380 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECrs JOURNAL. 



[DtXEJiBKR, 



travels a correct plan and a collection of sketches of the most 

 accurate kiiiil, of the ruins of Gerash and other neighbouring cities, 

 which he had closely investigated. 



Mr. G. Godwin, Fellow, called attention to the excavations in 

 proijress at the Roman castrum, at Lymne in Kent, where, for 

 want of funds, a Pompeii close at home is entombed,^ which might 

 be opened for the satisfaction and instruction of all England 



iVIr. C. H. Smith, Visitor, expressed his doubts as to the accuracy 

 of the details and ornament given in the large works, under the 

 names of Dawkina and Wood, though the measurements might 

 possibly be correct. He had seen the original sketches some years 

 ago, and observed that many of them were very slight, and that the 

 drawings taken from them for the engraver, were made up in the 

 style of ornament then in vogue, rather than in the spirit of the 

 originals. 



Mr. ScoLES, Hon. Sec, observed, when he was at Baalbec he had 

 not that work with him, but his impression of the originals was, 

 that they were equal, if not superior, to the finest specimens he had 

 seen in Rome ; the ornaments were elaborately and finely executed, 

 and the Corinthian porticoes in his opinion where the finest in the 

 world. 



The Chairman, in announcing the vote of thanks, expressed his 

 regret that Mr. Bell had not divided his ample and interesting 

 subject into two papers, instead of condensing it, in order to bring 

 it within the scope of one evening's proceedings. He then made 

 some remarks in allusion to the Palace of Diocletian at Spalatro, 

 which, judging from the remains as illustrated in the work published 

 by Adam, had evidently been erected after the decline of art in 

 the Roman Empire, and which, though designated as a palace, was 

 in point of fact, intended for a fortress. 



NATIONAL PROVINCIAL BANK OF ENGLAND, 

 DARLINGTON. 



Those who look back to the last century will find, that whatever 

 opportunities it afl'orded the architect for great monuments, it was 

 far from yielding the same scope in street architecture as now. 

 Churches, chapels, and mansions there were then, as now; but we 

 are much better off with the banks, clubs, assurance offices, 

 colleges and schools, not to speak of county courts, and many 

 more classes of public buildings. 



The subject we now give is not one of the more ambitious of its 

 elass, but is a very good example of the application of moderate 

 resources. It is the building occupied by the Branch of that large 

 company, the National Provincial Bank of England, in the re- 

 spectable town of Darlington, and in which there are now two 

 joint-stock banks. It is situated on the High Row, in a very con- 

 spicuous part of the town, facing the principal approach from the 

 York, Newcastle, and Berwick Railway Station. 



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ton's disposal small; but by careful disposition and study, he has 

 produced a building which, without pretension, is effective, and 

 which it is none the less pleasing is completed within the esti- 

 mate. We are very fond of columns when properly applied, but we 

 are much better pleased in a composition of this kind to see that their 

 employment is not attempted. It too often happens that stereotyped 

 columns and pilasters are stuck on, by their ostentation to hide the 

 architect's poverty of labour and resource; whereas, when such 

 adventitious aid is rejected, there is always the hope of careful 

 treatment. This, we consider, has been the result in Mr. Middle- 

 ton's case, as the Elevation will show, and the details of some of 

 which we have given engravings. 



Eletation of ihe Top Cornice of the Front. 



The design for this structure was entrusted to Mr. J. Middleton, 

 an architect practising in Darlington; and we are happy to have 

 the opportunity of giving this proof of his successful application. 

 The site is, it will be seen, narrow, and the means at Mr. Middle- 



Section of tie Top Cornice ef the Front. 



The management of the ground-floor is very good, and by 

 attending to the breakings of the joints, the Une of composition is 

 carried up to the first-floor windows. 



The treatment of the cornice, without being expensive, is rich ; 

 and the boldness of the proportion affords shadow and relief. 1 he 

 finish of the middle range of windows is likewise in good keeping. 

 Whether the masques on the ground-floor keystones might not 

 have been supplanted by emblems more significative, we leave to 

 the architect to settle. Some local or commercial association 

 might have had its meaning expressed. 



V- 



Seclion and Elevation of Cflmlre to the First-floor Windows, 



The building is of stone from the neighbourhood, and was 

 erected this year. The internal arrangements afford the usual 

 accommodations of a banking establishment, and for the domestic 

 requirements of the resident and manager, Mr. M'Lachlan. 



