The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-02-17

sleeps back This is a good precaution, for, in
case Mr. GodaIt should arrive in place where
no supper would be ready for him, he will have
his sheep 10 make mutton chops with. b. II. h.
AMERICANS IN PARIS.
G. FesmiDg. New York, Miss Richardson, Boston,
j. b Miller and lady, De- Theo 8 Lowttser ~ York,
troit, l.. h. May, New York,
J d Green Cambridge, VIM. B. James Boston,
w. Birney, Cincinnati, St. John Buffalo
L. Il Wilson, Philadelphia, Miss Richardson Boston,
onis Oomtesse, Perry, l.. Murray Perkins, Rah-
Dr. san:on and lady, @. + Root, Network,
New York, T. W. Bull, Baltimore,
H Embury, New York, 3. NJ. shserly, New York.
Y. 3 Jesup Now York j n. T Reed BoN on,
J. r. Davis, Phiadeip hia, Edward HERMAN NY
The Worlds Fair-The Crystal Palace
The Reception OF Goods.
From the London Times, Jan 30
A fortnight has elapsed since our last notice OF
the Crystal Palace, and, though in that space OF
time the progress which has been made does not
strike the eye so much as during the earlier stages
of construction, II is not the less real. The hrst
efforts of the contractors were necessarily directed
10 the tack OF covering and closing in the ground to
be occupied their next business was 10 complete
the details and give finished effect the whole.
To a spectator the former part of the process
the most striking, from was the marvellous ra-
pidity with which the vast fabric grew. The por-
ZION of the work now in hand affects the senses
less strongly, because minor points are swallowed
up in the imprs ssons Of imme osity. lghness, and
regularity of proportion, which the building COZ
veys. The novelty OF the conce ption has already
ia great measure, been realized, and il presence
Ut that the hnal details OF execution are of COM
paratvely little interest. In very few days the
building will be so far completed as to be ready
for the reception of goods BY the end of the week
II will have been ennrely glazed in, and the floor
ing of the ground area and galleries, as far as II
has been ordered, will have been laid. The great
central avenue will not be boarded over at pre-
sent in order TO facilitate the transi, of heavy
ticles intended for exhibition. The only part Of
the building where any considerable amount of
work in glazing and flooring now remains 10 be
done is the northeas. corner. Here, therefore, at
present the hands are chiefly employed Other
operations are being carried on simultaneously
The bases and tops of the columns being
clpped, 30 as to give them more finished effect
The external decorations have been commenced,
especially AT the south end of the transept; and il
appears now decided that the colors to be used
blue and white, the wood paneling of the ground
tier being stained TO bring these coors out
more prominently. The commissioners first de-
cison, therefore, that the exterior of the building
should be painted in PLAIN stone color, has been
changed, and the new plan of decoration proposed by
MI. owen Jones adopted instead. Whatever differ
ence of opinion there may We as 10 the taste display
ed by that gentleman in his contemplated mode Of
painting the INTERIOR the praise OF happy selection
of colors for the outside Of the building will not be
der led TO him. The piece already executed at the
south end OF the iransept promises 10 answer ex-
ceedingly well; and, If any doubt remained on the
subject, il would be dissipaied by the view of
small portion of the north front, where specimen
of Mr. Joness plan is exhibited side by side with
the suggestions OF others How tar the murky
atmosphere Of London, rendered doubly injurious
by the uncertainty Of our climate, may Interfere 10
tarnsh and spoil decorations of so light aud brl-
liant character, and so much exposed, is a point
which the commissioners appear willing 10 risk,
nor do they seem afraid of developing to the utmost
extent, by the aid of painting, those impressions of
lghtness, airiness, and transparency which the
style Of constructon;glready so lstrongy conveys.
AS very large proportion Of the exterior is 10 be-
covered with white calico, there appears some
- n N X n thar he whole ms ar Ieas
too much the aspect of gigantic booth, the more
especially as the roof is 10 be- surmouuted with
pofuslon Of flags. The usual attributes OF fair
must be sfully handled, or the Crystal Palace
IN dimensions, glazing and fiashy in appearance,
and having little about it significant of that SOBER
sedate. and seadfast people who have ide il
their house Of reception for the industrial skill of
the world While we indicate this danger, we are
not afraid that il will be incurred. The effect of
the transept, with It's gittering arch. and of the
eastern and western facades. with their terraced
outlines, will not be thrown away. These objects
must attract general admration, and mpart dignity
and elevation TO the whole structure.
While the work Of decoration has been common
ced externally, II also makes some progress within
the building Hitherto there hes boen means of
fairly estimating the merits OF Mr.. Owen Jones's
proposed plan OF internal decoration A specimen
was executed IN part Of the building where va
riety OF circumstances contributed 10 give II very
dlsagreeable, we might say, vulgar effect The
condemnation Of II was so general as TO be almost
VI animous, and the commissi oners at their first
meeting, held within the building, pressed Mr..
Jones hard TO modify his plan. We were even in.
formed by Of the secretaries that they had de-
cided that a considerable modification should take
place that the amount of blue and white should be
increased, the former being intensified in shade,
and that the yellow and red should be reduced,
lighter red being used The changes thus con-
templaied we al the time approved, and we still adj
here 10 that opinion. But il appears that we have
been misled as to the decision OF the commission
az and hat IN rrs Rt Fac NJ
been left to carry out his original plan with two
very slight alterations. The first OF these il that
the ridges OF the roof are 10 be marked out by blue
lines instead of red; the second, that the sashbars
are 10 be painted white instead Of yellow. When
man Of Mr. Jones's emins nee as decorator Is
intrusted with work Of this kind, II is only fair
that he should be allowed, both by the public who
criticize and by the commissioners who employ
him. considerable license in the execution Of his
designs II is also, on the other hand, but reason
able that he should not peryersey adhere to his
own preccnceived ideas OF certain decorative
style to be ADOPTED, when both the commissioners
and the public have urged on him the p.opriety OF
some notifications. The effect Of the small por-
lion OF painting already executed IL not so uufavor-
able as from The experimental specimen might be
Thus Is due partly 10 the position in
which that specimen was executed, and partly 10 |
m improvement in the tone Of the coors used, the
blue especially being more positive. We still, how
sver, cannot diyest ourselves of the idea that the
tyle OF decoration Is not what II ought TO be The
-oef 81 the transept, which has now been painted,
md portion Of the gallery space above the grand /
entrance, will give visitors who wish TO form an l
opinion on the subject an opportunity OF Judging /
or themselves. IL u the aggregate Of indiyI- |
iual tastes concuung with il which alone ewes |
weight 10 public criticism, and II Mr.. Owen |
ones still finds It uphill work 70 bring people |
found 10 his designs tor decorating the Crystal /
faisce, We would put II 10 him whether an |
obstinate adherence TO his own views on the sub |
ect rs hkely to concillate appreciation. The rules l
~ decoration, however well defined in ordinary /
circumstances. cannot be apple "a with certainty to
IN entirely new construction OF edifiCe nor can the
rec, dents furnished by ancient or modern art be |
i All confidently appealed 10 with reference to |
iuuding which 10 size, Ia materials, in proportions.
md N the effect of external light ul IT, entirely
Without parallel in the world The pictures OF \
he interior. as u will be when The decorations are