slagg and Co. re-
port of the cloth market :—" The active demand of
the week has now to some extent subsided, and,
buyers having pretty well satisfied their wants, we
have to-day to report a smaller business. Makers,
as a rule, are well supplied with orders, and we have
therefore but little variation in price to notice."
CARDIFF, 29th.—The late favourable change in
the weather hoz had a marked effect on the steam
coal trade of the district, and the exports have been
pretty brisk within the past few days. A large num-
ber of vessels have been able to clear out, while there
has been a good number of fresh arrivals ; in fact,
operations at the docks have not been so lively for
some time past. The collieries are fairly employed,
and proprietors' bodks are tolerably well filled with
orders. The foreign trade looks cheerful, and
although at present only an average quantity is
being sent to the continental markets, there is every
prospect of a considerable increase in the exports
before long. The trade between the collieries in
the Aberdare and Rhonda valleys and Birkenhead
is steadily increasing, and the business done with
the metropolitan markets is gradually assuming
greater importance. Quotations remain about the
same. The local demand for house qualities con-1
tinues limited. In the iron trade there is no change
to note ; prices remain firm, and the future pros-
pects :are encouraging. The high rate of discount
still keeps home buyers backward in giving out con-
tracts. Pig iron maintains its value, and it is with
difficulty contracts can be placed. Remarkable
activity characterises the tin plate trade.
LEEDS, 30th.—There was a better attendance of
buyers in the cloth-halls to-day than last Tuesday,
and more business was done. The shipment of
spring goods is a little more lively, and the prospects
of the trade generally show more improvement.
Meltons and tweeds, both plain and fancy, secure
the readiest sale. Black unions are a little more
inquired for than we lately had to report. There
is a steady sale for good all-wool blacks, the supply
of which keeps little at all in advance of the demand.
Wools keep very firm in price. The flax trade is
in a fair active condition, and the price of yarns,
threads, and the raw material are steady.
NOTTINGHAM, 30th.— We had a moderate atten-
dance on 'Change to-day. The demand for yarns
was less active, buyers holding off in the anticipa-
tion of a reduction in prices ; late rates were, how-
ever, generally made. The demand for hosiery
yarns was scarcely so good as last week, and prices
may be written somewhat irregular. Silks a slow
sale, but firm in value. For brown nets the demand
was less active, but prices underwent no important
alteration.

ROCHDALE, 29th.—The flannel-market has to-
day, as for the past few markets, been devoid of
much animation, the attendance of buyers being
small, and their purchases few. Dyed and fancy
goods are chiefly in request, and they maintain late
prices. The home trade demand for all descriptions
of plain white goods is flat. A few orders have just
been given out for goods for shipping, and upon the
whole the manufacturers are fairly employed. Wools
keep very firm in price.

Railway and other Companies.

GREAT NORTHERN AND WESTERN,

The report of the directors states that the traffic
had increased during the past half-year, and the net
receipts were sufficient to pay interest at 4 per cent.
per annum on the gross expenditure on the portion
of the undertaking which had been worked. The
capital expended on the Westport Extension had
been hitherto a heavy charge, but this line was now
completed and opened, and the directors anticipated
that it would prove remunerative. The accounts
showed a net disposable balance of £6,838, and the
directors recommended the payment of a dividend at
the rate of 5 per cent. per annum upon the original
preference capital, and also upon the new preference
capital; and 3.312 per cent. per annum on the
£113,350 ordinary share capital held by the Midland
Great Western Railway Company of Ireland; also
3 per cent. per annum on the ordinary share capital
of the company other than that held by the Midland
Company—paid up to the 31st December, 1865, less
income-tax. The directors had found it expedient
to apply to Parliament for an extension of time to
complete the works to the harbour of Westport and
to the town of Ballina, and to be allowed to increase
the preferential stock by £30,000, with the usual
borrowing powers. The capital account to the 31st
of December showed that £595,629 had been re-
ceived, including £11,480 from revenue, and
£565,065 expended, leaving a balance of £30,564.
The revenue account for the half-year showed that
£14,946 had been received, £5,848 expended in
working, £2,260 in payment of interest on deben-
tures, leaving a balance of £6,838.