Year: 1876

Yet if they had chosen the part of ridi-
cule or even of indignation, 1t would
have been impossible to blame them,
for the plain truth is that whether we examine
the plans or the elevations, we find every KIND
of mistake that it is possible TO commit In de-
signing public building, and some that Wouid
be incredible if the plans did not swear TO
their existence in plain black and white.


We hope it is not true that the architect OF
the Capitol has designed creditable buildings
at Ottawa for the Canadian Government be-
cause, if he can design buildings not wanting
in absurdity and with some provision, now
ever slight, for the proper transaction OF the
business they are designed fOr-the PAIN
full question arises, Why did he design
a building for us in which no absurdity Is
wanting, aud which is absolutely united tor
it's purpOsef


We prefer to think it is the same old story
that building was needed, and that instead
Of calling on the few men we have
who have shown themselves capable OF
designing large building, the thing
was thrown like a bone to competitors, ana
was snatched up and carried off by sturdy
builder innocent of any knowledge OF the first
principles of architecture, and backed by an
army of greedy contractors. The sole aim
of tho design offered and accepted was
to make stunning show, to out
Herod Herod with tawdry magniiicence on
the outside, and to let comfort and con-
yenience, nay the absolute necessities OF the
business of the Legislators and judges FOR
whose sole use the building is intended, go
hang 1t costs the lucllless Senators, Repre-
sentatives and Judges, to say nothing or
the lobbyists, miles of weary steps up
tiresome stairs and along dimly-lighted
narrow alleys to reach the unventilated and
impossible to be-ventilated rooms in which
they are to pass their day, and it would be
comica if it were not exasperatlng, to study
out the ways in which the architect has con-
trivcd to make the Senate and Assembly rooms
first inaccessible and then unendurabe.


The Report however, wisely gives more
time TO showing how much can be done to
undo the blunders thus far committed, and to
secure some of the many needed advantages
that the archi ect has missed. 1t is unfOrtu-
nate that men 80 competent to advise In this
matter had not taken it in hand earlier but
then it is fortunate that they have taken in hand
so soon. They have saved the Dulluuls III ltS
exterior at lie st, and they have done more
than could have been reasonably hoped for to
save the plans of the Senate and Assembly
Rooms. The actual construction OF the build
ing, if their advice shall be taken, will be re-
deemed from the waste of materials and space
that has for its only excuse that it is the fruit
of ignorance and not of fraud and while we
shall have q building whose magnih-
cent sue will delight the eye, and
whose grand proportions will make no dis
cord with the sweep of the hills and
the arch of the sky, we shall have the comfort
of knowing that it is built to endure, of the
solidest materials, and-no tritling recommends
tion-that its cost, though worthy of the
Empire State will have been less than that OF
the structure of shams and shifts it has so
royalty displaced.