BIRMINGHAM FREE GRAMMAR SCHOOL. liSS 



" The structure resolves itself, externally, into a regular quad- 

 rangular figure, extending 174 feet in front, 125 feet in flank, and 

 60 feet in height. Internally, two courts, of the same figure, are 

 formed, around and between which the several parts of the building 

 are arranged. The main body of the front elevation is composed of 

 two stories, which are indicated by series of windows, enriched with 

 tracery of the period to which the composition belongs — the lower 

 being comparatively low, with very flat arches of what are termed 

 the four-centred, or obtuse-angled and contrasted form ; the up- 

 per are lofty, with arches of similar form, but of higher eleva- 

 tion. These divide that part of the elevation into seven minor 

 compartments, which are separated by buttresses, diminishing as 

 they ascend, and terminating above an embattled parapet, in pinna- 

 cles, enriched with crockets and finials. The principal entrance is 

 in the central compartment of the ground-story, and is formed by a 

 characteristic porch, so designed as not to break up the harmony 

 and continuity of the composition. The elevation generally, 

 however, includes two wings, which stand so far forward as to 

 range with the buttresses of the main body in the lower story, and 

 running up to the height of the main body, terminate in small 

 gables. These wings are enriched each by a lofty oriel window of 

 two stories in height, corbelling from the level of the principal 

 floor. The other windows are plain, rectangular, and mullioned, 

 with label heads in collegiate style. The flanks exhibit three 

 tiers, or stories, of windows similar to the ordinary windows 

 of the wings in front. The rear front is of a similar composition to 

 the principal front, as regards the wings. In the centre are seven 

 large pointed windows, filled with muUions and tracery in the prin- 

 cipal floor ; and in the lower story there is a series of open arches, 

 forming a covered play -ground, with a cloister for the boys during 

 inclement weather. 



" The principal entrance from New-street opens upon a vestibule, 

 on the right and left of which are two subordinate school-rooms, 

 occupying the ground or lower story of the main body of the front, 

 from the windows of which they receive their light. Onward the 

 vestibule leads into a gallery, or corridor, separating the two inter- 

 nal quadrangular courts, and out into the vaulted and groined 

 ground-floor of the main body of the rear front, which communicates, 

 by its open arcade, with the play-ground. Turning to the right, 

 after passing through the entrance vestibule, there is a handsome 

 stone staircase leading up to a corridor corresponding with that 

 below, but of much greater height, according with the greater ge- 



