The Liverpool Standard, and General Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1854-09-19 00:00:00

THE SOUTHERN PORTICO.

In St. George's Hall, the architect, following the rule
generally observed in Greek Temples, has directed his
chief attention to the Portico, which, in this instance,'has
been affixed to the southern end of the edifice, and here
he has concentrated the fullest elaboration of ornament,
combined with the purest and most majestic features
of the noble style which he has selected. for working
out his design, to be met with in any portion of the
structure. This portico has been deservedly admired by
numerous connoisseurs, and, in the opinion of the late
Sir Robert Peel, it formed the gem of the whole edifice.
Surmounting a pedestal of noble steps, nearly a hundred
and fifty feet in width, is placed a prostylar octostyle
portico a hundred feet wide, terminating in a pediment of
graceful angle, the tympanum of which is enriched by a
group of meagre, spirited, and characteristic sculpture,
designed with artistic boldness and executed with freedom
and vigour. The columns of which the portico is com-
posed are individually of graceful and elegant proportions,
crowned by capitals of sweet design and rich in beauty;
singly, they suggest ideas of symmetrical grace; in com-
bination, a fulness of harmoniously proportioned grandeur
and exquisitely balanced power. With the exception of
the frieze, nearly all the members which compose the en-
tablature of this portico are enriched, including the coffered
soffit of the arch forming the ceiling of the portico. The
planceer of the principal cornice has also sunk panels, and
there are carved pateres between the double fascia
modillions.

The sculpture, which fills the tympanum, is in Caen
stone, executed in alto relievo, some portions being en-
tirely free ; it has been cleverly sculptured by Mr. W. G.
Nicholl and assistants, under the superitendence of Sir
Charles Eastlake, P.R.A. from designs furnished by Pro-
fessor Cockerell, R.A. The following has been given as
an official description of the sculpture :—" Britannia, her
spear in her right-hand, offering the olive branch with
her left, is seated on her island ock, the lion at her side,
and the Mersey, or ocean, at her feet. By her side is
Mercury, bringing to her the four quarters of the globe ;
Asia first, with the cornucopia at her feet ; America
behind Europe, with the sword of power in her right-
hand, raising Africa with her left; and lastly, Africa, in a
posture of gratitude and humility, with her eons in her
arms,the breaking of whose chains is the work of Britannia,
to whom she points. Beyond is Bacchus, the panther, and
the wine-vase. The other foreign products are represented
by two figures, drawing to land their several cargoes. On
the right of Britannia are the English arts and products
advancing to meet the foreign Apollo. Science holds the
torch and guides the car, and Agriculture is at 'her side.
Behind are the plough, the spindle, and the bee-hive,—the
peasant and his child forming a group to represent the
domesticity of England. Beyond is Metallurgy, forging
the anchor and engaged in the fabric of arms and ma-
chinery, which she knows so well how to use."
Engraved on the freize of the pediment, in antique
Roman characters, is the annexed inscription

Artibus, Legibus, Consiliis.
Locum, Municipes. Constituerunt,
Anno Domini MDCCCXLI.

As already stated, this portion of the external structure
hew +l.o chief attention of the architect- ..1,1 0.1"
his genius has been most .su.ccemamiy this
fine portico, and its immediate concomitants, we have a
rich development of graceful forms ; a studiously com-
bined arrangement of symmetrical parts ; and such a har-
mony of lines and masses, as deservedly constitute it the
tour de force of the whole design : yet, from the nature
of the surrounding buildings, and the peculiarly disad-
vantageous character of the street levels, the effect of its
charming combinations is greatly marred ; and its chief
beauties are rendered scarcely perceptible. The street
immediately in front of it slopes so rapidly down from
east to west, as to render a heavy basement indispensable ;
and has called for the introduction of two diverging flighte
of steps into this basement, to obtain access to the real
level of the structure. These flights of steps, separating
as they ascend, produce, at the adventitious base of the
building a sort of inverted repetition of the crowning
pediment totally destructive of the general harmony and
entirely subversive of that simple unity of design which
ought to form, and which, but for this accidental de-
formity, really does constitute the leading characteristic
and charm of this principal feature of the edifice. Another
drawback on the effect intended to be produced by this
leading beauty of the design, occasioned by the peculiarity
of its site and the proximity of the adjoining buildings, is
the difficulty, or rather the impossibility, of seeing it at
such a distance, or on such a level as will enable the eye
of the spectator to embrace it as a whole, or survey it at
such an angle as will reveal its details without producing
apparent distortion. These defects are so obvious as to

) numerous suggestions for remedying

the suggestions themsel

varying

One of then

—that recommended by

LI of meri

—proposes to remedy a large portion
• !--- an artificial platform
.ate roaawav I and north ends
ureorge's-hall, and continuing that raised platform
as far westward as the east side of Whitechapel • between
of wltioll anti the ansrle formed by the

afong the sout.l

he proposes to erect a large edifice foi
This plan, if carried out

asioned by the overpowering ponderosity of the base.
nt, and the anomalous absurdity of the double flight o:

3d to, while it won'
han this, it makes

I not wholly
ao provision

secure this latt
advantages, a