PROPOSED NEW LECTURE THEATRE. 
47 
steeply as the present one, the majority of the steps being 
3 ft. 6 ins. wide, which will allow space for considerably 
wider and more comfortable seats than those of the present 
theatre, where the steps average about 2 feet in width. A 
projecting porch, approached by a flight of steps, gives access 
to, or exit from, the lecture theatre, and the lower hall or 
'“vestibule” can also be entered from the gardens as well as 
from the present Museum. 
The treatment of the interior of the lecture theatre is in 
the Grecian Ionic style ; lofty pilasters with ornate capitals 
are arranged along the face of the walls about 8 ft. apart, 
and give support to the main beams of the roof and ceiling. 
The lower part of the walls, up to io feet high, is to be 
covered with oak parquetry, behind which is placed a sheeting 
•of asbestos—a precaution taken against both fire and damp— 
and it may also be mentioned that all the doors are similarly 
treated. The floors and steps are to be covered with cork 
carpet. The ceiling is divided into large panels with deep 
moulded and panelled beams, which will largely add to the 
achitectural effect of the interior. The “ lantern screen ” will 
be behind the lecturer at the south end of the theatre. The 
artificial lighting will be chiefly by electricity, and switches 
controlling the whole will be arranged close to the lantern 
operator. Large windows are placed high up on each side, 
and will be readily darkened by curtains. The warming of 
the theatre, lower hall, and work-room, will be by low pressure 
hot water, large radiators being placed at convenient points 
along the walls, with inlets for fresh air behind them. A 
constant supply of fresh air will be thus provided, whilst the 
foul air will be discharged by an extraction shaft and 
ventilator on the roof, to which will be added an electric fan 
as an auxiliary, if found necessary. The plans and the 
structural arrangements provided for fire risks have been 
approved by the Streets and Buildings Committee of the 
Corporation, and the Chief Constable of the City. 
An early start is to be made with the building, which 
has been designed by Mr. E. Ridsdale Tate, architect, York. 
