1839.] 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



19S 



As in my last discourse I enteredl (On a consideration of the Zoological rela- 

 tions of the strata and the conneiiion which they bear to animated nature, I 

 purpose, in the discussion of this cisning, to consider the rocks as so much 

 inert matter, adapted, however, foi* the purposes of mankind, in particular as 

 regards that art of which you are professors. We commence then with a 

 view of these substances which a-i comprised under the convenient name 

 of rocks, and which, in fact, chiesiy consist of indurated sands, clays, and 

 limes — which, as I have already stated, once existed in the state either of 

 sand, or mud, or fluid ; and I will cGiimence by pointing out the nature of these 

 substances and the principles by which they are combined together. All 

 bodies are divided by the chemist i:ito simple and compound ; simple sub- 

 stance5 being those out of which r.othing' different from themselves can be 

 obtained; the compound, those whith contain two or more clemeals. The 

 number of elementary bodies" at piisent recognised is 53, the amount was 

 formerly greater, but has been matirially reduced by the investigations and 

 experiments of modern science, bouiss, which sometime since were considered 

 simple, being proved, by recent analysis, to bo compound. Although the 

 number of elements amounts to 53, yet that of minerals, which they form, does 

 not reach 4(J0 ; a fact which affords I beautilul nnalogy,with similar restrictions 

 imposed on the animal kingdom. We know that certain limits are assigned 

 on the production of animals so as to prevent the intermixture of species and 

 the consequent confusion of races. In like manner the multiplication of 

 minerals is governed by strict laws, with the obviously similar design of pre- 

 venting the confusion which would arise from their combination being left 

 wholly unchecked. The chiof ingredients of the rocks are the nine earths, 

 silex, alumina, lime, glucine, zircon, yttriti, barytes, strontia, and magnesia, 

 which, with the non-metallic substances, oxygen, hydrogen, nitrogen, carbon, 

 sulphur, chlorine, fluorine, and phosphorus, with potassium and sodmm, consti- 

 tute the principal part of the generally prevailing minerals and rocks. The 

 common sedimentary rocks are usually composed of the three first of the 

 above named materials ; flint, clay, ot lime ; and they each possess a peculiar 

 cleavage or fracture, which is invariable in each class of substances. 

 Thus, if a flint be broken, it has a glassy or conchoidal fracture, and a 

 cutting edge ; but if chalk or marl be fractured, they have a dull or earthy 

 edge, while on fracturing a chrystal of carbonate of lime every fragment 

 preserves more or less distinctly a rhomboidal form ; a fact which shows 

 the poweilessness of man over nature, and his subjection to the laws which 

 regulate matter ; since it has justly been observed we cannot break a stone 

 but in one of nature's joinings. The lecturer then proceeded to the 

 subject of stratification. IJc observed, that a stratified rock is one whose 

 bounding surfaces are parallel, or nearly so, for great distances, thus com- 

 posing a larger or tabular nia^s, which is called a stratum or bed ; and a 

 number of these strata, possessing a con\mon character, and having a 

 common origin, are called a formation — as the chalk formation, lias forma- 

 tion, &c. The beds, as already mentioned, must have been deposited in a 

 horizontal position, but they have since been subjected to so many changes 

 and revolutions, to so many liftings, sinkings, and movements, by a force 

 acting from below, that they may either be horizontal, inclined, vertical, 

 curved, t-ontortud, or even as IVIr. iVIurchison has lately shown, reversed, and 

 completely overturned. Stratified rocks are usually large, and sometimes 

 especially lacustrine deposits, thinly laminated. The iinstratified rocks pre- 

 sent none of this parallelibni of bounding surface, they exhibit in general the 

 appearance of shapeless lumps, and though tliey are sometimes divided into 

 blocks — granite in particular, which assume the appearance of beds — this 

 structure may be distinguished both by the character of the rock itself and the 

 comparatively small extent to which these extend. When the height of these 

 blocks very much exceeds their breadth the structure is called columnar, as 

 is fretiueutly the case with basalt, porphyry, and greenstone. Veins and 

 fissures in modern rocks are filled with bones ; in ancient with minerals, as 

 silver, lead, tin, &c. If the fissure be such as to cause a displacement of 

 strata, it is called a fault; these have their disadvantages and advantages; 

 they counteract the tendency of beds to plunge to depths inaccessible to 

 human power and skill : they divide a bed of coal into several stages, and 

 render it accessible; and when filled with clay, act as a dam to keep out 

 water, and prevent the mines from being flooded. 



Geographical distribution is most widely developed ou the continent of 

 Europe — France, Italy, Germany, Hungary ; on the continents of Asia and 

 America, and in Australia. They present, aiuong other phenomena, the fact 

 that from the prevalence of lacustrine deposits the beds of vast bodies of 

 fresh water, this part of the world appears to have been for a vast period 

 the site of lakes as vast as those which exist in the North American continent 

 at the present day ; and from tlie remains of extinct volcanoes, volcanic 

 power seems to have been called forth to an immense scale. In this country 

 w^jhave only pliocene represented by the crag of Norfolk and Suftblk, a vast 

 aocumulation of sand and gravel deposits lying in chalk. The miocene is 

 altogether wanting in any well-defined bed. Eocene exists in the London 

 basin. This vast gulph of an ancient sea of chalk is bounded on the south 

 by the North Downs, the hills of Keigate, Sutton, and Godstone, and extends 

 on the west beyond High Elm Hill, Berkshire, and on the north-west is 

 flanked by the chalk hills of Wiltshire, Berkshire, O.xfordshire, Buckingham- 

 shire, and Hertfordshire; it spreads over Essex, a considerable partof Sufl'olk. 

 Epping, and Hainault forests, the whole of Middlesex, and a portion of 

 Buckinghamshire. On the east it is open to the sea, the Isle of Sheppy 

 being an outwork of the same deposit. It is conceived to have been ah 

 estuary, from the vast number of fossil fruits and other spoils of the land. 

 The stitf blue or black clay, called London clay, contains marine exuvia, 

 shells, sharks, teeth, fish, &c. The heaths in the neighbourhood of London 

 are marine sands, hs Bagshot, Friraly, Purbiight, and Hampstead, I 



In alluding to the geology of Auvergne, Mr. Richardson observed that, in 

 addition to the other attractions of Auvergne, he was indebted to Mr. Dela- 

 behce for information that the architect will there find samples of the earliest 

 style of Byzantine architecture. Mr. D. adds, that as an architect is compelled 

 to travel, in order to complete his education, an attention to geology will 

 enable him to understand the nature of the stone employed in architecture, 

 and the reasons why employed. And allow me to add, that these advantages 

 will not be confined to mere profit; but will tend to invigorate our faculties, 

 and extend the horizon of our mind. If, as who can doubt, the aphorism of 

 Lord Bacon be true, that all study is valuable, what study so instructive, so 

 fitted to improve us, as that which teaches us the comparative insignificance 

 of ourselves, and the wisdom and power of our great Creator ? 

 2'2d April, 1839 — Earl de Grey in the chair. 

 The secretary announced that the Council had admitted Alfred I3atsoii as 

 student. Robert William Wylnc, Esq., of New River-head, and Samuel 

 Lapidge, of Derby-street, Westminster, were elected associate.?. 



The following donations, &c., were announced: — By the Institute of Civil 

 Engineers, Transactions of the Institution, Part I of vol. 3. By M. Carl 

 Tottie, Elevation of Uoyal Palace at Stockholm (drawing) ; copy of 1st voll 

 of Sepulchral Monuments. By B. Wyon, Esq., engraving of the great sea. 

 of England. By H. E. Kendall, fellow; select views of Roman antiquities, 

 by George Wightwick : Palazzi di Genova, Jacobi ; Lauri Antiquoe urbis 

 splendor. By Sir Jetfry Wyatville, hon. fellow; Terra cotta figure of Inigo 

 Jones. By Ruysbeck ; original bust of James Wyatt, architect. By Rossi ; 

 architectural allegory, by Angelica Kaulfman ; and the Transactions of the 

 Society of Arts, 35 vols. By T. L. Donaldson, hon. secretary, Vitruvius 

 BIpontine edition, 1807. By J. B. Papworth, fellow, Vitruvius Delact 

 edition. 



Mr. Godwin look occasion to mention the establishment at Oxford of a 

 society for promoting the study of gothic architecture among the clergy, and 

 commented on the probable good results. Mr. Fowler and Mr. Donaldson 

 spoke on the same subject. 



His Lordship, the President, then proceeded to distribute the medals awarded 

 as follows: — In delivering the medal to Mr. Robinson, V. P., the repre- 

 sentative of the first candidate, absent in the country, his lordship observed 

 that he felt happy in conferring another tribute of respect on the same 

 individual who had again deserved it. As it was the desire of the Institute that 

 a candidate wiio received two medals should consider the second as an 

 advance upon the first, they had granted the augmentation of a gold rim, 

 which he felt happy in saying that Mr. Sharpe highly deserved. — To Mr. 

 Pocock, the Earl remarked, that it was .also for the second time that a distinc- 

 tion was conferred on him, and that in order not to relax competition, the 

 Institute had determined in all cases of candidates previously distinguished, 

 gaining a prize, to confer a similar one also on the candidate next in merit. If, 

 said the noble Earl, addressing Mr. Hall, we feel a pleasure in rewarding our 

 own members we feel one equally sincere in conferring our prizes on those 

 from a distance, as thus we are assured of the extension of our influence, and 

 particularly in a case where your father holds the high position of president 

 of a similar institution at Manchester. 



We felt great pleasure at seeing the numerous attendance, and among tlie 

 company we recognised the Marquis of Northampton, Sir Henry Ellis, and 

 Sir JeftVey WyatviUe. 



To Samuel Sharpe, associate, for the restoration of the baronial castle of 

 Sherifi' Hutton, the Soanc medallion with a gold rim. 



To ^^'illiam Willmen Pocock, associate, and Edward Hall, of Manchester, 

 for their essays on the peculiar characteristics which distinguish Roinan from 

 Grecian architecture, with particular reference to the works of the ancient 

 Romtms — the medals of merit. 



A paper was read by Ambrose Poynter, fellow, on the parallel styles and 

 periods of Gothic architecture in France and England. 



The lecturer commenced by apologising for intruding upon the attention of 

 his audience on a subject so backnied as the progress of the Gothic style in 

 England, but observed that this progress was most efficiently illustrated by 

 referring to the course of architecture in France. It is then seen that through 

 a great portion of the architectural histories of the two countries that there is a 

 great coincidence in each in the durations of epochs of style ; and, in fact, in 

 many instances wo can only explain the phenomena of architecture here by 

 its cognate works in the Norman provinces of France. This relation the ac- 

 companying tabic will serve to illustrate, of which the French portion is de- 

 rived from M. Comon of the Antiquarian Society of Caen, and the English is 

 modified from the works of Mr. Rickman. 



CO.MrARATiVE CHRONOLOGY OF FRENCH AND ENGLISH JlEUtiiVAI, 



KiiijUsli, 



Norman • ^ 



Early English , 

 Decorated English 



Perpendicular 



French, 



ARCHITECTURE. 

 Tears, 



950, 



1000 f Romanesque. 



IOjO' 

 I 1 100 [• Transition. 

 1 1150* 



S 1-200 \ Primordial Gothic 

 ) l^oO \ 



1300 '''*' epoch. ( Secondary or Gothiquc 

 I 13j0 ^ 2d epoch. ( Rayonnant. 

 '1400 J 

 I 1450 ^ 1st epoch. 



•}^00|2d epoch. 



I Tertiary or Gothique 

 ■> Flamboyant, 



