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

was designed : but, alas
id the snows of a

which rests upon

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 facade 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
"ghtly decorated, is raised for the purpose of securing
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

attic s
height to

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,
the length of the facade, exclusive of the two
ons, being about 450 feet.

named proje
The serail

'circular pro

eetion at the north, or Shaw's-

)row enc

irate in a contemplated open square ; in its progress south-
wards cutting off a portion of the Royal Amphitheatre, and
a portion of St. John's Market. The grandeur and. com-
pleteness of this latter plan has much-to recommend it. It
would open up a breathing space in a crowded and valuable
portion of the town ; and in the new: street would afford
space for the introduction of an improved species of street
architecture ; while along its whole line,. looking towards
the north, the lovely porticos of St. George's-hall, with its
graceful columns and characteristic sculpture, would form
a noble termination to the vista.