The New Temple of Industry . 215 



the upper part of the southern, or Cromwell Eoad front, are 

 substantially built, as in all probability they will become the 

 property of the Society of Arts. The proportions here are 

 noble and harmonious, and the plan of lighting from the top 

 gives large wall-space, and a light free from glitter. It is upon 

 these galleries, and the other " permanent portions " of the 

 building, that the Commissioners are bound to spend fifty 

 thousand pounds in architectural improvements, under contract 

 with their landlords, the Commissioners of the former Exhibi- 

 tion. Twenty thousand pounds of this amount are already ex- 

 pended, and the outlay of the other thirty thousand is made 

 contingent on the realization of a surplus. 



The decoration of the building was taken out of the hands 

 of the South Kensington art teachers, and given to Mr. Crace. 

 In the nave the roof is coloured a warm grey, with upright 

 scroll ornaments in maroon red, rising from the sides to the 

 apex of the roof, the ridge of which is strongly defined by a 

 chevrony in black and white. The main arches are coloured a 

 warm brown, with panellings of blue and red, relieved with 

 light lines and ornaments, and separated by medallions of 

 black, on which are gold stars. On the crown of each arch are 

 inscribed the names of the principal countries and towns con- 

 tributing to the Exhibition. To avoid the succession of repeated 

 lines of the same colour, variety is produced by alternating the 

 colourings. The edges of the arched ribs, which are in three 

 thicknesses, are defined by springs of black and white in the 

 outer, and red in the centre thickness. The iron columns sup- 

 porting the roof are painted a pale bronze colour, relieved with 

 light coloured vertical lines, and having the capitals painted 

 red and blue alternately, the raised ornaments being richly 

 gilt. The iron ornamental gallery railings are also painted 

 bronze, relieved with gilding. The two domes are decorated in 

 a very effective manner. The twelve main ribs are painted red 

 and gold, bordered with black and white, and relieved with gilt 

 stars on small lozenges of blue. The top centres of the domes 

 are painted blue, with gold rays, and are bordered with red and 

 gold. The broad frieze running round the springing is painted 

 blue, with an inscription in bold gold letters, and the cornice 

 above is principally in red and gold colour. The walls above 

 the arches under the frieze are richly ornamented in red pan- 

 elling. In the four smaller compartments are Europe, Asia, 

 Africa, and America ; and in the spandrils of the large arches 

 are medallions containing figures representing Arts, Sciences, 

 and Manufactures. The walls at the ends of the nave and 

 transepts are also richly ornamented and inscribed with appro- 

 priate legends. 



The picture-galleries have their walls painted a sage green 



