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1888. ] 3 23 [ Wilson. 
tered the office of William Strickland, a prominent architect of the day, as 
a student. Under Mr. Strickland’s eye, he became proficient in linear 
drawing, and, at the same time, acquired some insight into the professional 
practice of architecture. He did not remain with Mr. Strickland more 
than two years ; and undoubtedly soon discovered his deficiencies in theo- 
retical knowledge, as it is found that he resumed his general studies, and 
took a thorough, special course in mathematics. For seven years he de- 
voted himself to the study of the physical sciences, and to the arts of 
drawing and painting, taking lessons in landscape painting, in water- 
colors, with Mason, a celebrated teacher of that time. He also endeavored 
to obtain a thorough knowledge of the details of mechanical construction. 
In those days, technical schools did not exist. There were no prepared 
courses of study, and few or no books relating to the subjects in question. 
The student of to-day can hardly appreciate all of the difficulties under 
which young Walter labored ; and the foresight and determination which 
he displayed in his preparation for the profession to which he had deter- 
mined to devote himself were certainly very remarkable. The results 
showed in after-years. And his exceptional progress, when once fairly 
started in his business, must have been largely due to this previous training. 
In 1828, he again became a pupil of Mr. Strickland, and, under the 
latter’s instructions, he remained for two more years, devoting himself 
exclusively to the study of architecture. 
How few would have done this! One would have thought that, after 
these seven years of study, the temptation to commence business for him- 
self, now at the age of twenty-four, would have been irresistible. But it 
was not until the year 1830 that he commenced the practice of his profes- 
sion. 
The following year he designed the Philadelphia County Prison, his 
first important work (his appointment as architect taking place on October 
14, 1831), and the entire structure was erected in accordance with his 
plans, and under his personal superintendence. 
Tn 1838, the Select and Common Councils of Philadelphia adopted his 
design for Girard College, the corner-stone of the main building being laid 
on the fourth of July of the same year, and the structure carried on to its 
completion in 1847, altogether from his designs, and under his charge. 
The Building Committee of the college sent him to Europe in 1838, in 
order that he might examine into the practical workings of the various 
institutions of learning in Great Britain and on the Continent, as to ques- 
tions of health, convenience, and comfort; so that the experience of these 
institutions, and a study of the various devices and appointments there 
adopted for furthering these ends, might prove useful in fitting up and 
furnishing the buildings of the college. His instructions also included 
the investigation of building improvements in general. 
He left New York July 7, reaching Liverpool on the 28th of the same 
month, and returned November 22, after a boisterous passage of thirty - 
two days, making a trip of about four and a half months. 
