1840.] 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECTS JOURNAL. 



.307 



placed, as it is proposed to lie. in front of the National Gallery, and in aline 

 with the centre of the portico, must in certain points of view, on approaching 

 it from the south, conceal so much of it, that its efiect cannot he favourable 

 on that Ijuikling. 



Sidney Smirke, Esq.— I think that the column and its pedestal will have the 

 eft'ect of detracting, in some degTee, from the importance of the National 

 Gallery as an architectural object. 



Sir R, ll'estmacotl. — I am of opinion that a column, of which the pedestal 

 including the steps is 43 feet high, and 17 feet wide, and the height alto- 

 gether 170 feet, will be injurious to the effect of the National Gallery. 



Question II. — 'What effect, in your opinion, will the said column have 

 as an ornamental object, in combination with the surrounding build- 

 ings? 

 Ethcaril Blore, Esq.— The effect of the column considered as a whole, in 

 combination with the surrounding buildings, will vary very much according 

 to the different points of view in which they are seen, offering with every 

 cliange of position, some new combination of greater or less merit. 

 Decimns Burton, Esq.— To render those buildings less important. 

 Sir Francis Chantreij. — This question involves all (he difficulties contained 

 in the first. As an ornamental object, the beauty and just proportions of a 

 Corinthian column, as forming part of a building, are matters settled 2,000 

 years ago ; what its effect may be .standing alone must depend much on the 

 base, and the object w hich crowns the summit. An injudicious association of 

 modern things with ancient may put the column out of the pale of classic 

 beauty. Of the statue which is to be made I can give no opinion, but if it be 

 only to measure 17 feet, its bird-like size will not be much in the way, and if 

 formed of Portland stone, will not be long in the way. The Trajan, the 

 Antonme, and the Napoleon columns, are the only monumental objects of 

 tins class that I have ever looked upon «i'.h entire satisfaction: I read the 

 history of the man on the shaft of the column, and the mind is thus recon- 

 ciled to see the statue so elevated. I may be told we have not money enough 

 for a work of this character, that naval e.\ploits furnish bad materials for 

 sculpture, or that the arts of this country are in too low a state to accom- 

 plish so noble a work : then I say. abandon the impossibility at once, and 

 try something more in keeping with our means and our genius. 



T. L. Donrildson. Esq.— An advantageous eflect : as the judicious design 

 jirepared by Mr. Barry for laying out the area will mask to a great degree 

 the distortions and inequalities in the levels, and the irregularities in the plan, 

 and render them inapparent to the general mass of people. St. Martin's 

 church is already of such a scale, and so peculiar and distinct in character, 

 that it cannot suffer from the column. The masses to the cast and west, 

 although imposing in style, are not sufficiently monumental to deserve any 

 sacrifice being made to them ; and the National Gallery is so insignificant as 

 to require some other object to redeem the opportunity which has been lost. 



Joseph Gwilf, Ei-q.—l GO not think the proposed column will combine so as 

 to group well with any of the surrounding buildings, and least of all, if there 

 be any difl'crence. with the National Gallery. In this the intention seems to 

 have been to preserve a strictly Greek style, in contradistinction to one of 

 Roman or of Italian character, whereof the small inclination of the pediment 

 seems to be such an indication, that a vertical feature (such as the column 

 w-ould be) rising through it, I think likely to produce even a ludicrous effect. 

 Viewed with the group of buildings on the east side of Trafalgar Square, 

 (St. Martin's church excepted) I do not think any bad effect would be pro- 

 duced, because I do not consider them as of sufficient architectural import- 

 ance to weigh in the matter ; but w ith those on the west side, and also of 

 St. Martins portico on the east, and to the south-east with a building of great 

 architectural merit and consistency, I mean Northumberland House, I see no 

 lines about the column nor its appendages which make it desirable to choose 

 such a site for it as that in question. 



Philip Harilu'ick, Esq. — Architectural objects well designed, and of good 

 proportion, almost invariably combine well with surrounding buildings, and 

 1 think it probable that such will be the effect of the proposed column. 



Sidne;/ Smirke, Esq. — It will have the same effect upon all the adjacent 

 buildings ; but, when viewed as a whole, in combination w ith the surround- 

 ing architecture, including the intended terrace, &c., I should e.?pcct that a 

 very fine architectural scene will be produced, however much each building 

 composing the group may suffer in individual importance. 



Sir R. Wesfmacott. — As an ornamental object, m combination with the sur- 

 rounding buildings. I cannot hesitate in saying, that I think the effect of the 

 column itself and those buildings, from the absence of harmony of proportion 

 with each other, will in itself be bad ; and considered in reference to those 

 buildings, by reducing their scale, and more especially of St. Martin's church, 

 have an injurious effect on those edifices. 



Question III. — What effect w ill the column have on the National Gal- 

 lery, as you approach it from Whitehall ? 



Edward Blore, Esq. — As regards the National Gallery, the combination as 

 you approach it from Whitehall will be one of the least favourable, inasmuch 

 as the column in this point of view will cut the portico and dome of the Na- 

 tional Gallery almost tlirough the centre ; still, however, it must be borne in 

 mind, that the National Gallery, from the superior height and the prominent 

 position of the column, will in this point of view (pictorially considered) have 

 only the effect of a back-ground, an effect which will be more obvious from 

 the great distance interposed between the two objects, and the aerial tint 

 which the more remote one will acquire by this distance ; so that the disad- 

 vantage of combination will be very much mitigated by the relative distance 

 of the objects, and the atmospheric modification resulting therefrom. 



Decimns Burton, Esq. — Its pedestal will obscure a portion. 



Sir Francis Chmtrey. — 1 expect that when the column and the National 

 Gallery are seen together in their whole extent at the same moment, which 

 will be the case when viewed between Whitehall and Charing-cross, that the 

 Gallery, as I have said before, may suffer somewhat in its apparent height ; 

 but I do not regard this as of much importance, when I consider that Mr. 



Barry's plan of sinking the base line 10 or 12 feet, must improve the elevation 

 of the National Gallery considerably. 



T. L. Donaldson. Esq.— The Gallery will then form a subordinate back- 

 ground to the column ; the portico, which is the least exceptionable feature 

 in the building, will be intercepted ; the cupola over the centre is too paltry 

 in scale and character to render the interposition of the column, when seen 

 from Whitehall, of any consequence. 



Joseph Gwilt, Esq. — This is answered in the reply to Question I, and it 

 would be easy to show, by carrving out the test tliere proposed, that what- 

 ever importance the National (5allery possesses, will be destroyed by placing 

 the column on the spot selected. 



Philip Hardwick, Esq. — The answer to this question may be considered as 

 included in that to the first, as it is in the approach to the National Gallery 

 from the south or Whitehall, tliat the effect of the column would be unfa- 

 vourable to that building. 



Sidney Smirke, Esq. — From the more distant parts of Whitehall, the column 

 will be the most conspicuous object, and will of course interfere with the 

 present view of the National Gallery ; and wdien the spectator advances, say 

 to the door of Messrs. Drummonds' bank, I apprehend that the pedestal of 

 the column will pretty nearly exclude from view both the portico and dome 

 of that building. I w'ould suggest the erection of a slight boarded scaffold, 

 representing three sides of the pedestal and base ; the Committee and the 

 public would then see, without the exercise of any imagination, the actual 

 effect that would be produced by that the more bulky part of the monument. 

 Sir R. Westmacolt.—It would have the effect at the distance of ^\'hitehalI 

 of concealing a gi-eat portion of the portico ; and on a nearer approach to 

 Charing Cross, the pedestal of the column being seen at an angle, and in- 

 creased several feet in width, would obstruct the view of two-thirds of the 

 portico, and a considerable portion of the west wing of the National Gallery. 

 Question IV.— How far do you consider that position a favourable po- 

 sition for the column itself? 

 Edward Blare, Esq.— I have no hesitation in stating that, in my opinion, 

 the position is peculiarly favourable for a lofty object, such as a column or 

 olelisk, provided it be in good proportion, and designed with good taste ; and 

 that, taking into consideration all the circumstances of the ground, and the 

 surrounding buildings, that no substitute could be found for such a form to 

 produce an equallv good effect. 



Decimns Barton', Esq. — For the column itself, a very favourable position. 

 .Sir Francis Chanlrey.—l consider this position to be the most favourable 

 that can be found or imagined for any national work of art ; its aspect is 

 nearly south, ai.d sufficiently open on all sides to give the object placed on 

 that identical spot all the advantage from light and shade that can be de- 

 sired ; to this may be added the advantage of a happy combination of unob- 

 trusive buildings around ; but to conceive a national monument worthy of 

 this magnificent site is no easy task. 



T. L. Donaldson, Esq.— One of tlie finest in the world. The best possible 

 position for a lutty monument is when the spectator comes upon it unex- 

 pectedly, and when it can only be seen from a short distance ; Trafalgar 

 Square unites in an eminent degree both these requisites. To those ap- 

 proaching from the Strand and Pall Mall, it will come upon them by sur- 

 prise, and the column will present itself in all its grandeur. To those ap- 

 proaching from Westminster, it will appear majestically on a rising ground, 

 with the contrast of the low National Gallery behind it, to increase its 

 apparent size ; both which circiunstances will give it dignity. The eye can 

 embrace without inconvenience an area of 60 degrees ; but it is no objection 

 to the dignity of an object, that it compels an efibrt on the part of the be- 

 holder in order to embrace all its parts ; and the very circumstance of those 

 approaching Trafalgar Square from the east or west being obliged to raise 

 their heads, and use some exertion in order to see the full height of the 

 column, will create an impression of dignity upon the mind; and the first 

 emotion which a monument produces upon the spectator is all-important. 

 When a lofty object is first seen from far, and kept in view up to the moment 

 that the beholder gets close up to it, the impression is not so overpowering, 

 however small may be the other objects w^hich may surround it, as when it 

 bursts suddenly upon the view close upon him. The gradual approach to it 

 from a distance begets impatience and weariness ; the impressions of gran- 

 deur only progressively develop themselves, and are therefore comparatively 

 weaker. The ancients well understood this ; their temples were never seen 

 isolated and from far ; they were always surrounded by colonnades and en- 

 closure walls. The column of Trajan was on one side of a square court of 

 small dimensions, probably not more than 100 feet square. 



[And see General Observations by T. L. DonaHson. tsq.] 

 Joseph Gwilt, Esq.—\ do not think the position fayoiirable tor any columnar 

 monument ; because when such a form is selected, it is, in my opinion, de- 

 sirable that the whole, or at least the greatest part ot the outline, if it be 

 good, should be distinguishable or marked against a back ground, whose 

 colour and quality are different from the material whereof it (the column) is 

 composed. 1 would instance, in illustration of my meaning, the effect of the 

 back ground of trees and sky, in walking down Ke°ent-strcet from Picca- 

 dilly, "on the Duke of York's column ; and in Paris that of the column in the 

 Place Vendome, in walking from the Boulevard down the Rue de la Paix 

 towards the Tuileries gardens, the folia.ge of w hose trees and sky above give 

 peculiar value to the outhne and its effect. The effect of the majestic ami 

 beautiful Column of London, perhaps the finest in Jiurope, would, I believe, 

 be vastly improved if it could be seen in a long street or centre of a square, 

 wdiereof it only intercepted the portion of a vista, and became thus suscep- 

 tible of having its form thoroughly developed, instead of being backed on 

 three sides by' mean buildings, w-hicli confuse its forms, and tend to render 

 them mixed and indistinct, except under broad lights. 



Philip Hardwick, is}.— There are so many circumstances in favour of the 

 position selected, that I am of opinion it is altogether an ehgible site for the 

 column. 



Sidney Smirke, Esq. — I think that the situation in question is a most fa- 

 vourable one for the monument ; if no site for it be adopted but one wliere 



