105 



SKETCHES BY A PRACTISING ARCHITECT. 

 No. VII. 



*' A thing of shreds and patches." 



A GKNTLEMAN Called on me some weeks back to 

 know whether I would receive his son as an articled 

 clerk, to which I took the liberty of replying, that 

 the willingness of an architect to undertake the 

 instruction of a youth, should, in a great measure, 

 depend upon the real willingness of the latter to 

 receive that instruction. To this the applicant 

 acceded ; politely stating his conviction, that, should 

 his " boy '' be placed in my office, no attention on 

 my part would be wanting. The conference on this 

 occasion was brief; for the subject of "terms" was 

 next touched upon, evidently to the discomfiture of 

 my visitor, who, nevertheless, managed a tolerably 

 graceful exit, under intimation of calling again. 



Two days after, the gentleman made good his 

 word, and re-appeared with his " boy," — of Corin- 

 thian proportions, as to tallness, and bearing marks 

 of having 



" Discontinued school above a twelve-month." 



He was dressed after the most approved fashion, 

 and greeted me with a kind of sickly bow, as the 

 father introduced him — 



" My son, sir." 



The progress of conversation soon developed the 

 qualifications of the young gentleman. By his 

 mother's particular request, he was to climb no 

 ladders — mount no scaffolds. At his father's urgent 

 desire, he was to be put in the way of ascending the 

 topmost height of his profession. According to his 

 own agreement, he was to do no cross multiplication, 

 and to stand exempt from all co-operation with 

 vulgar workmen and " measures." Having ventured 

 to explain the utter incompatibility of the father's 

 desire with the stipulations of mother and son, I 

 bade them a very respectful farewell ; nor did I see 

 more of this hopeful youth, until a few days past, 



VOL. v.— 183.S. o 



