The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-03-07 00:00:00

THE INTERIOR.

St. George's-hall, occupying the central division of the
edifice, intended as the vestibule or entrance hall, by
which the other, and, in reality, subordinate portions of
the structure are approached, is, in all respects, a noble
hall—presenting to the eye an extensive and well-propor-
tioned area. Besides serving as a vestibule, it will also
be appropriated as a great hall of audience, for public
purposes ; as a saloon, for extraordinary displays of civic
hospitalities ; as an assembly hall, for important occasions;
and as a music hall: for every or all of which purposes its
magnificent extent and splendid appearance render it
suitable in a degree commensurate with the wealth, refine-
ment, and social importance of Liverpool. In extreme
length it measures 169 feet on the floor, by a width of
about 80 feet, covered by a semicircular arch, spanning
from side to side, and running, in almost unbroken simpli-
city, from end to end ; the highest point of the semicircle
rising 82 feet above the general level of the floor. The
bare statement of these colossal dimensions, and a very
slight consideration of their relative proportions, will show
at once that the hall is of a noble magnitude, as well as
of an elegant form. These general conclusions, however,
only indicate the extent and outline of that hall which
the artist has had at his disposal ; and on the use he has
put this to, must mainly depend his right to the character
of an inventive genius, and his claim to be considered a
cultivated artist; while, on the same result, will also, in
a great degree, rest the title of the edifice itself to artistic
consideration. In completinc, the arrangements of this
stately court, the architect has proved himself, at once,
inventive and tasteful. In general effect, though the
parts are numerous and rich, almost to prodigality, all is
orderly and harmonious. In ornamentation, the hall is
gorgeous, without ostentatious profusion—chaste, without
apparent stint or meanness—lively and cheerful, without
glitter—impressive and grand, without austerity or
harshness.

Leaving generalities, for a cursory glance at the more
obvious details, the attention of the spectator, on gaining
the centre of the hail, is first arrested by a range of lofty
and well-proportioned Corinthian columns, of polished
syenite, or red granite. The range consists of tweiity- •
two of these stately and noble supports, each having a
shaft thirty-five feet in height, and being surmounted by
an elaborately carved capital, of the same material, cut off
from the shaft by a golden astragal and fillet. The
massive bases of these columns rest on a dado or sur-
base, surrounding the hall, the panel portion of which ,
consists of a running fascia, of polished syenite, the plinths ,
and base being of grey or true granite. Each side of
the hall is perforated by five apertures, for windows ' • the
intervening pillars of which are projected into the hall,
so as to form deep and capacious bays, at an elevation of
about twenty feet from the floor ; these bays, being
formed into galleries, are covered by. simicircular arches,
the sofits of which are tastefully enriched by ornamented
panels ; and the key-stones are modeled into the forms of
ships' prows, from the carved beak of each of which
depends a massive gas-lustre. In front of the projecting
pillars stand the syenite columns, so far aS the side
ranges are concerned. The intercolumniations, in front
of the galleries referred to, are filled in by a handsome
ballustrade of rich Derbyshire alabaster, placed on, and
surmounted by, massive plinths of polished black marble,
the projection supported on elaborately-carved trusses.
Beneath these galleries, which do not form obtrusive
projections, are ten niches, for the reception of statues, on
each side of the hall ; and between these niches are large
slab-panels; of polished green marble, from the most cele-
brated Irish quaries. Each end of the hall is so indented
and arranged as to afford suitable places for six columns,
similar, in all respects, to those which decorate the sides.
At the south end a flight of twelve broad steps, of easy
tread, leads up to a space occupied by three bronze doors,
appropriate in design to the general embellishment of the
hall, and having conspicuously displayed in the central
compartment of each the initials S.P.Q.L., a device fre-
quently repeated on panels throughout the hall. These
door spaces are divided from each other by two granite
columns bearing composite capitals of pure white. The
compartment immediately above these doors is devoted to
a portion of the ventilating media ; and surmounting that
is -a very large semicircular fanlight, the key-block of
which is tastefully modelled into a descending victory, with
wings expanded, and holding in both hands a laurel coro-
nal ; this figure is of pure white, and very cleverly executed.
The opposite, or °northern end of the hall is occupied by
an extensive gallery, projected as a semicircle, raised and
supported on columns, and approached by a flight of wind-
ing steps on either side. This projection is open beneath'
and rests on six granite columns, while its junction with
the right line is marked and supported by two tall carved
stone trusses, terminating each at its upper extremity by
a spiritedly sculptured male caryatide. On this gallery is
to be placed the organ, now in course of erection by Willis
of London ; it is to be of great magnitude and power, the
bellows requiring a steam engine of five horse-power to
blowthem. The engine made by Messrs. Fawcett, Preston,
and Co., on the two oscillating cylinder principle, is, we
believe, now ready for erection.
The entablature and cornice crowning the range of
columns which surrounds the hall, are massive, tasteful,
and elaborately decorated with many of the enrichments
characteristic of the Corinthian order. The semicircularly
arched ceiling has been already referred to, though only
in a general and cursory manner ; but as it forms a very
important portion of the hall, and contributes greatly to
the splendour of its general effect, it demands to be noticed
a little more in detail. From north to south the arch is
divided by transverse zones into five broad arched bands,
and longitudinally it is traversed by two styles equi-distant
from the arch springs and from each other, thus practically
dividing the whole arch into fifteen large rectangular
compartments, or main panels, each one of which is again
subdivided into nine subordinate or divisional panels,
varying in form and dimensions in such a manner as to
relieve the whole from any indication of monotony, yet so
subdued in their relation to each •other as to produce a
varied yet repeated harmony of proportions and parts.
The centre of the middle main compartment is devoted to
a shield charged in alto relievo, with the devices of the
royal arms, including the supporters ; the centre of the
other principal compartments being decorated by shields
bearing alternately the arms, supporters and mottoes of
_ the Borough of Liverpool,of the County of Lancaster, and
the emblematic badge of St. George—the tutelary saint to
whom the building is inscribed; besides those armorial
devices, the other panels and their marginal mouldings are
enriched by varied and appropriate ornament. In addition
to these, and classed among the sculptural decorations,
must be noticed, five emblematic figures, of the heroic
size, representative of science, art, &c., executed in alto
relievo, in the spandrils between the window-arches • of
these there are duplicates, one set on each side of the hall.
They are cleverly modelled, and add much to grandeur of
the general effect.
In painting this magnificent saloon, a fine combination
of judgment and taste has been displayed. As the orna-
mentation is elaborate and elegant, rather than over-
powering or commanding, the application of colour and
the diffusion of tint have judicimurly been tender, deli-
cate, and sweet, rather than powerful or startling; decided
tones are occasionally rung out, but they are carried out
in fainter and blending repetitions, till, like the notes of
melodious music, they die away in mingling echoes ; a
pleasing harmony, stirred only by delicately modulated
• intervals, has been. aimed at, and that aim has been
achieved in so successful a manner as to reflect high credit
on the skill and taste of Messrs. Troutbeck and Wannop,
by whom the painting has been executed.
The floor, which is to be a combination of beautifully
white stone and Minton's polychromatic encaustic tiles,
' chiefly arranged in geometrical designs, is 11S yet only in
a preparatory state ; but, judging from what has been
already effected, and from the well-known artistic taste
and capabilities which pervade Minton's productions, no
room can exist for doubt as to an entirely harmonious
keeping with the general design in that particular.
,
' The committee, under whose able management the
; work has been so successfully carried out, are entitled to
the best thanks of the community, on whose behalf they
have laboured with such sagacity, good taste, and assi-
duity. Their arduous task is now drawing to a noFle
close, still their labours show no flagging, their anxie'y
no weariness ; on the contrary, the same zeal and alacrity
which they manifested at starting still animate their pro-
ceedings, and bear them upward and onward in the prose-
' cution of the grand design.
THE LIGHTING.

All the arrangements we believe are now completed with
the exception of the peculiar style of gas illumination to be
adopted; as this dust consist almost exclusively of the style
of pendant lustre which shall befixed on, the determination
is not of such vast importance. Changing the style of these,
if found unsuitable, does not involve interference with any
vital principle which regulates the general harmony ; nor
would it cost a very formidable sacrifice to have a mistake
of that kind rectified if committed. The object to be
attained is simple, and ought not to be difficult of execu-
tion. What is wanted is a steady, powerful, shadowless,
and well-diffused body of light, which shall display, but
not interfere with the details or architectural effect of the
hall. To secure this object, all fanciful devices as to
burners, and all pyrotechnic whimsicalities should be care-
fully avoided. Experiments have been made with lustres
of different design, and these in their illuminating capabi-
lities produce very contrasting results. The first we shall
notice is that in which the lights are arranged in a mas-
sive circular ring. It gives a fine, clear, and powerful
light. Next is a ring of smaller diameter, with a more
elaborated blaze of light ; it is more of a patch than the
other, and does not diffuse so powerful an illumination.
Another has a still smaller diameter and two lighted rings ;
this is defective,:m wanting simplicity. Clusters of bur-
ners have also been tried, but these are a still farther
departure treat simplicity, and they are likewise greatly

defective in illuminating power. Last of all we come to a
curiously compounded lustre, in which an attempt is made
to represent strawberry leaves in illumination, surround-
ing two horizontal coronals, one over the other ; this is the
most objectionable of all the styles which have been
shown. It is poor and spotty in appearance, is destitute of
powerful light, and seems the personification of ghastly, yet
presumptuous, poverty. The matter, however, is in excel-
lent hands; the same watchfulness and good taste which
have secured the admirable execution of the design through
its most trying and difficult stages are still in operation,
and no fear need be entertained that they will bring the
edifice to a successful, speedy, and glorious termination.

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL
SOCIETY.

Tim extraordinary meeting to consider the report on
the subject of Union, was held at the Royal. Institution
on Saturday evening last. Dr. Dickinson presided.
The business came before the meeting in a peculiar way;
as the adoption of the report was not moved, but a resolu-
tion of the Council instead of it. This recommended a
union of the Societies as desirable, provided the name
" Literary and Philosophical" was retained. This appa-
rently pledged the Council to the principle of union : but
it was thought by many in the meeting that it was merely
an attempt to get rid of the subject " by a side wind," viz,
by attaching a condition which the other Societies could
not grant. An amendment was accordingly moved and
seconded, to the effect that the clause respecting the name
do not stand part of the motion.
The discussion was sustained with great spirit from half-
past seven to ten o'clock ; and, with one or two exceptions,
with great good humour also. Mr. J. P. G. Smith, Dr.
Ihne, Mr. Heath, Mr. Picton, Mr. Yates, Rev. H. H.
Higgins, Dr. Hume, Dr. Inman, Rev. J. Robberds, and
others adressed the meeting, some for and some against the
retention of their own Society's name. In the meanwhile,
owing to the lateness of the hour, several gentlemen had
left the meeting. The decision showed 26 votes for the
amendment, and 23 against it; the latter number includ-
ing several whose earnestness on the subject of union has
never been suspected or questioned.
The formal adoption of the report was then moved by
Mr. Edward Higgin in an interesting speech, and seconded
by the Rev. H. H. Hampton. In deference to the large
minority who wished to retain the name Literary and
Philosophical, a clause of about one line was excepted from
the report, in this motion. It was that in which all the
names of the uniting societies are disapproved; and this
was a recommendation of the subject to farther considera-
toin. The vote in this case showed those who were
opposed in Coto to the union; they were about one fourth
of all those present, and it was not thought necessary to
report the numbers officially.
At this late hour the members were impatient to retire ;
but while they were on their feet, two votes of thanks were
passed by acclamation, one to the delegates from the
society who had assisted in preparing the report, and the
other to Mr. Brakell for his offer to present 1,000 copies
of it to the learned bodies of the town.