1841.] 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



H7 



kniglits of St. John of Rhodes, are mixed in the walls with many pre- 

 cious fragments of the finest periods of Grecian art. There are several 

 pieces of an ancient frieze, representing the combats of Theseus and 

 the Amazons, of which the design and execution are equal to those 

 which Lord Elgin brought over from the Parthenon. These are stuck 

 in the wall, some of them reversed, some edgewise, and some which 

 have probably been better preserved by having the carved side to- 

 wards the wall, and inserted in it. No entreaties nor bribes could 

 procure these at the time we were abroad ; but now, if they could be 

 procured, they would form, I think, a most valuable supplement to the 

 monuments already brought hither from Athens. From my recollection 

 cf them, I should say they were of a higher finish, rather better pre- 

 served, and the design of a date somewhat subsequent to those of 

 Phidias, the proportions less massive, and the forms of a softer, more 

 flowing, and less severe character. It is probable that these beautiful 

 marbles were taken from the celebrated Mausoleum ; of tliis, however, 

 no other remains are discoverable in those parts of the town we were 

 permitted to examine. I found an inscription this day, near a fountain 

 in the town, containing hexameter and pentameter lines, on the conse- 

 cration or dedication of some person to Apollo." 



In allusion to the same subject. Captain Beaufort has remarked, 

 "Numerous pieces of exquisite sculpture are inserted in the walls, 

 representing funeral processions, and combats between clothed and 

 naked figures." 



The Bay of ]\Iarmorice, where our squadron is now wintering, is in 

 the immediate neighbourhood of Boudroun; and the f.icilities arising 

 from this circumstance have produced much anxietytli.it the attention 

 of the Government should be called to the facts thus briefly adverted 

 to. In compliance with a memorial on the subject from the Architec- 

 tural Society, Lord Palmerston recently granted the honour of an in- 

 terview to a deputation from that body, at which the president, Mr. 

 W. Tite, and the secretary, Mr. Grellier, laid before his Lordship a 

 statement of all the authorities they had collected upon the existence 

 and present condition of the remains under consideration. His Lord- 

 ship promised that he would write to Lord Ponsonby and Admiral 

 Stopford on the subject ; and we have only to express our hope that 

 his negotiation may terminate in the acquisition of these sculptures 

 for our national museum, where they will form a noble link in the chain 

 of Grecian art, and compensate in some measure for the loss of the 

 Phigalean and other marbles. — Tunes. 



[In addition to the foregoing extract from the Timta, it will be seen 

 by the correspondence which we have subjoined, that the Institute has 

 not been behindhand in taking up this subject. We are gratifieil with 

 the prospects which arise from Lord Palmerston's active and kind 

 interference.] 



Copy of a Letter from the Royal InsTiti'te of BRixisa 

 Architects to Lord Palmerston. 



My Lord — The Institute of British Architects, having become ac- 

 quainted, through some of its members who have visited Boudroun, 

 the ancient Halicarnassus, that there are several fine specimens of 

 Grecian sculpture inserted in the walls of the Castle without any re- 

 gard to the danger they incur in such a situation, are induced to sub- 

 mit to your Lordship that it is most desirable to take advantage of 

 the present favourable epoch for obtaining, if possible, the accession 

 of these valuable relics of antiquity to our national collection, for their 

 rescue from the degradation and destruction to which they are now- 

 exposed, and for the advancement of British art. In addition to the 

 feeling which the members of the Institute entertain in common with 

 others connected with the fine arts on the subject of these marbles, 

 they attach the greater interest to their acquisition from the circum- 

 stance that they originally foimed the decorations of a celebrated 

 structure of ancient Greece. 



The Council of the Institute further presume most respectfully to 

 suggest to your lordship, that in the event of Her Majesty's govern- 

 ment applying to the Sublime Forte for these sculptures, it would be 

 desirable, at tiie same time, to request an authority to search for, and 

 remove other remains of ancient art on that site and others on the 

 coast of the Levant, wdiere numerous valuable relics are well known 

 to exist; and should this suggestion be entertained, the Institute, 

 through its members who have visited the localities in question, will 

 have much pleasure in contributing every information and assistance 

 in their power to promote an object so important. 

 We have the honour to be, 



Your Lordship's most obedient and humble servants, 



C. Fowler, 



The Lord Palmerston. 



A. POYNTEH, ) 



Hon, Sees. 



(Reply.) 



Fureign Office, Feb. 9, 1841. 

 Gentlemen — 1 am directed by Viscount Palmerston to acquaint 

 you for the information of the Members of the " Royal Institute of 

 British Architects" that in compliance with the lequest contained 

 in your letter of the i'.'th ultimo, his Lordship has instructed her 

 Majesty's Ambassador at Constantinople to endeavour to obtain tlie 

 permission of the Porte, for the removal of the ancient sculptures 

 at Boudroun, mentioned in your letter, ami also for the removal of the 

 other marbles in the neighbouring districts alluded to in vour letter. 

 I am. Gentlemen, 



Your most obedient humble servant, 



J. BacKU0U5E- 



C. Fowler, Esq , and A. Poynter, Esq. 



THE COMMERCIAL DOCKS AT SOUIHAMPTON. 



This central port, considered in its adjacency to the ocean, is at the- 

 same time, the most convenient for commerce. It has the Isle of Wight 

 for a breakwater, with entrances on the west, by the Needles — -ou the 

 south, by Spithead and the Mother Bank, w-ith the Waters of the 

 Solent for a sheltured outer anchorage. The harbour itself is most 

 admirably fitted for the accommodation of trade, being ten miles in 

 length, four miles above, and six miles below- Southampton, with a 

 wide and abundantly deep channel and the best anchorage. Nature- 

 has likewise provided a situation peculiarly fitted for commercial 

 docks, at the very foot of the town of Southampton, and immediately- 

 contiguous to the South Western Railway, the connecting link between 

 this noble harbour and the river Thames -. the site of the docks, 20H 

 acres in extent, is accessible on three sides, bv the river Itchen ami 

 Southampton water — -the most protected side being the margin of the 

 Itchen — w-here the water is 1'2 feet, low water spring tides, and w-hicli 

 is being dredged to the depth of lb feet. 



One of the docks now- in progress, is intended to be opened at the 

 expiration of six months or thereabouts, which will contain IG acres, 

 of w-ater, of the depth of Is feet, low water spring tides, open at all 

 times of tide, w ith an entrance of 150 feet in width, avoiding the ex- 

 pense of constructing and working entrance locks, and preventing any 

 occasion of delay in entering or departing. To these important con- 

 siderations, never before combined in any similar enterprize, is to ba 

 added, that the wharf ground, between the northern frontage of the 

 two docks to be first constructed and the town, is of a description so 

 ample as to admit of goods being lodged or housed in large quantities, 

 under sheds and in warehouses, having vaults and a ground floor only, 

 or of being otherwise so constructed as to require bnt little cranage. 



The inducements to resort to these docks may be thus explained — 

 first, as to the merchant of Liverpool, — second, as to the merchant of 

 London. 



1. As to the merchant of Liverpool. 



It is well known that a given value in exports from Lancashire is 

 comprehended in much less bulk than the same value invested in the 

 produce of the countries to which the outward cargoes are exported, 

 and that the colonial or other produce imported in return, is of much 

 greater amount than is required for the market of Liverpool. The- 

 surplus is, in part, now consigned to London, but it must be obvious 

 that provided as good a market can be found at Southampton, the 

 merchant of Liverpool will prefer that port to London, for the follow- 

 ing reasons. 



1. The more early arrival of the vessel at its destination. 



2. The smaller expenses of the port, in pilotage, light duties an(f 

 other charges. 



3. The nearer proximity of Liverpool, should the vessel be required 

 to load outwards at that port; or if not, the shorter voyage to its ulti- 

 mate destination, if down channel. 



These reasons may be considered as conclusive, provided there be 

 an equally good market for the inward cargo. 



With reference to that question, it may be stated, that two millions 

 and upwards of people are now supplied with grocery, fruits both 

 green and dry, and other imports, first carried past the Port of .South- 

 ampton, to encounter the delays, and be incumbered with the expenses 

 of the navigation to and at the Port of London — which delay and ex- 

 penses are doubled in conveying back these goods to the ports of the 

 English channel, between Newhaven and Falmouth. Thus are two 

 millions and upwards of the inhabitants of England now supplied with 

 articles of import, instead of this merchandize being landed at South- 

 ampton, to be distributed with the greatest facility, weather permitting^ 

 to the Isle of Wight, and the numerous ports on the channel, New- 



