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

THE ARCHITECT.

The design fixed on was that produced flay'an artist
whose teeming fancy, constructive skill, and purity of
taste, constituted his chief if not his only claims to public
confidence. Up to the period of his being selected as the
architect of St. George's Hall, the name of Harvey Lone-
dale Elmes—a young man, not then twenty-four years
of age—was unknown beyond the sphere of his imme-
diate personal connexions. By those to whom he was
known, however, his career was early predicted as a bril-
liant one, if, in the mysterious dispensations of Providence,
he was permitted to pursue the course of action for
which, by the peculiar bent of his mind, he seemed
naturally destined, and for success in which he had qua-
lified himself by assiduous and well-directed mental cul-
ture. This, however, was not permitted. Intense devo-
tion to the study of his favourite art, and anxiety conse-
quent upon being placed conspicuously before the public
in so responsible a position as that which his unaided
talent had secured for him, preyed upon the resources of
a constitution never at any time robust, and gradually
undermined his strength. Prostrated by enfeebled
health, he was compelled to relinquish the active super-
intendence of his plans, and in the more genial and less
fluctuating temperature of tropical dimes to seek the
restoration of that physical vigour, which, alas ! never re-
turned ; he died at Spanish Town, in Jamaica, on the 26th
of November, 1847. "No stranger," says Mr. Baines,
in his History of Liverpool, " ever visited Liverpool,
for any purpose connected with the arts, who obtained
so general an esteem as he did, by his gentlemanlike con-
duct, his strict integrity, and the great talent which he
displayed in his profession." That the eulogium thus
gracefully embodied was fully merited, has received re-
peated attestation, and never in more significant or grati-
fying form than that which it assumed amidst the bustle
of preparation for inaugurating the edifice, which forms at
once the best evidence of his genius, and the surest testi-
mony of sound judgment in the community by which it
was adopted. Among that community the pleasing voice
of grateful recollection still finds a ready echo, and its call
has been answered by friendly efforts to soothe the
widowed sorrows and foster the rising hopes of those he
loved, and on whose future fate his fond regards and
closing eye dwelt in anxious and agonised solicitude. The
too early decease of Mr. limes, and the comparatively
few opportunities his brief career had afforded, rendered
it impossible for him to make adequate provision for his
wife and son. Adding to their bereavement, a policy of
insurance on his life became forfeited in consequence of
his death occurring in a foreign land without intimation
of his intended temporary exile having been made ;
although it is bat fair to state that the insurers
paid over to his representatives a fourth part of the sum
insured. At the suggestion of Mr. Radley, of the
Adelphi Hotel, and a few friends, a subscription was com-
menced a week or two before the opening of the Hall, to
raise a fund for securing to that son an education suitable
to his prospects in life ; and for bestowing on the widow
a portion of that pecuniary reward which they consider
due to the architect; thus offering homage to his genius,
paying respect to his memory, and, as far as in their
power, endeavouring to assuage the sorrows of their
bereavement.*

Narrowing space forbid., dilation on the fate or merits
of this gifted son of genius. He was, we believe, born in
London, and in that noble centre of artistic culture,
under the tuition of his father, who still survives, he
studied the elements of his beloved and dearly-cherished
profession. The productions of his architectural skill and
taste are not numerous ; yet Liverpool is fortunate in the
possession of several, both private and public ; of these
latter, the Collegiate Institution, as it exists, can scarcely
be looked on as a favourable specimen. The design, in
its principle, as well as in its details, was not carried out.
With a knowledge that, as originally planned, it would be
too expensive for the funds at command, it was reduced and
impoverished to what it now appears. In general contour it
is heavy, and its details are commonplace. In its ponderous
monotony few traces are to be found of that graceful
elegance of form, those varied oombinations of outline and
arrangement, and that rich exuberance of chastened
fancy, which constitute the peculiar characteristics and
form the chief attractions of St. George's-hall. Like that
of many another delicate organization, the career of Elmes
proves that the impulses of an expansive mind are often
too impetuous for the fragile mechanism by which they
are
flamdoesootinns bethcfgroieduroosout
of
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ipeterisbhrill----ia.thneor_ardwotihriloef his
edumtoed
the
flashing radiance of the jewel diffused illumination, its
action wore out and shattered the casket—and, at the early
axe of thirty-five, the grave closed over all that was mortal
of Harvey Lonsdale Elmes, of whom it may, deed
truth, be said "his works form his b t indeed, with
es monument."
LAYING THE FOUNDATION STONE, AND PRO-
GRESS OF THE WORKS.
The design having beat fully approved of, and all
the necessary preparations having been made, the
28th day of June, 1838, the marriage-day of Her
Majesty. Queen Victoria, was fixed on as the most
suitable for the formal commencement of operations, in
the construction of St. George's Hall ; and on that day
the foundation-stone of the edifice was laid, under circum-
stances of great municipal eclat. The preliminary portion
of the ceremonial consisted of a magnificent procession, in
which the corporation of Liverpool, with William Rath-
bone, Esq., the Mayor, at its head, attended by the other
municipal authorities, took part. After perambulating the
principal streets, the procession halted at the site of the
Old Infirmary, where, at the conclusion of the ceremonies
usually observed on such occasions, the foundation-stone
of the edifice was laid, amidst loud acclamations, and ge-
neral indications of rejoicing. Subsequent to this event,
considerable alteration took place in the objects intended
to be realised in the building, which was designed origi-
nally to consist of two edifices. One of these was intended
to accommodate the law-courts, the other to provide suit-
able accommodation for celebrating musical and municipal
festivities of more than ordinary importance. In the first
instance, the Corporation undertook tA, build the Assize
Courts, and the town, as already stated, to construct St
George's. Hall. It was afterwards found t'
could not with satisfaction be laid out w
The Corporation then undertook to erect th
at its expense, and the money paid towards the erection of
St. George's Hall was returned to the subscribers. Under
the changed views now entertained by the authorities, Mr.
Elmee was requested to reconsider his plans with an eye
to their amalgamation, and this reconsideration ended in
his uniting the whole into one structure, and that struc-
ture became St. George's Hall, as it is now perfected. The
improved design having been finally determined on, the
building was commenced in earnest in 1841, as stated in
the inscription sculptured on the principal front. The pro-
gress of the structure, thus commenced, has ever sin

;h two ed

formed an object of aniious
Liverpool ; and, under the fostering-care c _
and the sedulously applied zeal of its count
has been afforded in forwarding the edi
celerity consistent with a due and salu
the work. The various contracts f
pentry, plastering And plumber-wo
other departments of construction auu
entrusted to tradesmen who, by the excell
terial employed, and by the tasteful subste
workmanship, have, in all respects, justifies
reposed in them. So assiduously were
those contractors plied, that the general fu
proportions of the noble edifice becam
pleasingly developed ; and so early as 185
the exterior of the structure completed,
greys had also been made in completing f
portions of the interior. On the 9th of 0
year, the building was visited and carefulb
Her Majesty and Prince Albert, both of w
warm approbation of the admirable manner
work had been carried out, and nntinnnAna

he chaste elegan
ion to the obi(

ts in vie

and both st
their opinion of the noble -addition mad
tural beauty of the town by the constr.,

ficent an edifice

nited building

ling, car

Ruch good speed
>rk, that o

ation were

Liverpool, it is only fair tawarcli the Corporat
that Mr. Elmes, or -- • •
Corporation funds a
in terms of his

he was s

THE LIVERPOOL STAN

courts allotted to their accommodation in St. George's
Hall, thus accomplishing an important portion of the
purposes for which the structure was designed : but, alas !
not before the suns of three summers, and the snows of as
many winters, had enamelled the turf which rests upon
its author's grave.

EXTERNAL ASPECT OF THE EDIFICE

Constructed of a warm-coloured and durable sandstone,
the product of Stancliff quarry, in Darley-dale, Derbyshire,
the building presents to the eye a grateful and perfectly
homogenous tone of colour, relieved by nicely harmonising
shadows, and forming a lively but not offensive contrast
with the generally cool grey which constitutes so pre-
valent a chromatic characteristic of our atmosphere.
Raised on an elevated platform, which is approached by
a fine sweep of well-proportioned steps, flanked, though
not interrupted by simple basements, the general form of
St. George's Hall varies in its aspect, according to the
points from which the building is surveyed. From nearly
every point at which a view can be commanded, its lines and
masses combine in admirable groups. On the line running
from south to north, its appearance is that of an oblong
temple, the architectural details of which are Corinthian.
Viewed from the south-east, its proportions appear some-
what strained in length as compared with its breadth, the
former being to the latter nearly as four to one; notwith-
standing which disparity, the general symmetry is well pre-
served, and a fine variety of outline established by various
contrivances which bespeak the resources of the artist, and
chiefly by a considerable projection in the centre. By a
skilful arrangement of his means, the architect has suc-
ceeded in conveying, on the east and west sides of the
edifice, the idea of a massive centre, with well-adjusted
flanking wings. The extreme length is still farther re-
duced in appearance, and yet a greater variety of outline
secured by rounding off the north end into a semicircle.
The elevation of the east and west facades is graceful and
elegant. On the eastern front the projection referred to
has been skilfully made available for the introduction of
a magnificent prostylar colonnade, two hundred feet
in length, consisting of sixteen fluted Corinthian
columns, raised upon a noble flight of steps, and carrying
an undecorated entablature, which, notwithstanding its
plainness, is pleasing in the simple sweep with which it
stretches from one end of the façade to the other. The
western front presents a modified repetition of the same
features, the most marked deviation consisting in an
absence of the stepped pedestal, and the substitution of
sturdy square pillars, with enriched capitals, for the fluted
columns of the eastern centre.

Above the entablature of the colonnade a massive astylar
attic slightly decorated, is raised for the purpose of securing
height to the interior of the principal hall ; its isolation
and heaviness of effect being obviated by a diminished
repetition of a similar wall at either end, forming inter-
mediate gradations between the deep curtain wall and
the blocking course which surmounts the entablature
upon the wings.
The colonnade already referred to constitutes one of the
finest features, if not the very finest feature of the build-
ing. Individually, all the columns of which it is com-
posed present the graceful fascinations of the Corinthian
style ; their bases are full, substantial, and symmetrical,
and their capitals form charmingly ornamental termini to
the slender and elegant richness of line presented by the
fluted shafts. The depth of projection and the well-
arranged intercolumniation, by their harmonised pro-
portion, produce such a balance of light and shade as gives
beauty and relief to the general picture, and, despite the
bald frieze and unenriched cornice, forcibly suggests the
noble peristyle temple which constituted the artist's
original design ; and still forming, as it does, the germ of
the whole composition, leads almost to a regret that the
expanded purposes to which the edifice was afterwards
made applicable, entailed the necessity of stretching out
the structure, by the addition of the flanking wings, which,
however beautiful in themselves, appear somewhat intru-
sive when regarded as a means of infringing the stately
simplicity of the original proposal. From the portico
formed by this colonnade, access is obtained to the great
hall by three doors of stately proportions.
The flanking wings, of which repeated mention has
been made, are slightly recessed, and each is ornamented
by five square pillars, crowned by Corinthian capitals, of
great power and beauty, and surmounted by a continua-
tion of the frieze. The whole length of the building, from
south to north, including the projecting steps at the south
end, and the projection of the semicircle at the north,
is 500 feet ; the length of the façade, exclusive of the two
named projections, being about 450 feet.
The semicircular projection at the north, or Shaw's-
brow end of the building, is surrounded by a cornice and
entablature on the same level, and similar to that which
extends along the eastern side, and is continued on the
western front. The wall of the semicircle is pierced by
several windows, and its plainness is relieved by eight en-
gaged Corinthian columns, with fluted shafts and rich
capitals.

The west front is much less ornate in style than the
east—its chief ornamentation consisting in a projection
which corresponds in magnitude
with that on the eastern
side; from the character of which, however, it differs in
many important particulars. Conspicuous among these
are the absence of the charming colonnade and noble flight
of steps which, taken together, form so fascinating a
characteristic of the side already described ; their place
being occupied by a basement wall, out of which spring
thirteen massive square pillars similar to those ornament-
ing the recessed wings on the east, but which have no
place on this side. By a peculiar management of these
pillars, and the entablature they carry, a novel effect, and
a pleasing variety of aspect, have been attained. The
space between the entablature and the main wall is not
roofed in, and the free admission of illuminating power
above, as well as between the pillars, thus secured, pro-
duces a charming play of light, which, together with an
absence of massed shadow, gives to this aspect of the
edifice an air of softened pensiveness and quiet beauty,
such as is but rarely met with.