Star.
London, England, 1830-08-24 00:00:00

WINDSOR CASTLE.

The following is an authentic copy of Sir Jeffry Wyatellie's State.
mein of the causes for the excess of expenditure beyond the original
estimate :
Windsor Castle, June 111.10.
0 It becomes a matter of propriety, in the first instance, to account for
the deficiency in amount of the original estimate not exhausted.
The estimate was formed, in a general way, from the approved de.
signs whilst his Majesty resided in the,Castle.
Of course every thing was calculated upon the cursory view of the
apparent strength and state of repair then visible.
But on his Majesty's quitting his residence, and the work being cons.
menced upon, it became instantly visible that the floors were worn out,
and the timbers rotten.
The investigation being pursued through the whole of the eastern
agd nearly the extent of the southern sides, all the large belinis, and
greater part of the smaller timbers, proved to be rotten, and very little
hold left on the walls.
This was equally the case with both floors and roofs, and It was
deemed prudent to remove them.
Thus, instead of a repair, the whole, as a matter of course, required
to be new.
The timbers taken down were completely rotten through their whole
length ; they have been long exposed to the public view.
This thorough removal of the timbers, old decayed wainscotting and
plastering, exposed the cracks and various fissures in the walls, showing
their dilapidated state, and the danger from broken flues.
The bad state of the inner walls was, in addition to the decay of time,
increased by the Castle having been tenanted by distinct families, who
had not used much forbearance in cutting door-ways, flues into the
walls, and even two or three feet into the walls, to enlarge rooms, or
make closets.
Thus the whole became, what is called by workmen, gutted ; the
old walls have been carefully repaired, and new ones built where ne-
cessary.
The works have been carried on under the clear conviction of its being
a public benefit; to execute all the parts determined upon in a sub-
stantial manner, rather than to attempt a show, by vamping up a greater
quantity.
In addition to the above, the expense has also been. incrsased by
taking advantage of the necessary renewing of the roof, to place the new
one higher on the east and south aides, so as to give a complete story for
his Majesty's servants, end also for those of his Majeny's visitors.
Another addition to the expense has arisen from the necessity' of re-
building the Chester tower on the east side, and the tower at the north-
east corner instead of the old shattered one.
A considerable addition to the expense that could not be contem-
plated in the first instance has arisen from the necessity of carrying the
foundation of the corridor or long gallery down as low as 10 and 12 feet
through the made ground to the solid chalk along the south side; but
this has produced the advantage of giving coal vaults. Foe the want of
such vaults great inconvenience had formerly existed.
The expense has also been enlarged by making a new drain ors-seer
along the east and south sides of the quadrangle,
collateral ain to
the various pans of the building, to avoid the constant stench arising
troru the various little tees-pools sunk into the ground as receptacles
from the water-closets, pipes, and drains.
The great north drain or common sewer was discovered to be so much
out of repair that the water flowed into the tooting of part of the walls,
and by a current beneath washed away the bottom.
The gas pipes and additional water mains.
It may not be necessary to proceed with enumerating every separate
cause of excess. for at each part that has been touched the effects of de.
ay are the same.
In considering the whole impartially, it is necessary to draw the at.
tentiun to the thickness of the walls, the great Masses of the construe.
Lion. the varieties of the materials, the irregularity of the angles, and of
the levels of the floors, in order to give some idea of the difficulties that
have arisen.
It would be a vague method to judge of this work like a common
square building. by feet and inches, Cr pounds weight ; hut to be near
the nut!) the imagination should be extended to acres and tons.
Experience teaches that the proper way to proceed with a work of this
description would be to determine the limits or pans of the building that
should be restored or repaired. and to carry such determination into ef.
feet in the most substantial and proper manner, making good the ex.
pense that would be incurred; and it has been hitherto carried on under
such understanding, which hat probably been the cause of the r-
ectal satisfaction expiessed by those who. have investigated the im.
proem:ma,- ••••