1839.] 



THE CIVIL ENGINERR AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. 



2J« 



fit sciilpuiii'. As It ri'g.mls the cost, I have confined myself within the 

 limits miiiica l»y llie cttmniiUee. 



Model No. 39, E. If. Bail//, R. A. — An obelisk raised to the memory of 

 Nelson by his grateliil country. At the h.ise, our great naval cotnmauder is 

 reiireseuted supporting the imperial standard ; on liis left stands the genius 

 of Britain, hailing with attection the hero of Trafalgar ; his attendant. Vic- 

 tory, lieing seated on his riglit. At the hack of the obelisk rests the Nile — 

 Neptune with the subordinate deities of the ocean, form a triumphal proces- 

 sion round the rock on which the monument is placed, thereby indicating 

 that the victories of Nelson were as extensive as the element on which he 

 fought. 



The he ght of the monument is intended to be 80 feet ; the diameter of tlie 

 steps t)ic same extent, and the height of Nelson to be 9 feet ; the other 

 (igures in projiortion as in Ihc sketch. To execute the whole monument in 

 Kavacciuni marble, (Ihc same as (he arch before Buckingham Palace isnuilt 

 of,) 22,000;. If executed in bronze, 30,000/. 



Model No. 40, E. II. Baihj, II. A. — On four projecting parts of the base 

 are four sea-horses, indicative of the element on which the hero's battles 

 were fought. On three sides of the base are tlu-ee colossal emblematical 

 figures of the Atlantic, the Mediterranean, the Baltic; and on the fourth, 

 that of the genius of Britain. Above these figures are four projecting anti- 

 cpie prows, anil still higher, four figiures of victory hnked hand-in-hand and 

 facing the four cpiarters of the globe. On the summit stands the statue of 

 the immortal hero. 



The cost of erecting this monument would be from 25,000?. to 30,000/., ac- 

 cording to (he magnitude of (he figures. 



Model No. 41, Patric Park. — In tliis design, I devote one group of a 

 victorious hero, 20 feet high, in honour of Nelson's deeds. The statue is 30 

 feet high ; on one side of which, Manhood moiuns the death of Nelson ; on 

 the other. Honour is consoled by the glory and triumphs of Nelson. Executed 

 in Kavaccione marble ; pedestal, &ic., freestone ; 30,000/. 



Model No. 4.5, /. Harrison, of Chester. — In designing a memorial to 

 Nelson, 1 have at the same time endeavoured to arrange a temple to the 

 navy, suitable in its style to the general architecture of Trafalgar-scpiare ; 

 and from its mass, or elevation, not apjiearing to take from the importance of 

 the Gallery, or attempting to rival St. .Martin's spire. 



In the centre of the interior is erected a colossal statue of Nelson, around 

 which are receptacles for the statues of future naval heroes as they arise. 

 The 16 statues under the porticos are of the admirals of England, with the 

 panel above each of them filled with bas-relief, illustrating the principal fea- 

 ture of their professional career. The sculptures in the tynipauums of the 

 pediments, and in the compartments of the base of the obelisk, are intended 

 to carry out a biography of Nelson. And (if the funds pennitted) to com- 

 ])lete the design, the metopes in the fi-ieze should be filled with sculpture, 

 conveving a history of the navy (.after the manner of the Parthenon). The 

 whole surmounted by the obelisk, bearing in letters of gold on its imperish- 

 able sides to the four winds, the future watch-word to naval greatness. The 

 fom- colossal tigm'cs, at the angles of the middle terrace, are symbolical of the 

 Nile, Copenhagen, and Trafalgar subdued, and Thames triumphant. The 

 crocodiles and lions arc to be fitted up as fountains, to play on the anniver- 

 saries of naval victories, having the name of the victory hung in the panel 

 over the four doorways. The s|iace under tlietcnaces are intended as vaults 

 for any usefid pm|iose, to be approached by doorways in the breast walls at 

 the lower side of the sipiare, wliich wHA ailmit of another flight of steps to 

 make up for the dip of the ground. 



The height to the apex of the obelisk is 100 feet; and. consdlucntly, about 

 20 feet higher than (he centre dome of tlio National G.illery. The hcif;li( of 

 the pediments is about 17 I'eet lower (ban that of the gallery; and (be 

 extreme width, from outside of ccdumns, is about 17 feet wider than (he ceni re 

 portico of the gallery, 'lite building, with its relievi's and statues of (he 

 admirals, it is proposed should be executed in one of the approved freestones 

 of the country ; the statue of Nelson in marble, and the symbolical figures, 

 with the crocodiles and lions, in iron. The cost of the whole will be 30,000/. 

 The model is worked to a-four(h of an inch scale. 



Model No. 46, Henry Case. — In composing such a momunent, to be 

 placed in Trafalgar-square, there are many difficulties to he surmounted, in 

 adthtion to that, of doing justice to the achievements of so great a man. 



The large space to be filled, demands considerable extent and importance, 

 in the design itself, while the general ert'ect equally reipihes, that tins shall 

 be obtained, with as httle obstruction as may be possible, to the view of the 

 sunouiiding buildings. These objects combined, seem more easy of attain- 

 ment, by adopting, as the characteristic of the design, the graceful and 

 towering, rather than the massive and severe, taking care that the soliihty 

 and repose, so indisjiensable to greatness, be not lost. 



The character of the place, (one of the >gayest thoroughfares in London), 

 also suggests a similar design. Art will be more effective when it avails itself 

 of feehngs already half formed, and strives to direct them to noble ends, than 

 when it attempts to force them into other channels: — and in the temple, on 

 the mountain, or the sca-shorc, a hero's monumeut, should induce reflection, 

 and impress by solenmity, but in the more busy and crowded parts of a city, 

 where a thousand hurry past, for one who stops to think, it should address 

 itself to emulation, at once, wilhout the intervention of thought, possessing 

 Jiowever, that which shall satisfy the mind of the more attentive beholder, 



Agaiu,— ivliatsYcv the msutai vUariivtur yf thg man, gaity (jaiiuyt stud)' be 



misplaced, in a "Memorial of the Achievements" of one whose life was ,a 

 succession of victories. If these ideas be correct, that design will be best 

 adapted to the circumstances, which is most calculated, to excite, at a glance, 

 in the thoughtless idler, or hurrying man of business, the desire, by a life 

 like Nelson's, active and honourable, to win honours like his, from a grateful 

 country ; — which by its sculptures and inscriptions, shall tell, to the obser- 

 vant, more striking features of his life and character; — which shall leave on 

 the minds of all the impression of a monument apjiropriate to a naval hero, 

 and worthy of a Nelson ; — and shall combine with these qualities, the indis- 

 pensable conditions, that it shall assist the effect, of the surrounding build- 

 ings, and be in its dimensions of sufficient importance to occupy the most 

 magnificent site in the metropoMs. 



This is the arduous task which has been attempted in the design now sub- 

 mitted to the committee, and for the aeeomplishmcut of whielia Corintliiau 

 column appeared to me to olfer the gi-eatest facilities. 



The column, with its pedestal, stands on a platform of an elevation of 11 

 feet 6 inches, at the angles of which are triumphal stela% 5 feet 6 incites in 

 diameter, and rising 16 feet from the plalform : they support the naval and mural 

 crowns, the ducal and viscounts' coronets, proposed to be in metal gilded. 



This is placed on a terrace 140 feet square, 6 inches higher than the ground 

 immedialely opposite the centre portico of flic National fiallery. At each 

 angle of the terrace is a troiihy of sea-horses and fl.ags, (proposed to be 

 executed in bronzed metal, or black marble.) on a eippus surrounded willi 

 wreaths, inscribed with the dates of the numerous minor engagements in 

 which Nelson was concerned ; the pedestal of the coliunn Ijeing reserved for 

 the great actions. In each front are two lions, flanking a flight of steps CO 

 feet wide. Tlie cippi are 12 feet 6 inches in diameter, and the lions are 7 feet 

 high, from the blocks on which they are placed. . , , . 



The pedestal of the column is rectangular on plan, its sides slightly in- 

 clined and panelled for the reception of relievi ; over which are inscribed the 

 names of the victories celebrated and Nelson's Hag-shiiis : St. Vincent, Cap- 

 tain ;— Nile, Vanguard ;— Copenhagen. Elephant ;— Trafalgar, Victory : these 

 and the other inscriptions, are shown in the perspective vieiv. 



The podium of the platform bears on one side,—" England expects every 

 man to do his duty ;"— on another,— "Westminster Abbey or Victory ;"— on 



(1,(, third. •■ 1 luive done my duty, I thank CJod for it;" — and the fourth is 



reserved for an historical inscription. or.-,-,. 



The column rises over four prows, issuing trom a triezCr-i teet in height, 

 (emblematic of the sea,) and a plynth bearing the motto, " Palinam Qui 

 Meruit Ferat." The base of the column is cablol. The capital was com- 

 posed after a minute study of four of the most beautiful capitals Greek and 

 Roman art has left us ; I nave endeavoured to collect their beauties and pro- 

 duce a whole more adapted to an isolated position than the ordinary Corin- 

 thian capitah and .at the same time more easily executed on a large scale. 



Over the column four Tritons support a fholtis.on which stands the statue 

 of the hero, )7 feet (i inches in height; in construction the support of the 

 (1-^'ure is independent of the Tritons. This part forms a lantern of observa- 

 lifin, and from it (he surrounding scenery may be viewed in every direction. 

 The'fi'nirc does not stand on a point, but on a circle wdiosc diameter is more 

 than one-third the height of the stitue. 



It is proposed that on the south, east, and west of the moiiument, the site 

 shoulil lie rcdiii-ed to a level, (hree feet higher than (he ground at its lowest 

 iiart. to form an extended base to the whole mnnument. This would make 

 the levels, w-liich at first appeared a disadvanlage. a means of obtaining a 

 considerable edcct : on the south there would Ije two steps, each 1 foot fJ 

 inches in height, broken at proper distances with blocks for candelabra, and 

 with a (light of sfeps in the centre ; on the north, a retaining anil low para- 

 pet wall would place the Ntifional Gallery on a terrace; while on flie east 

 and west of the monument from an area 180 feet by 80. a flight of steps 30 

 feet wide, would give access to the upper level immediately opposite (o each 

 of the wing porlicoes of that building ; producing unity and the idea of pur- 

 pose ; and lite ri<pose on either side would heighten the eflect of the monu- 

 ment. This is illustrated, and its effect shown in the general plan and per- 

 spective view. , , . , . 



If it shoidd be thought desirable, a gallery, (a plan and section of which is 

 shown,) for the reception of paintings, models and sculpture, (with a room 

 for a keeper), may be obtained under llie platform of the column. The gallery 

 would be 12 feet high, and 16 wide, and have a (otal extent of 120 feet ; larger 

 dimensions might be obtained, but the keeping the plaffurin within the 

 smallest possible hmits, seems of paramount importance ; it would be liglited 

 by skylights unseen from wilhout. Tlie entrance to the monument is alsa 

 entirely screened from sight. 



I'RliNClPAL DIMENSIO.NS. Ft. lU, 



Height to the upper platform 11 S 



ba,se of column 5" 6 



Height of column including base and capital 118 



Entire height 207 



Entire height of the Lcmdon Monument 202 



Euiiie height of the Duke of York's Monument .... 137 9 



Diameter of the proposed column 13 



Extent of terrace MO 



The entire cost of the monument, (he masonry of granite, and ol the be.-rt 

 workmanship, would be 30,000/. It is proposed to introduce gilding in parts, 

 as shown in the perspective view. In the drawing I have omitted the vic- 

 tories on the prows, as they appeared somewhat to detract from simplicity in 

 the design; they are however retained in the model. 



'I'hc time and labour I have bestowed on this design, fo obviate the objec- 

 tions urged against a column as a monumeut, w ill I hope, offer sufficient 

 apology for the length at which I have found it necessary to describe it. 



Model No. 50, Samuel Ni.von. — In monuments, it appears to be extremely 

 desirable that the individual in honour of whom it is erected should be con- 



spivuviisly iiyuUtd out ; that Itis lisjius should in fact be the moniuucut, ami 



