390 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[November, 



isling difference cannot be too strongly bronglit before the public, as a 

 decided demonstration of opinion on tlieir part could alone compel 

 manufacturers to adopt a decent degree of uniformity in the method 

 of estimating engine power. .Vrgument will be of no avail in cases of 

 this character, wTiere interest, or supposed interest interferes, still a 

 steady exposure of all attempts to exalt or depreciate engines, or 

 steam boats, when founded on the unsound basis of a difference of 

 horse [lOwer rules will tend towards the desirable object, of producing 

 unifornuly. 



I remain, Sir, vour obedient servant, 



V — . 

 Septtmber 2G. 1841. 



COMPETITIONS. 



Sir — An error, at least an awkward omission in the printing of my 

 former letter will ser\ e as excuse — if excuse be wanted — for my 

 troubling you again, although I should hardly consider it worthwhile 

 to do fur the purpose of correcting it, had 1 not also some further re- 

 marks to offer on the subject itself. I applied the term " swindling" 

 to the manner in which architectural competitions are frequently con- 

 ducted, adding that " to give it anij siiftir name would be alniost to 

 countenance it." But the words here put in italics having been omitted 

 either by myself or the printer, the sense could be only guessed at. 



I am no friend to "soft names" — to that squeamishness of language, 

 ■which is unhappily so prevalent at the present day, and which desig- 

 nates an affair of murder " an affair of honour," and" an affair of villainy 

 "an at^air of gallantry." That the indtcoroiia but expressive word 

 swindling was not at "all too harsh a one is fully proved by Mr. Wat- 

 son's letter, which appeared on the very same page of your Journal as 

 my own. Nevertheless no steps of any kind seem to'be adopted by 

 the profession, in order to put a stop to the shameful abuses now 

 practised, and reform the present juggling system of competition. As 

 to the Institute of British Architects, they are like the Gods of Epicurus, 

 and wrapped up in their own divinity trouble themselves not with the 

 concerns of the lower world which tli'cy leave to shift for itself as best 

 it may. So far from coming forward with any measures of their own 

 for correcting the present shameful or shameless system of competi- 

 tion, they do not even care in any way to support or aid — I might say, 

 even to countenance aught that has been from time to time suggested 

 as an abatement, if not a perfect cure of the evils now so frequently 

 and so loudly complained of by the professiou generallv, as individuals; 

 and which affect not only the interests of these lasf,"but those of the 

 art itself, converting the opportunities for advancing it into nothing 

 better than so many jobs and jobberies. More than once before now 

 it has been asked " what has the Institute done for the advancement 

 of architecture?" and we are waiting for the answer. In the mean 

 while — and a prodigiously long while it is likely to be ere that jjlain 

 question can be plainly and satisfactorily replied' to, i would propose 

 in addition to the suggestions which have already been thrown out in 

 otlier quarters, that in future in every competition for a building of 



any magnitude — say where the contem'plated cost exceeds lO.OUU/ 



a lithograph copy of the selected design should be sent to each of the 

 competitors, either when his own draw ings are returned or afterwards, 

 whereas now, nothing, if it can possibly be helped, is suffered to tran- 

 spire relative to the one approved of and adopted,— or possiblv, 

 adopted without any grounds of approval or preference being assigned, 

 supposing it were possible to do so. 



As an instance I will mention the Camberwell Church Competition, 

 for wliicli I saw one or two sets of drawings before they were sent in, 

 and for one of which in piuticular I anticipated success,"— that is, sup- 

 posing matters were to be managed fairly, anil that success was to de- 

 pend upon the merit of the design. The result, however, lias contra- 

 dicted me, yet it is exceedingly doubtful to myself whether the one 

 chosen be at all better, or even so good by jnanv degrees. Be it what 

 it may, no one as far as I can learn seems to kiiow what it really ;s,— 

 not even those who measured their strength against the succe'ss'ful 

 candidates (Messrs. Scott and Moff.it) and who consequently are rather 

 interested in ascertaining the quality of their design. Now I conceive 

 such a regulation as that above sug'gestcd would he a very wholesome 

 one. It would effectually remove the appearance of skulking mys- 

 tery tliat is now allowed to hang over competitions. It would at any 

 rate be some pledge on the part of those who selected the design, 

 that they had confidence in its merits. Yet for this very reason, per- 

 haps, it is most unlikely that such measure should be a'dopted by the 

 "Great Unknown" behind the curtain. It must therefore be forced 

 upon them,— and it can be done by no others than the profession them- 

 selves, who might if they pleased make a law among themselves to 



such effect. At any rate so long as they take no steps whatever to 

 correct tlie abuses cow practised with impunity in competitions, they 

 have no very great right to complain of them. Let them join in a 

 body and defend their onn interests. Or are we to imagine that the 

 majority of them are rogues, and consider it their interest to uphold 

 the present corrupt and absurd system of Competition? 



ViNDEX. 



ADVICE TO PUPILS. 



[Tlie accompanying letter has been forwarded to us by a corres- 

 pondent; it was written by an engineer of considerable experience to 

 his son, a youth of 17 years of age ; we consider that the sound practi- 

 cal advice it contains should be read by all young men entering the 

 engineering profession, and we feel much pleasure in publishing the 

 letter verbatim.] 



Dear Son — Yours of the 19th I duly received, you inform rae that 

 Mr. B. has appointed you to superintend the bridges, on a certain rail- 

 way. Now my advice is, adhere strictly to the directions of the spe- 

 cifications and drawings. If you feel yourself at a loss to understand 

 thoroughly, (but first of all spare no pains in studying them,) by all 

 means see or write to Mr. B., "not any one else by any means." I am 

 quite sure he will feel it a great pleasure to explain any part or por- 

 tion to you : but always remember Mr. B. first. Never consult any 

 one, or give your opinion on the subject: what you speak, or explain, 

 let it be the words, or parts of the drawings, specifications, or your 

 instructions: and be sure always to act up to your instructions, with 

 firmness. Never conceal any thing from Mr. B. in any shape respecting 

 the works, for there is nothing so bad. I am perfectly aware that 

 when any portion of the works does not come together, or remain firm 

 as it was at first intended, the fault generally occurs in the commence- 

 ment, or during its progress, by the superintendent's oversight, or feat 

 of asking his employer; by this neglect the work is condemned; your 

 employer is brought into contempt; and the superintendent is dis- 

 charged : and all this happens, because the superintendent did not like 

 to see trouble, or explain the faults to his employer ; but will sooner 

 give way to some foreman or workmen, and hide his or their mistakes. 

 " Always remember and bear in mind this one thing, let your em- 

 ployer's duty be such to you, that you will s/a^rf or_7«// by, or with 

 him." I am quite aware that you will find enemies for a while, but 

 when they finil that you will not deviate, (for depend on it, there is 

 but the right way,) they then will give way and be reconciled, although 

 perhaps against their will. Never be afraid of stating the plain_/ac/s, 

 for by so doing your employer is on his guard; and then he has it in 

 his power in time to proceed in that way which seems most prudent 

 to him, and the safety of the work. The next thing 1 wish to call 

 your attention to is, you will be sure to meet with persons on and off 

 the works, (and perhaps some of them have great interest in the work), 

 that will ask you many questions, and also your opinion about the 

 works ; and it sometimes occurs they will be questions which they are 

 ashamed to ask your employer. Now in respect to these points be 

 very much on your guard. In the first place you have no opinion to 

 give, your place is to see the work performed agreeably to your in- 

 structions; and, in the nest place, always have something in hand; 

 for generally speaking, those characters do not address themselves to 

 industrious persons ; and if pressed hard on the subject, you can say I 

 will ask Mr. B. if they think proper; but above all, every person must 

 be respected agreeably to the station he holds. Every one, both thy 

 and ijoii must know vour stations. Be free and pleasant to all, but all 

 must know their places, and every one must bo kept there. 



To conclude this advice, I am quite sure if servants would act 

 straight forward with their employers, and be ve.\Ay lo itaiid ov/all 

 by them, (be sure to understand me clearly, I abhor tale-bearers,) their 

 employers would not experience so many anxious hours; perhaps I 

 should not be wrong if I were to say days or itetks, respecting the pro- 

 gress, and the ultimate safety of the works. 



Now in respect to the works themseh es, if it be wood-work. If there 

 are any longitudinal beams or bearers, anJ they require bolting to- 

 gether to obtain sufficient strength, always prefer those pieces that 

 have a camber or circle. Then bv placing the inner circle of one on 

 the outer circle of the other, vou w ill find the beams will bear a greater 

 burden than two straight ones. Again, never permit any sap to remain 

 in that portion of the timber which is jointed together, for in a short 

 time that will decay, bolts will be of no service, and the work will 

 fail. If timber cannot be obtaiued without sap, let that portion be 

 placed where it can be seen and repaired, and then it will not injure 

 the work. Again, wherever timbers joint, bear, or overlap each 

 otlier, be sure those joints, &c. are firm, square, and well put together^ 



