The Sun.
London, England, 1850-11-14 00:00:00

TKIRTY-FTFTH EDITION,

CONTAINING THEREMDISEDYEASE FOR THE PREVENTION OF
Illustrated by 26 Anatomical Coloured Engraviwts on Steel.
ON PHYSICAL DISQUALIFICATIONS, GENERATIVE INCA-
PACITY, AND IMPEDIMENTS TMARR
A New and Improved Edition, enlarged to 196 pages, price 2s. 6d.
by post, direct from the Establ-shment, 3s 6d. in postage gam",
TRE SILENT FRIEND, a Medical Work 01:1
the exhaustion and physical decay of tin system, produced by
ex :essive indul•renee. the consequences of infection, or the abuse of
mercury, with ex,,licit directions for the use of the preventive lotion,
followed by observations on the Married State, and the disq
Bons which prevent it. Illustrated by 26 ft„ Inured En4ravings, and
by the detail of cases. By R. and PERRY and CO., Consulting
Surgeons, 19,
old-street,n Ox ord-street, London. Published by
the Authors ;and s by Strange, 21, Paternoster-row ; Hannay,
63, and Sanger, 150, Oxford-street ; and Gordon, 146, Leadenhall-
street, Londen.
Pala tre Sts of the anatomy and physiology of the re-productive
organs, and is illustrated by Six Coloured Engravings.
PART 11, treats of the consequences resulting from excessi
ducing
ve in-
dulgence, and their lamentable effects en the system, pro
mental and bodily weakness, nervous excitement. and generative
Incapacity. Illustrated by Three Explanatory Engravings. in
PART HI. treats o; tic discos !,s resulting from ietection, either
the primary or aecf Mriary form, and contains explicit directions for
their treatment. This Section is illustrated hy Sevente Coloured
L'ngtcvinp:s.
Pam: IT. contains a Remedy for the Preventlo of Disease by a
simple application, by Which the danger of infection is obviated.
This important part of the Work should not escape the reader's
notice.
Pasz V. is devoted to the eonsidoration of marriage, and its du-
ties. Theunproductive
sexualcausestreatingTheConcentrated
impotence,
, &c.,an
per
remedy, for purifying the blood in • of infection,secondary
symptoms, eruptions, and thee""
bottle. of tnercury, 1 ls. and 335. per
Parry's Purifying Specific abuse
•and 11
Pills 2s. 9d 4s. Rd., a.
per box, a certain remedy f
chronic) inflammation of the blur gonorrhrea, sleet, stricture, and
It. A minute detail of the adder. Consultation fee, if by letter,
posi-
tion Packets, case is required: age, habits, and posi-
. with advice, to be had at the F'ta-
blisttment only by which
tennk are to attendance dally
fee, is saved. Messrs. Perry,
Bar
ie don, from Pleven too y at 19, Berners-street, Oxford-
day, rota Elam to Onc. Ln Two an'. Inv() toy.ight ; on 8"-

Extensive
Moderate
extra
Residence in
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EQUITARLE FIRE OFF.CE.
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The leading principles of this Office arc - Moderate and equitable
Rates of Premium for each cl Iss o, risk—Annual livision of Profits.
ihe difficulty of collecting the elemmts on which to proportion
Premium to risk in Insurance against Loss by Fire has been so
erect, that the rates at present charged are more the result of guess
than calcu'ation.
It has ben found by experience, that the total annual losses of the
different Established Companies have not been proportionate to the
amount of annual Premiums received by each.
It is of the highe,t importance, both to the Insured and Insurers,
that such an anomaly should cease, and an iapproximation to the
trne risk b' made. To secure this object the Equitable Fire Insu-
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The true rate of Premium for Fire Insurance can only he ap-
proached thrnugh Classification and Average, which has not hitherto
been sufficiently acted n. systematically applied.
Whatever he the nominal rate, the bonus or return periodically to
the Insured will determine the true Premium equitably payable, as
a,icurity against loss for so great a calamity* as fire, and the Insurer
is largely interested in this ouestion, and will consult his interest by
"importing a system where, by a careful combination of Classifica-
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Nati•nal Loan Fund Life Assurance Society,
• FquitablA Fire.

CATHOLIC LAW AND GENERAL LIFE
ASSURANCE COMPANY.
S, NEW COVENTRY-STREET, LEICESTER•SQI7ARE, LONDON.
The FOUIITII ANNUAL GENER ‘l-. MEETING of the Proprie-
tors of this Company took place on the 25th instant, at the Head
Office, at One o'clock precisely. The following is extracted from the
rep,fft. which is too lengthy for publication :
During the past year no claim have arisen from deaths in Englar_:"..
and but two in Ireland—one for 5001. and the other tor 2801.—making
together 7001.. which have been paid. This is far below the expected
mortality, and is especially favourable, when it is remembered how
,everely the life offices generally suffered from the epidemic of last
year.
The number of lives assured between the Ist of June, 1949, and
the 31st of slay, 1850, was more than double the number issued in
the twelve mouths preceding.
Prop 'sale were made for in Policies, amounting to 52,9631.25. 6d.:
of these 12 t, comrrising 106 live., were accepted for 45,125/. 6s.
Sixteen Policies lapsed. representing 6,0481., upon which 3201. 3s.
was received by the Company in the shape of premiums
Since the c mmencement of the Company to the let of Tune last.
assuran es were effected to the extent of 110,972/. 125 6d., pro-
ducing in annual nremiums 3,732/. I Is. 6d. Of these 54 lapsed,
amounting to 23,990/. 16s. 64., of which the annual premiums were
7411. Is., leaving the yearly income on the Ist of June last equal to
2,991/. 15.. Ild.
.4ince last meeting loans were applied for to the extent of 17,700/.,
but 1,183/. 115. 10d. only was advanced.
The Directors were also highly gratified to report that within the
last four months 'hey had considerably extended their business on
the Continent, having appointed, as Head Agent in France, Monsieur
de l'Etang, a gentleman of high standing in Paris, distinguished for
his integrity and Ability in financial and in all assurance matters,
who under the sanction and patronage of the Archbishop of Paris,
the Cardinal Archhish p of Lyons, and Monseigneur Parsis, Eveque
4e Langres, has already within the last three months effected a con•
sidarab'e amount of busine.s, not only in Life Assurances, but in An-
nuities both Immediate and Deferrerovingd.
of the Re
thanks Afte
to the s
R lut
After
ou resolutions,
app port, and returning
Reverend Chairman, Itishep Morris, the Vice-
Chairmen, Actuary, Secretary, and Medical Officers of the establish-
ment,variriegshot io
the meeting separated, highly gratified at its present results
and future prosrects•

nR. CULVERWELIIS NEW WORKS.
To be had of Sherwood, 23, Paternoster-row ; Carvalho;
47, Fleet-street ; Mann, 39, Cornhill ; or direct from the author ,
nice One Shilling each ; by post, ls. 6cl.
ENJOYMENT OF LTFE.
" Health, Recreation, and rational Use of Time."
Cowrzwrs:—Early Rising—Spring and Slimmer lioniings_Ex.
pinions about the Environs of London—The Parks, Lanes, Hills
Forests, Fields, High-roads, and other pleasant places—Country
rriPs and Rambles—The Sea—London at Night—Evening., at Home
—Music—The Drama—On Eating, Drinking, Sleeping, Bathing, Air,
test, Ease, Occupation, &c., &c.
11.
FRAGMENTS FROM THE MOUNTAINS. Two Vols.
Vol I.
L VISIT TO THE LAKES; SKETCH OF EDINBURGH, &c.

Pol. IL

• --
LARKS OF KILLARNEY; REMINISCENCES OF
DTJBLIN, &C.
WT/ AT TO EAT, DRINK, AND AVOID.
"That three score years and ten our course may run."
A repel= review of almost every form (carv4e and cure) of rer-
rowdy-debilitated health and enfeebled constitution, that harasses
1:c young, besets the man cf pleasure, husincas, or study, and em-
•itters old age, with tables and rules for the diet and physical regu-
ittion of every-day Ufa

TV.
Tlllt PA SSIOITS.
" What passions hurt the body—what improve,
Truths as refined as Athens ever heard."
SIIILTECT : -Life's pilgrimage, from infancy to old age. The advent
.fthe passions. Chastity and its infringements. The casualties of
licentiousness and dissipation, with illustrations, graphic, narrative,
and rumediative. Advocacy of early marriages.

TDB MA.RRIA(IF,
" To be or not to be, that is the question."
Pitons/04Kx :—Laws and obligations of nature, society, and ro-
il lion regarding marriage, to be observed by either sex. Time and
:twice, on both sides, as to age, temperament, complexion, and
physical defectiveness and itsPrirenl'oval
Igurc. to secure healthy offspring, with.
Sterility
juatr3!
andof rams
ctingvethra;omn..
Gins, Bcp,
gy ft. 3. CTILVERWELL, M.D. (1841). M.R.C.S. (1827), L.S.A.
(1824). Twenty-Ova years Medical and Forensic Referee in these
Reception hours daily till Ave, Evenings, seven till Dino.
10 Argyll-plaa, Regan4tnot,

SOCIETY OF ARTS.—EXHIBITION OF 1851.
Last night the Society of Arts held their first ordi-
nary meeting for the season, in the society's house, 18.
John-street, Adelphi ; Lord Overstone in the chair.
There was a very strong attendance of members and
visiters, including several ladies, the large hell being
filed to overflowing. The principal business of the even-
ing was the rending of a paper by Mr. Paxton, on the
origin and details of construction of the building for the
Exhibition of 1851. Around the walls of the room were
suspend, d numerous drawings illustrative of the subject
of the lecture. ageinst each of which a strong light was
directed as it was referred to in the course of the lecture.
It was also intimated that for the benefit of those who
desired to inspect the drawings more minutely, they
would he allowed to remain in the room till Friday
evening next.
Mr. PAXTON (who, we may state one, for all, was
frequently cheered in the course of his statement) rose
and said—Before I read the paper which I am about to
submit to you, I may be permitted to say a few words
with regard to myself. Although I have written a great
many papers on various subjects, this will be the first
time I ever read in public, and I assure you I should not
have done so now but for the solicitations of the council
of this society. When I first brought the design for this
building to London, about the middle of the past sum-
mer, the council of this society kindly offered me the
use of this room in order that a lecture might be
delivered on the advantages of my plan, and the
matter went so far that a night was named for the
purpose. I did not intend on . that occasion to say
anything myself, for I had too many engagements then
on hand to permit my doing so, but proposed to transfer
the duty to the hands of others, who would have dis-
charged it far better than I could have doia. Bat in
the progress of events it was thought desirable to post-
pale the lecture until the latter end of the year, and now,
at the request of the society. I have consented to write a
paper and read it myself. The great industrial building
now in the course of erection, and which forms the sub-
ject of the present paper, was not the production of a
momentary consideration of the subject. Its peculiar
construction in cast-iron and glass, together with the
manner of forming the vast roof' is the result of much
experience in the erection of buildings of a similar kind,
although on a smaller scale, which has gradually deve-
loped itself through a series of years. In giving, there-
fore, a description of the building itself, it may not he
uninteresting to give a brief account of the reasons
which led me to investigate the subject of glass roofs
and glass structures generally, and which have resulted
in the Exhibition building. In 1828, when I first turned
my attention to the building and improvement of glass
structures, the various forcing-houses at Chatsworth, as
et other places, were formed of coarse thick glass and
heavy woodwork, which . rendered the roofs dark and
gloomy, and on this account very ill suited for the pur-
poses they were intended to answer. My first object
was to remove this evil; and in order to accomplish it, I
lightened the rafters and sashbars, by bevilling off their
sides, and some houses which were afterwards built
in this manner proved very satisfactory. I also at
this time contrived a light sashbar having a groove
for the reception of the glass; this groove com-
pletely obviated a disadvantage connected with the
old mode of glazing, namely, the putty becoming
continually displaced by the sun, frost, and rain
after the sashes had been made for a short time, and the
wet by this means finding its way betwixt the glass and
the wood, and producing a continual drip in rainy wea-
ther. About this period the desire for metallic roofs
began to extend in every direction, and, as such struc-
tures had a light and graceful appearance, it became a
question of importance as to the propriety of using metal
sashes and rafters, instead of wooden ones, for horticul-
tural purposes. After carefully observing the effects of
those built by various persons, it became apparent to me
that the expansion and contraction of metal would always
militate against its general adoption. as at no season of
the year could the sashes and ratters be made to fit. The
extra expense also of erecting metallic roofed houses was
a consideration. In 1833 I contemplated building a new
range of hothouses, and being desirous of knowing how
much they would cost if erected of metal, a plan of the
range was prepared and sent to Birmingham, and another
to Sheffield, with a desire to be furnished with estimates
for that purpose. The estimate from Birmingham was
1,800/., and the other,from Sheffield, was 1,8501. These
appeared to me such enormous sums that I at once set
about calculating how much the range would cost if built
of wood under my own inspection; and the result was
that I was able to complete the whole range, including
masonry (which was omitted in the metal estimates), for
less than 5001. Besides the extra cost of metallic roofs
we must add the extreme heat of such houses in hot
weather, and th.-ir coldness in times (I frost, the liability
to breakage of glass from expansion and contraction
of the metal, the very limited duration uf the smaller
portions, as sashbars, from corrosion, by exposure
to the alternations of heat, cold, and moisture, in-
separable from gardening operations. and which
could only be prevented by making use of the
expensive material, copper; and the diffieul!y, when
compared with wood, of repairing any damages, as a
wooden roof could at any time be set to rights by a com-
mon cat penter. These different items formed in my
mind so many objections to its use, and the same disad-
vantages soon became generally apparent. It was now
thought advisable by some persons, that in order to ob-
viate the many disadvantages in the use of metal, the
rafters and framework of the sashes ought to be made of
ghiavde wood,s
anticipated,a
presentedatinsdf a
satisfaction;
ieoornsa;
tshahaenbd
davrrsngtreinfgfoemsr ett thh
quite obvious that materials se incongruous could never
accordingly,oaaesn.e the rrhroeat3h,
rays
planr, yet i t certainly
wasan
graduallyas I
subsided, and the use of wood is
nt
rua
againc tf
ue
structures
became years,ca m e re-
sorted to by most persons as the best material fur
horticultural purposes. In the construction of glass
houses requiring much light there always appeared
to me one important objection, which no person
l obstructede, and
co
consequently
ituhreenii
seemed to have taken up or obviated. It was
importance to forcing fruits,
this:—ln plain lean to, or shed roofs the morning and
evening sun, which is on many accounts of the greatest
presented its direct rays at
glass. At those periods most f the of light d
lost both morning and evening; heavy rafters, so that a considerable portion of time was
which the glass would be more
a beatl ow
wereangteelYglatss) and
and
consequentlye vening rays
b oe became
athe
e
eavtidriegnhtttahnagt
laaset•ostetmheboly
sun would obviate the difficulty and remove the ob-
struction to rays of light entering the house at an early
and late hour of the day. This led me to the adop-
tion of the ridge and furrow principle for glass
roofs, which places the glass in such a posi-
tion that the rays of light in the mornings and
evenings enter the house without obstruction and pre-
sent themselves more perpendicularly to the glass at
those times when they are the least powerful; whereas,
at midday, when they are most powerful they present
themselves more obliquely to the glass. Slaving had
this principle fully fixed in my mind, and being con-
vinced of its importance, I constructed a pinehoueo in
1833 as an experiment, which still exists unimpaired,
and has been found fully to answer the purpose. In
1834 I resolved to try a further experiment on a larger
scale, on the ridge and furrow principle, in the construe
tion of a greenhouse of considerable dimensions, which
also remains and answers admirably. For this building
I made a still lighter sashbar than any I had previously
used, on which account the house, when completed
(although possessing all the advantages of wood), was
as light as if constructed of metal. The whole length
of this structure is 97i feet, and its breadth 26 feet; the
height at the back is 16 feet 9 inches, and in the front
12 feet three inches. A span so large as 26 feet could not
morning
gosvietrioyn eobfli
he safely covered with a roof constructed in the ordinary
way, unless the sashbars were stronger, and the assist.
ance of heavy rafters and numerous supporters were af-
forded. The house presents aneat and light appearance,
and consists of 15 bays, and pediments in front. sup-
ported by 16 slender reeded cast-iron columns. While
it maks an admirable greenhouse, it is also an econo-
mical building, for at the period of its construction, not-
withstanding the heavy tax on glees (since removed), it
only cost at the rate on 2d. and a fraction per cubic foot.
the •
At the present time, considering the change in price
of material and the removal of the glass-tax, it could be
constructed at a considerably smaller amount. Raving in
contemplation the erection of the great conservatory in its,
present form, it was determined in 1836 to erect a new
curvilinear hothouse, 60 feet in length and 26 feet in
width, with the elliptical roof on the ridge and furrow
principle, to be constructed entirely of wood, for the
purpose of exhibiting how roofs of this kind could be
supported. The plan adopted was this—the curved raf-
ters were composed of several boards securely nailed to-
gether on templets of wood cat to the exact curve; by
this means a strength and firmness was obtained suffi •
cient to support an enormous weight. This house was
subsequently fitted up for the Victoria Regis, and it
was here I invented a waterwheel to give motions to the
water in which the plant grew: and here this singularly
beautiful aquatic flowered for the first time in this
country on November 9, 1849. (Mr. Paxton here ex-
hibited one of the large umbrella shaped leaves of the
Victoria Regia lily, which excited much intere,t, and
continued:—) You will observe that nature was the
engineer in this case. If you examine this, and compare
it with the drawings and models, you will perceive that
nature has provided it with longitudinal and transverse
girders and supporters, or. the same principle that I,
berrowieg from it, have adopted its this building. In
1837 the foundations of the great conservatory were
commenced, and in constructing so great a building
it, was found desirable t , sentries same ircens fer
eta idging the great amount of maraud labour that
would be required in making the immense Hotelier of
sashbars requisite for the purpose. Accordingly I
visited all the great workshops in London, Manches-
ter, and Birmingham, to see if anything had been
invented that would afford the facilities I required.
The only apparatus met with was a grooving ma-
chine, which I had at once connected with a steam-
engine at Chatsworth, and which wets subsequently so
improved as to make the sashbar complete. For this
apparatus the Society of Arts, in April, 1841, awarded
the a medal, and this machine is the type from which all
the sashbar machines found in use throughout the
country at the present time is taken. As the conserva-
tory was erected under my own immediate superintend-
ence, I am able to speak accurately as to the advantage'
of the machine; it has, in regard to the building alone,

saved in expense 1,400/. The length of each of the bars
of the conservatory is 48 inches, only one inch shorter
than those of the Exhibition building. The glass and
glazing of the Übatsworth conservatory caused me con-
siderable thought and anxiety, as I Ives very desirous to
do away altogether with the numerous overlaps con-
nected with the old system of glazing with short lengths.
This old method, even under the best of management, is
1;y certain
structure,i the
howevercourse ofw
a e
inquiries I heard that Messrs. Chance and Co., of Bir-
mingham, had just introduced from the continent the
manufacture of sheet-glass. Accordingly, I went to see
them make this new article, and found they were able to
manufacture it three f-et in length. I was advised to
use this glass in two lengths with one overlap, but to
this I could not assent, as I observed that since they had
so far advanced as to be able to produce sheets three feet
in length, I saw no reason why they could not accom-
plish another foist, and it this could not be done I would
decline giving the order, as at that time sheet-glass was
altogether an experiment for horticultural purposes.
Those gentlemen, however, shortly afterwards informed
me that they htd one person who could make it the desired
length, end, if I would give the order, they would fur-
nish me with all that I required. It may just be remarked
here, that the glass for the Exhibition building is
49 inches long—a size which no country except England
is able to furnish in any large quantity even at the pre-
sent day. In 1840 the Chatsworth Conservatory was
completed and planted. The whole length of the build-
ing is 277 feet, its breadth 123 feet over the walls, and
the height from the floor to the highest part 67 feet.
Notwithstanding the success which attended the erection
of these buildings, it became to me a question of impor-
tance how far an extensive structure might be covered
-in with flat ridge and furrow roofs; that is, the ridge
and valley rafters placed on a level instead of at an incli-
nation, as in the greenhouse, or curvilinear, as in the
great conservatory. I therefore prepared some plans
for an erection of the kind for the Earl of Burlington,
somewhere about ten years ago; but on account of the
lamented death of the Countess the design of erection
was abandoned. However, from that time I felt assured
not only that it could be done satisfactorily, but that the
most appropriate manner to form and support level glass
roofs, to a great extent, was that adopted this year
for the new Victoria-house at Chatsworth, which may
be considered a miniature type of the Great Industrial
building. Before describing this house, however, it may
be well to notice two instances in which the flat roofs
had been previously tried, and in both cases with the
most perfect success. (Here Mr. Paxton referred to the
erection of a conservatory attached to a villa in Dailey
Dale, only a short distance from Chatsworth, and an
ornamental glass structure to cover the conservatory
wall at Chatsworth.) He then continued;—The new
Victoria Regia-house, which presents a light and novel
appearance, is 60 feet 6 inches in length, and 46
feet 9 inches In breadth. Although, when compared
with the Great Industrial building, the Victoria-
house is a very diminutive structure, yet the principle on
which it is constructed is the same, and may be carried
out to an almost unlimited extent. The form of the roof
the general elevation, the supports, and the mode of con-
struction, are all quite simple, and yet fully answer the
purposes for which they were intended. The Victoria-
house, however, was so built as to retain as much mois-
ture and heat as possible, and yet to afford a strong and
bright light at all seasons; whilst, on the contrary, the
Industrial building being intended to accommodate a
daily assemblage of many thousands of individuals, and
a vast number of natural and mechanical productions,
many of which would be destroyed by moisture and heat,
is constructed so as to fully answer that end. My rea-
sons for offering a design for this building were these:—
When plans for the structure were sent in by various
persons who answered the invitation of the Royal Com-
missioners, many forcible and cogent reasons were
urged and publlehedin the daily papers against the pro-
priety of erecting ta large building of bricks and mortar
in Hyde park. It was not until this period that I turned
my attention to the matter, when I was at once con-
vinced that the least objectionable structure to occupy a
public park would be an erection of cast iron and glass;
whilst, at the same time, a building of this description
would be in every point of view the best adapted for the
purposes of the Exhibition. The time for receiving de-
signs had expired; but, from having the whole matter
already digested, and the system of ridge and furrow
fiat roofs so fully impressed on my mind, it only re-
quired the adaptation of the principle on a large
scale to suit the vast building for the exhibition.
My plans were got up in about ten days, when
I had the satisfaction of their being ultimately ap-
proved of by the Commissioners. When I first
brought up my plans I submitted them to the Building
Committee, and then to the Royal Commissioners. Mr.
Scott Russell, who is now present, showed them to the
late lamented Sir R. Peel. lam very happy to have the
opportunity of saying that that great statesman ap-
proved very much of the general features of the build-
ing. He regretted that it was so late in being brought
forward; but of the breadth of effect, and simplicity of
design, he entirely approved. The design for the
building involved various considerations, and therefore
it was planned, fire, with particular c insideration as to
its fitness for the object in view—namely, the Exhibi•
lion of 1851; secondly. its suitableness for theoMio pro-
posed to be occupied by the structure; and, lastly, with
a view to its permanence as a winter garden. or vast
horticultural structure, or a building which might, if re
quired, be ag-tin used at any future period for a similar
exhibition to that of 1851. One great feature in the
present building is, that not a vestige of either stone,
brick, or m near is necessary to be used, but the whole is
composed of dry material, ready at once for the intro-
duction of articles for the exhibition. By no other
combination of materials but iron, and wood, and glass
could this important point be effected; and when we
consider the limited period allowed for the erection of so
stupendous a structure, the attainment of this all-im-
portant point has secured what may almost be deemed
the moat important consideration. The absence of
mortar, plaster, or any moist material in the con-
struction, together with the provision made for the
vapours which will necessarily arise, and are condensed
against the glass, enables the exhibitor at once to place
his manufactures in their respective situations with-
out the probability of articles, even of polished ware,
being tarnished by their exposure. It may be important
here to state that it is unnecessary to cut down any of
the large timber trees, provision being made, by means
of R. curvilinear roof over the transept of the building,
for them to stand beneath the glass, and, by a proper
diffusion of air, they will not suffer by the enclosure.
(Mr. Paxton here proceeded to describe the drawings of
the plans of the building, as exhibited upon the walls of
the room, showing the original idea of the building and
the improved design as it now stands.) The height of
the centre aisle is 64 feet, the r, de aisles 44 feet, and the
outside aisles, or first story, 24 feet. The transept is
108 feet in height, and has been covered with a semi-
circular roof, like that of the great conservatory at
Chatsworth, in order to preserve the large elm trees op-
posite to Prince's-gate. The whole number of cast-iron
columns is 3.300, varying from 14 feet 6 inches to 20
feet in length. There are 2,224 cast and wrought iron
girders, with 1,128 intermediate bearers, for supporting
the floors of the galleries over the large openings of the
aisles. The girders are of wrought iron, and those for
the galleries are of cast-iron. The fronts of the galle-
ries are also supported by cast-iron girders. The dimen-
sions of the building are 1,851 feet in length, and 456
feet in breadth in the widest part. It covers, altogether,
more than 18 acres, and the whole is supported on cast-
iron pillars, united by bolts and nuts fixed to flanges
turned perfectly true, and resting on concrete toun-
datione. The total cubic contents of the building are
33,000.000 feet. The six longitudinal galleries, 24 feet
in width, running the whole length of the building,
and the four transverse ones, of the same dimensions,
afford 25
.per cent. additional exhibiting surface to
that provided en the ground-floor. This extra space
is suited for the display of light manufactured goods,
and will also give a complete view of the whole of the
articles exhibited, together with an extensive view of
the interior of the building. In order to give the roof
a light and graceful appearance, it is built on the ridge
and furrow principle, and glazed with British sheet glass,
as previously described. The rafters are continued in
uninterrupted lines the whole length of the building.
The transept portion, although covered by a semicircular
root, is also on the angular principle. All the roof and
upright sashes being made by machinery, are put toge-
ther and glazed with great rapidity, for, being fitted and
finished before they are brought to the place, little more
is required on the spot than to place the finished mate-
ri.ds its the position intended for them. The length of_
sashbar requisite is 205 miles. The quantity of
glass required is about 900,000 feet, weighing
up-
wards of 400 tons. All round the lower tier of the but d
ink, however, will be boarded with fillets planted on
a perpendicular line with the sashbars above. I have
tried many experiments in order to find out the most
suitable floors for the pathways of horticultural structi
n.
accounts but chiefly on
Stone is objectionable on many
which it retains which
account of the moisture and damp win,
ally to those wearin thin
g
renders it uncomfortable,
especi
shoes. The difficulty of getting rid of the waste from the
watering of plants is also an objection; but, perhaps, the
greatest is the amount of dust from sweeping, which al-
ways proves
detrimental to plants. I likewise found that
close boarding for pathwa)s was open to many of the
same objections as stone; for although damp or moisture
was in part got rid of, yet still there were no
means of immediately getting rid of dust. These various
objections led me to the adoption of trellised wooden
pathway, with spales between each board, through
a e'en, o sweeping, the dust at once disappeere, and
falls into the vacuity below. ‘Vhil•it the accomplishment
of this point was. most important in plant-houses, I con-
sider i: doubly so with respect to the Industrial build-
tee, where there will be such au accumulation of various
articles of delicate texture and workmanship. Before
sweeping the ft ems of the great building, the whole will
be sprinkled with water from a moveable hand-engine,
which will be immediately followed by a sweeping ma-
chine, consisting of many brooms fixed to an apparatus
on light wheels and drawn by a shaft. By this means a
large portion of ground will be passed over in a very
,hart space of time. The hoards for the floor will be nine
inches broad, an inch-and a-halt thick, laid half an inch
apart, on sleeper joists, nine inches deep and three
inches thick, placed four feet apart. This method of
flooring, then, possesses the following. .advantages:—
It is very economical, dry, clean, pleasant to
walk upon, admits pf the dust falling through the