1839.] 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAI,, 



171 



its pedestal, and even there it is not pecnliaily fitted to show advanta- 

 geously. Mayliap the spiral reliefs cii the Trajan column are tlie 

 fittest for a military structure ; but, independent of the cost, they could 

 not be made very distinctly visible at more than a liundrBd feet in 

 height, and in a London atmosphere not so liigh as that for any long 

 period. But any attempt to surround the base of a column with cither 

 standing or sitting figures must end in its appearing at a distance, like 

 an illumination candle stuck in clay. It is a ridiculous comparison I 

 allow, but I cannot divest myself of it. The base of a statue will, if 

 I think rightly, be capable of much and very appropriate decoration. 

 I would certainly eschew all Neptnnes, Britannias, and Victories ; all 

 very well in themselves, but m\ich too common-place for such a work. 

 Should groups of statues, or pannels, or other recipients of bassi-relicvi 

 be introduced, I strongly think that the great art will be, as nuich as 

 possible, to make them, as it were, grow out of the masonry, in snch- 

 wise as to appear an integral portion of the pile ; so that, although 

 they might indeed be removed without injury to the stability, yet still 

 that taking them away should detract from the completeness of the 

 work. There should be no flutter, no pinnacling in the outline ; all 

 should be in calm and dignified repose ; and the whole mass be such as 

 that, while at a distance its harmonious proportion should delight, 

 upon a nearer view its sculpture should be instructive and interesting, 

 and upon the closest inspection found to be wrought in the highest 

 style of art. 



If I have rightly read the relics of ancient art, such was their prin- 

 ciple. The same correct principle will, upon careful consideration, be 

 found to prevail throughout styles, in many respects as wide asunder as 

 the antipodes ; but wherever it has prevailed there will grandeur and 

 beauty be found combined. 



I feel the subject has led nie far beyond my original expectation, so 

 far indeed that I fear few will care to follow it ; but if they do, I think 

 it will be felt that of all difficult tasks the composition of an isolated 

 monument is incalculably the most difficult, and that it will be ex- 

 tremely unfair harshly to censure failure in such an attempt. 



It is to be recollected that all competitions arc in tliemselves tasks ; 

 that in such a competition as this the mind is, as it were, overwhelmed 

 with the greatness of the character of Nelson, and overreaches itself 

 in striving to grasp at an imaginar}' vigour of expression. It is also to 

 be borne in mind, that if such men as Nelson and Wellington arise but 

 with centuries between them, artists equal to the task of commemora- 

 ting their deeds are of similarlj rare growth. The enrapt spirits of 

 Homer, or TEschylus, or Milton, might shadow forth their achievements ; 

 the mighty geniiis of Flaxman could almost soar a kindred flight, but 

 even he failed in commemorating Nelson, marvellous as were his com- 

 positions on other subjects. Even if, in this second competition, not 

 one of the designs should lie fitted for the purpose, it will ill become 

 critics to censure the failure so harshly and unfeelingly as has been 

 done. 'I'hey, as authors, must be aware that the happiest thought 

 does not come for the seeking, that it is often the lightning glance from 

 heaven, darting when least expected ; and connnon charity should 

 teach them forbearance from unmerited insult. I have already said 

 that 1 do not believe any one of the committee can carry out his own 

 ideas of what Nelson's monument ought to be, even if he be able to 

 form any idea at all. I fearlessly say the same of others, and would 

 advise them to think so, at least until they have fairly set to work and 

 wrought out such a design as shall far excel those of the men they 

 sneer at. 



I know my own weakness, my own inability, and can tliereforc make 

 large allowances for failure in a task so diflicult ; still do I not despair 

 of the genius of English art, and shall most cordially delight in the 

 success of any of my countrymen. 



I have the honour, Sir, to be 



Your constant subscriber, 



OMEGA. 



THE ROYAL EXCHANGE. 



Sir, — The system pursued of late years in the management of 

 architectural competitions, has been attended with manifold evils, and, 

 beyond <-U doubt, fraught with gross and palpable injustice. Hastily 

 and inconsiderately commenced — under the control of persons unfitted 

 to sit in judgment on the various designs referred to their decision, 

 they have in too many instances been attended by results, injurious to 

 the best interests of Art, — unfair and unjust to its professors — and 

 unfavorable to the public at large. 



In making these remarks, I do not of course, intend to attack the 

 principles upon which competitions arc based, — properly conducted, 

 their tendency is unquestionably, not only to call out the talent and 

 genius of the experienced artist ; but to rouse a spirit of emulation in 

 the young prgfessor, and encourage that rising merit, \vhich without 



such a stimulus would remain undeveloped, and without such a means 

 of exercise, unknown and unappreciated. But the thing which I wish 

 most anxiously to press on the attention of the profession at large, 

 through the medium of your columns, is mainly this, — The extreme 

 defectiveness of the present system ; the total want of security, which 

 there is under its operation, that fairness and impartiality will be 

 strictly observed towards all, and the urgent necessity which conse- 

 quently exists for a searching and efficient remedy. 



It would be needless to go into any lengthened proof of this asser- 

 tion ; the voice uf public opinion has frequently been most unequivo- 

 cally expressed in denunciation of the present mode of conducting 

 arcliitectural competitions ; and, to mention no others, the whole 

 proceedings connected with the new Houses of Parliament, spc:ik with 

 suflScieut clearness to all, by way of warning. Upon that point, how- 

 ever, it is nut my intention to enlarge ; and I only make the allusion 

 in order that architects may gather from the recollections and expe- 

 rience of the past a valuable lesson for their guidance and direction 

 for the future. 



Architects have been invited to send in plans for re-building the 

 Riiyal Exchange, and as a preliminary, they are compelled to pay one 

 pound to obtain the requisite instructions. I pass over the unreason- 

 ableness of this demand, which makes all the competing architects, 

 except the successful three, actually pay one pound, in order to have 

 the opportunity of embarking their time, talents, and labour, on what 

 must prove to them unrequited exertion. I have more important 

 considerations to urge, of paramount and leading interest, to all who 

 intend to compete for the proposed edifice. 



And I ask them plainly, what guarantee have they, that the present 

 competition will be conducted on the principles of fair dealing, 

 im]);irtiality, and justice? On what grounds are they convinced (for 

 the act of entering the competition shows that they have that convic- 

 tion) that it is the intention of those upon whom devolves the duty of 

 adjudication, to go into a strict and searching examination of their 

 designs; making their decision according to merit, a7id merit alone; 

 and selecting only those, which while they conform to the instructions, 

 are distinguished alike by the beauty of the exterior faeade and the 

 convenience of the internal arrangement. I say, deliberately, that at 

 present, there exists no such guarantee, either in the wording of the 

 published advertisement, or the printed instructions of the Gresham 

 Committee : and yet, unless architects can obtain from the authorised 

 parties some pledge more explicit — some statement more distinct — some 

 promise more definite, it is really madness in any one who values his 

 time, station, or character, to embark in so uncertain a venture, when, 

 perhaps after having spent months of concentrated cflbrt, together 

 with a vast amount of anxiety, fatigue, and money, in getting up his 

 designs, he may be coolly superseded, by some favoured rival ; who, 

 without being able to lay claim to any extraordinary degree of talent, 

 yet possesses a larger amount of personal interest and local in- 

 fluence. 



What then is the duty of architects at this juncture as professors of 

 a liberal art, and men of spirit and independence ? Undoubtedly it is 

 to bestir themselves, and act with unanimity and firmness. 



Should they accept the present indefinite invitation, which eon- 

 tains no guarantee beyond that which the Parliament House Compe- 

 tition included, and which will probably — unless something be done, — 

 be productive of dissatisfaction to all parties concerned, and disappoint- 

 ment to the public ; they will have none but themselves to blame, iu 

 having, contrary to repeated advice, and with all the experience of 

 former competitions before their eyes, tamely submitted and acquiesced 

 in the terms proposed, when by the adoption of a more vigorous course 

 of conduct, they might have effected an altogether diflerent result. 



In a report upon public competitions, Jatcly published by the Royal 

 Institute of British Architects,— every architect is recommended, 

 individually, to address in writing to the Secretary, or other authorised 

 party, the most searching inquiries upon every doubtful or indistinct 

 point, and not to rest satisfied with any answer which fails to place 

 everything necessary to be known, in the clearest point of view. This 

 mode, however, seems open to many serious objections, — as it would 

 not only give the Secretary of the Gresham Committee a great deal of 

 trouble to answer the innumerable queries that would be put to him 

 bv individuals : but also, being in all cases strictly private, no infor- 

 mation would thereby be afforded to the profession generally, of the 

 intentions of the Committee, — which information, if if could be obtained, 

 might be a bond fdc pledge on their part, of their determination to act 

 ■with strict fairness and impartiality. 



1 ot then the architects— as the only alternative — convene a public 

 mc. ling ; let the leading members of tlie profession attend : let them 

 del' rate a certain number of their most influential men to request of 

 the ijresham Committee, a fuller and more minute explanation of their 

 jnteytions in reference to the Exchange Coinpetitiyn ; let thcjn inquire 



