126 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[April, 



The cliapel was suppressed and its wealth transferred by Henry VIII. Mr. 

 Crabb traced its history down to 1800, giving the anthoritities upon which 

 his descriptions were founded, and quoting the existing Exchequer KoUs re. 

 lating to its first erection and subsequent repairs by different kings. And he 

 concluded by saying, " That magnificent example of Italian ecclesiastical Art, 

 I recently had the pleasure of bringing before you, should not be forgotten 

 on the present occasion. The rebuilding of St. Stephen's resulted from a 

 vow made I)y Edward and his Queen during the French wars, and was finished 

 in eighteen years — 1348. The Certosa of Pavia, whose sumptuous decora, 

 tions were continued with equal taste, spirit, and expense, during three cen- 

 turies, and form a perfect chain and example of the Fine .A.rts in Lombardy, 

 was commenced a.d. 1396. Those who are disposed to pursue for them- 

 selves the inquiries which were thus hinted at, will discover the close con. 

 nexion of the fundamental principles of design exhibited in each building 

 with its peculiar purpose. The Chapel of St. Stephen, intended for a sump- 

 tuous temple, fit for princes to worship in, was a space uninterrupted by 

 pillars of rich and elegant Gothic architecture,' — every ingenuity being used 

 to increase richness by the aid of an unusual breadth of light, gilding, and 

 colour. Its roof, pavement, walls, and wiridows, combined to produce an 

 apartment suitable for the chapel of a royal palace, and the most magnificent 

 which the arts of the era could produce. The church of the Certosa was 

 later. Art was then advancing with giant strides towards the age whose 

 illustrious men yet continue to shed an undiminished lustre over their coun- 

 try. This building was for a different purpose. The interior, with all its 

 profusion of rich expenditure, was to impress the spectator by its solemnity: 

 its massive columns, wide-spread arches, subdued light, quietly illuminating 

 the lengthy vista ff marble walls, and rendering dimly visible the sparkling 

 of gilded stars from its deep azure-coloured vaults, — with ideas of the infinite 

 and sublime; and, by the beauty of its details and their harmonious effect, 

 to soothe the turbulent and stormy passions." 



Mr. Crabb concluded by observing " It may not be exactly within my pro- 

 vince to notice, but there does appear something greatly to be admired in 

 the idea of a Temple of Worship exhibiting the perfect production of every 

 ingenious Art which the bounty of the Creator has pleased to bestow upon 

 Man. A religion, thus exhibiting in its churches a combination of studied 

 magnificent efl'ect as a whole, and an endless application of the highest ex- 

 eellencies in the detail, must he allowed to speak an intelligent languace 

 plainly indicative to the general people of that perfection required in the 

 worshipper. Let no labour or expense be thought too great which will con- 

 tribute to the honour and embellishment of the House of Prayer, was the 

 precept of those men whose works we have this evening been considering." 



MEMOIR OF THE LATE H. R. PALMER, F. R.S., &c. 



Mr. Henry Robinson Palmer, F.R.S., Y.P. Inst. C.E,,was born at Hackney 

 in 1795, and was educated at the academy of his father, the Reverend Samuel 

 Palmer. About the year 1811 he was apprenticed to Mr. Bryan Donkin, in 

 whose works he acquired a practical knowledge of the use of tools and of 

 mechanical drawing. In the year 1816 he was engaged by Mr. Telford, who 

 soon became so much attached to him as to entrust him with his confidential 

 business, and he was employed upon most of the engineering works then 

 under Mr. Telford's direction. He completed many elaborate surveys at that 

 period, and his accuracy as an observer was such that the details of the ex- 

 periraents on the Grand Junction Canal (in 1822), were placed entirely in his 

 hands. It was for these experiments that he first improved the Dynamo- 

 meter, by adding a piston working in a cylinder of oil, so as to diminish the 

 vibration of the index point. About this time he invented the •' Suspension 

 Railway," for which he obtained a patent, but which was only tried on two 

 short lengths at Cheshuiit, and in the VictuaUing Yard at Deptford. He 

 also invented and patented the system of constructed roofs, &c., of corrugated 

 wrought iron, which principle he subsequently extended to cast iron, and 

 constructed a bridge on that plan at Swansea. The wrought iron roofs have 

 been extensively used. He also introduced a modification of the system as 

 applied to porcelain tiles fur roofs. In 182G he left Mr. Telford, on being 

 appointed resident engineer to the London Docks, which position he held 

 until the year 1835. During that period he designed and executed the 

 Eastern Dock, with the warehousing sheds, the Shadwell entrance, lock and 

 basin, the communication lock from the basin to the Eastern Dock, with the 

 requisite lock gates, bridges, &c., and several other works. 



After the completion of the works at the Loudon Docks, he removed to 

 Westminster and became extensively engaged in parliamentary business, in 

 surveys for canals and railroads, the improvement of harbours, and in the 

 designing and execution of works of magnitude, among which may be men- 

 tioned, the surveys for the South Eastern and the proposed England and 

 Ireland Union Railways ; the design and execution of the new harbour and 

 lock of Port Talbnt, South Wales ; the Ipswich Docks ; the improvement of 

 the Harbours of Penzance and Neath, and the project for the intended ship 

 canal to Manchester. 



The action of tides, with their effects upon beaches, was to him a favourite 

 subject and he contributed some able papers on tides and on the movement 

 of shingle, to the Royal Society, (Vide Phil. Trans. 1831, p, 209; 1831, 

 p, i)67), of which he was elected a Fellow in 1831. 



Mr. Palmer was a great advocate for the formation of scientific societies, 

 and, even during his apprenticeship, about the year 1813-14, he organized at 

 Bermondsey a society of workmen, composing practically a Mechanics' Insti- 

 tute, so many of which have been subsequently formed. 



In the latter end of the year 1817, Mr. Palmer conceived the idea of as- 

 sembling a few young men occasionally, to discuss scientific subjects. He 

 communicated his views to his friend, Mr. James Jones (who subsequently 

 became his assistant in his principal works). Mr. Field was then consulted, 

 and on his entering cordially into the project, Messrs. William and Thomas 

 Maudslay, Charles Collinge, James Asbwcll, and John Thomas Lethbridge 

 were assembled, and on the 2nd of January, 1818, the first meeting was held ; 

 an address was read by Mr. Palmer, and from that meeting originated the 

 " Institution of Civil Engijieers." In 1820 Mr. Telford became interested 

 in the welfare of the infant Society, and became its first President. In 1828, 

 through his instrumentality, the charter of incorporation was obtained, and 

 at his death he munificently endowed it. Mr. Palmer was always devotedly 

 attached to the Institution, and, as long as his healtii permitted, his attend- 

 ance as a Vice President was unremitting ; he contributed several good papers, 

 and be seldom failed to take part in the discussions, which he considered the 

 most v.iluahle feature in the proceedings. 



Since Mr. Palmer's decease, which took place on the 12th of September, 

 18-1-J, Mrs. Palmer has liberally presented, through your Vice President, Mr. 

 Field, the greater part of Mr. Palmer's drawings, .M.S.S., and models, which, 

 when arranged, will be found to contain much interesting matter, indicative 

 of the excellent talents he possessed. His memory will be long esteemed by 

 his friends, and by the members of this Institution he should always be re- 

 membered, as its founder and constant friend. 



WESTMINSTER NEW PALACE (THE NEW HOUSES OF 

 PARLIAMENT.) 



Copy OF THE Architect's Report as to the Present State of thb 

 Works, with Estimates. 



" The centre and curtain portions of the river front are roofed in. The 

 north wing is up in readiness for the roofs, part of which are already fixed, 

 and the remainder are betng put on. The south wing is nearly up to the 

 level of the roofs, which are prepared, and in readiness for being fixed. 



" A considerable portion of the north flank of the building is now being 

 roofed in, and the south flank is up to the level of the roof, which is being 

 prepared, and will soon be ready for fixing. The remainder of the north 

 and south flanks, together with the turrets and pinnacles surmounting them, 

 will be completed in the course of the present year. 



" The Victoria Tower is carried up to a height of 38 feet, and the clock 

 tower is at a height of 36 feet above the ground. 



" The House of Lords is roofed in, and the celling and other fittings of 

 that chamber are in hand. The central tower is carried up to a height of 

 28 feet above the ground. The House of Commons is about 30 feet above 

 the ground, and will he roofed in during the present year. 



" The other portions of the building are, upon an average, 30 feet above 

 the level of the ground, some of which are in readiness for the roofi (now 

 nearly ready for fixing,) while others are being roofed in. 



" 'The alterations directed to be made at the Victoria Tower and Gallery 

 and the Queen's robing-room have been carried into effect. 



"A contract has been entered into for the finishings of the entire building, 

 and those of the House of Lords, and the rooms provided for the business of 

 that House are in hand. 



" Some delay has taken place in the fixing of the ironwork of the roofs, 

 owing to the unsettled state of the iron trade, and difficulties with workmen. 



" The stone for the exterior of the building is still continuing to be sup- 

 plied in great abundance, and of most excellent quality. 



'• January 3. " Charles Barry." 



Lincoln. 



Sum stated by Mr. Barry in evidence before the Select 

 Committee of the House of Commons of last session . 



Deduct for purchase of premises and miscellaneous ex- 

 penses . . . . . 



Add for alterations at Victoria Tower, &c. 

 And for residence of Clerk of Crown 



£ s. d. 



1,016,924 12 9 



90,605 6 6 



926,319 6 3 



800 



1,794 



928,913 6 3 



Estimate of the total cost of the building, according to the la.test plan 

 approved f 928,913 Cs. 3rf. 



Lincoln. 



