392 



THE CIVIL ENGINEER AND ARCHITECT'S JOURNAL. 



[November, 



Electrotype Manipulalion, Parts I and II. By Charles V. Walker. 

 Tenth edition. 



This little manual, published by Messrs. Knight and Sons, contains 

 a most complete account of the whole process of electrotype manipu- 

 lation, so that by its instructions any novice may become a proficient 

 in this interesting art. The first part is devoted more particularly to 

 the reproduction of medals, it enters largely into the consideration 

 of those difficuUies which may be expected to present themselves to 

 the unexperienced, and states clearly the modes by which they may 

 be avoided. The second part of the work relates to the more general 

 applications of electrotype in the arts, particularly those of iilating, 

 gilding and etching. The directions are given minntely and clearly, 

 and with a view to conduct the experiments by the most economical 

 means. We have seldom, indeed, met with a work professing to 

 give instructions in the manipulation of any art or process of manu- 

 facture so pratically useful as tliis small volume. 



Gas Meters — tlteir Unfairnest 

 London : G. Mann, 1S42. 



Demonstrated. By Henry Fi.owek. 



This pamphlet explains the construction of the gas meter, and in what 

 manner it may be affected so as to show a false register of the quantity 

 of gas consumed, to the great loss of the consumer. 



"An undue quantity of water in a meter will make a difference of 

 about 20 per cent, in the amount registered over the quantity actually 

 consumed, but let the water in a meter be ever so nicely apportioned, 

 still the consumer will sustain a loss of something like 10 per cent. 



"Blame, therefore, attaches both to the consumer and to the Com- 

 panies, but more especially to the latter. It is not to be supposed 

 that the consumer can enter into the niceties of a complex machine 

 like a meter. The Gas Companies take good heed that the meters 

 shall not and cannot give more than a nominal thousand feet for tlie 

 thousand feet registered, which my experience shows to be not nine 

 hundred feet for "the thousand," but they leave theirtenants to run 

 the risk of defrauding themselves out of from 1 to 20 per cent, of gas 

 as well. If, as the companies construct their meters, that too little 

 water in them will occasion an impossibility of obtaining a supply of 

 »as, wdiy should they not be so gauged as to declare to the consumer, 

 that if he has above a certain quantity of water in his meter, that he is 

 registering water as well as gas ?" 



At the conclusion, Mr. Flower explains Mr. Lowe's ingenious plan 

 for napthalising coal gas, which appears to be an invention of great 

 importance. 



A Series of Diagrams Itlustraliee of Mechanical and Practical Philosophy 

 and their Practical Application. London, Chapman and Hall, Part III. 

 (Published under the superintendence of the Useful Knowledge Society.) 



The present number, which illustrates the wheel's axle, has shown several 

 practical applications of that power. For instance, we have toothed gear, 

 the crane, friction bands, and a circular saw. Thus, a more mechanical turn 

 has been given to the work, and we can anticipate that it will in its progress 

 form a portfolio of working drawings of all the principal machinery and 

 mechanical applications, suitable for the mechanics' institutions and the work- 

 shops, and for instruction in all our colleges and academies ; for such views 

 its value is much increased. 



Professor Jfoshi/ig, of King's College, is preparing for publication " Pro- 

 fesbional Notes on some of the Flem sh and Rhenish Cliurchrs, made during 

 a recent tour in Flanders and Germany, wilh notices of llie ficlgian and 

 Prussian Railways, and of the railway works now in progress between Liege 

 and Aix-lH-Chapelle'' — and he has in ihe press, a work "On llic Princi[)les 

 and Practice of Archilcclurc, with Remarks on the modern practice of Com- 

 petition." 



THE VARIATION OF THE COMPASS. 



Observations made at the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. 

 G. B. Airy, Astronomer Royal. 



THE TEMPLE CHURCH. 



TuE restoration and repair of the Temple church, at once the most beau- 

 tiful and perfect memorial of the Order of Kniglits Templars now in existence, 

 cannot fail to be a subject of congratulation to the country at large. It is 

 pleasant to reflect that beneath the surface of this bustling and money-loving 

 world there is a strong mulercurrent of enlightened feeling respecting the 

 care of our national edifices. The ancient abbey of St. Alban's, Crosby Pa- 

 lace, and Our Ladye's Chapel, Southwark, are among the more recent struc- 

 tures preserved from decay by the honourable and ready contributions of 

 subscribers from all ranks of society. The expense and magnificence of the 

 repairs in the Temple Church promise to surpass any similar attempt in this 

 country, the whole of the enormous outlay required being jointly borne by 

 the two societies of the Inner and Middle Temple. 



Those persons to whom the Temple Church wastHimiliar in its late dress 

 of plaster and whitewash will scarcely recognize the ancient structure in the 

 gorgeously decorated appearance it now presents. The repairs were com- 

 menced in 1840. The dilapidated state of the building, in great measure 

 owing to the reckless manner in which the walls and pillais had been over- 

 laid with heavy monuments, rendered these works necessary, and, in accord- 

 ance with the improved taste now prevalent in the public mind, tlic benchers 

 were led to extend the mere repair into a restoration of the building as nearly 

 as possible to its original state. The architect. who commenced these works 

 was Mr. Savage, but owing to some differences between that gentleman and 

 the building committee of benchers, the charge was transferred to Mr. S. 

 Smirke on the part of the Inner Temple, and Mr. K. Burton, on that of the 

 Middle Temple. It is, however, due to Mr. Savage to state, that the plans 

 prepared by himself have been in a great measure carried out by Ids suc- 

 cessors. 



The Entrance Porch is for the most part new, the e.xcessively orna- 

 mented old doorway having been partly renewed, and the remainder reworked 

 .and restored. 



The Circular Nave. — The six clusters of old Purbeck marble columns, 

 which formerly supported the whole superstructure, have been removed and 

 new columns of the same material substituted. The ceiling of the centre 

 part (a trnncafed dome of comparatively modern erection) has been taken 

 down, and a new oak vaulted and grained ceiling substituted, painted by Mr. 

 ^A'ilIement, strictly in accordance with the style of the period. The whole 

 of the walls, arches, and aisle vaults have been reworked, and new polished 

 marble shafts substituted for the old columns. The sculptural figures of the 

 Knights Templars have been restored in the most perfect manner, and will 

 again occupy their former positions. 



The TriI'Orium of the Nave has been converted into a depository for 

 nearly all the monuments which formerly disfigured the walls of the church. 

 This gallery, common in all cathedral edifices, now" forms a handsome pro- 

 menade of 12 feet wide and 15 feet high round the circle, the mural tablets 

 of most of the eminent lawyers of the last two centuries being carefully 

 arranged on either side. They are much better seen than formerly, and form 

 an interesting collection of monumental sculpture. 



The SaoARE Chancel. — This part of tlie church, hitherto filled with 

 pews, which concealed the bases of the marble columns (themselves hidden 

 by a tliick coating of plaster and paint, through the over-anxious desire to 

 efface all emblems of the Popish faith on the part of the Protestant lawyers 

 shortly after the reformation), and encumbered to a height of eight feet from 

 the ground with oak wainscoting, shutting out the view of the elegant marble 

 piscina on the south side of the budding, has been entirely cleared of these 

 unsightly additions. The huge pulpit and organ screen are also removed, 

 and a new and elegant gallery for the reception of that instrnment has been 

 erected on the north side, occupying one hay, with a vestry beneath. The 

 walls of the latter small apartment are studded with monuments, among 

 which the most conspicuous are those of Lord Eldon, Lord Stowell, and 

 Oliver Goldsmith. The north and side aisles are eacli divided into five com- 

 partments ; the eastern division will be occupied by the benchers ladies, 

 and tliat adjoining by the benchers themselves, every seat having distinct 

 and elaborately carved elbows. The two next are occupied by the barristers, 

 and the remaining division by the barristers' ladies. The members of the 

 Inner Temple will occupy the south, and those of the Middle Temple the 

 northern side of the church. The whole of the centre is fitted up with 

 sittings for the students, in the cathedral style of arrangement. The most 

 prominent object on entering the chancel from the western porch is the 

 triple-lancet window over the altar. This beautiful specimen of stained 

 glass, executed by Mr. Willemcnt, F.S.A., is intended to represent the prin- 

 cipal events in the life of our Saviour. 



The prevailing colours used for the decoration of the walls and roof of 

 the chancel are blue and red. The ceiling is divided into compartments, 

 alternately ornamented with the armorial bearings of the two Inns. Figures 

 of several of the early kings of England arc emblazoned on the western 

 wall, and the shield of the holy cross worn by the Knights Templars is fre- 

 quently introduced. The altar is entirely new, from the design of Mr. 

 Smirke. The creed and commandments are painted black, on a gold ground, 

 with illuminated initials, producing a remarkable richness of effect. The 

 whole of the designs for the stall-ends and elbows, consisting of grotesque 

 heais and foliage of the most elaborate description, have been furnished hy 

 Mr. Cottingham, of the Waterloo-road. 



The floor is paved with glazed encaustic tiles, copied exactly from ancient 

 examples. 



