Gilpin observer., 1913-11-27

lltSe are VI Lidu6CoHuSAt LID
torical interest. viz. the Tower.
Westminster abbey and Westminster
hall. When buildings have existed for
centuries, the natural feeling Is to take
it for granted that they will live on for
centuries more. But this easy-going
faith has little foundation in fact, as
all who have the care of ancient mon
uments know only too well. Old build
ings require constant attention and
frequent reparation; but time comes
when something more is required. and
we often hear with dismay of the fail
ure OF foundations in various parts Of
the country. Fortunately. owing to the
remarkable progress of practical sci
ence, experts are ready to undertake
the renewal of the strength of these
foundations. II thier aid is not called
upon too late.
Great Timber Roof.
The thought of any danger to the
wondrous building known to US as
Westminster hall. which was oroginal-
ly added to the palace of Westminster
by William Rufus, is severe shock to
all who have seen its beauty and know
its remarkable history. 1t is an abid-
ing record of most or the great events
of history preserved in stone. Here
it is not the foundations that are at
fault. The walls OF Rufus hall were
raised on solid foundations and are
sound, although the paving of the hall
was placed ON Thames mud. 1t is the
grand timber roof. raised by Richard
H., that is decayed in parts. and
urgently needs repair. The roof has
been partially repaired at various
times during its centuries of existence,
and It has always been carefully in
spected. Lately fears respecting its
condition have been aroused, and the
Office Of works has published valu.
OF the structure. So far. this is as It
should be. The evil being recognized
In time, we may be sure that proper
means will be taken to place this no
bic structure In safety for many years
to come. The glorious hammer roof
is recognized as the finest example OF
the Gothic open timber roof in exist
ence, and for this reason alone its
preservation is duty OF the most re-
sponsfbie character. In the construc-
ton of this roof Irish oak (said to be
abhorrent 70 the spider) was used. and
the workmen employed In inspection
affirm that they have never seen Q
spider among the rafters. Tom Fuller
refers to its -cobwebless beams" The
causes OF decay are: % The work OF
the beetle Tor, rather. the larva Of the
beetle. or worm). which attacks the
wood only where the timber has
been honeycombed was there any de.
cided sign Of decay" showing holes on
the face OF the beam. (2) Dry rot,
found chiefly where the timbers have
been subjected to dampness. It has
attacked the wall posts. particularly
those at the northern end OF the hall,
where they are embedded in the wall
and packed round with soft rubble.
This danger was apparently foreseen
by the skilled carpenters who erected
left between the wall posts and the
wall to admit the free passage OF air. :"
Much OF the timber has become OF a
rich golden brown, the result of de-
cay. but this Is only on the outside.
and most OF the timber is hard and
sound The principal rafters have
been extensively repaired at different
times. and at one period the trusses
were all systematically strengthened
by series Of wrought-iron tie rods.
1t Is supposed that the larger portion
of the structure IL sound. A thorough