The Sun.
London, England, 1859-10-24 00:00:00

THE ROYAL EXCHANGE.

For some time past this building has been under-
going an internal renovation, so that one two of
the entrances have been occasionally impeded
through the operations of the workmen. A few
days will now see the completion of the work,
which is at present in such an advanced state of
execution as to afford a tolerably accurate idea of
its general design and effect. The old plaster has
been entirely removed from the panels of the arcade,
which has been replastered and adorned with very
gay and elaborate specimens of fresco painting,
designed by Mr. Sang, and executed by Mr. Been-
sen, a foreign artist, recently from Munich. The
work is, no doubt, altogether very creditable to
the former, but we think it must appear obvious at
first sight that colouring of such vivid brilliancy
as exhibited in the azure ground of the various
panels around the building, and in the tints of the
fruit clusters that hang festooned so gracefully
from the different national, insignia, is quite un-
suited to withstand the effects of this damp northern
climate, together with that of a London atmosphere.
The variegated tracery of the roof is in a more sub-
dued tone, and presents a very pleasing and grace-
ful appearance. Above the west and principal
entrance have been placed the Gresham arms, those
of Sir Thomas Gresham, the founder of the institu-
tion, in combination with the arms of the Mercers'
Company, to which he belonged, together with the
city arms. On the panel of the ceiling immediately
within this entrance are the Royal arms. To the
right are the national arms of Sweden and Nor-
way, and proceeding around by the right the fol-
lowing national and distinguished arms are embla-
zoned on the various panels in the following order:
—Prussia, the East Indies, Australia, Brazil, Ame-
rica, Portugal, Naples, Spain, Italy, Greece, France,
Austria, Holland, followed by those of Branden-
burg, Hamburg, and Lubeck, conjoined with and
succeeded by those of Hanover, Bavaria, Scotland,
Ireland, Denmark, Sleswick-Holstein, China, Tur-
key, and Russia. On the upper corners of the panels
crests of various members of the Gresham committee,
under whose direction theirdi will be is mainta
found
ined,
have been placed ; names
recorded on a granite slab which occupies the south-
west corner of the building. The ceilinc, panels are
interspersed with the Gresham, the Mercers, and
the city arms, together with the mottoes of the two
latter, Honor Deq" and " Domine dirige nos," in
numerous designs and combinations; while above
the statues of Elizabeth and Charles 11. the Royal
arms are again conspicuous. These are the prin-
cipal features of the decorations, which add greatly
to the appearance of the building. We believe fur-
ther that several important alterations have been
made more directly conducive to its comfort and to
the increase of those business facilities which it
was originally intended to afford. Yet, while the
directors deserve all praise for what they have done,
there is one matter wherein they have been shame-
fully remiss. There is one prominent object that
occupies the centre of the area within the arcade on
which" decay's effacing fingers" have fallen some-
what heavily, and which we could not think had
escaped observation until, aftor careful inquiry,
we were told no instructions had been received con-
cerning it. We need scarcely say we allude to the
marble statue of our Most Gracious Soverign. The
figure itself is, perhaps, worthy of being preserved,
though the absurd pedestal on which it is
perched looks like that of a large chess-man.
The state of the former is disgraceful. The soot
and dust collected on the top of the head of
the figure within the tiara have oozed out owing to
the rain, and on each cheek have imprinted a dark
streak. The ingenious artist, in placing the sceptre
in the grasp of the extended right hand, has Affixed
it to the wrist :of the figure, where it still sticks,
though the fingers of the hand have unfortu-
nately dropped off. This matter, we feel certain,
wily requires public notice to be promptly attended
to. We should be glad to see the statue repaired
and placed on a more tasteful pedestal, or, what
would be much preferable, removed altogether.