Io6 TlMEHRI, 
Booker Brothers' store, which by the bye deserves 
fair notice, and much praise, as being well nigh the 
only city store of its sort where some true architec- 
ture shines out, and where much display of art orna- 
ment appears, has done right well in making the 
most of metal castings, employing them, as con- 
structional elements and art enrichments, and that both 
within and without the spacious premises. This well 
stocked store of many sorts of goods and wordly chattels 
has a weakness peculiarly its own, and that too of a reli- 
gious nature ! The quick discerning public spotted it 
at once and wickedly christened the long-naved build- 
ing •' St. Samuel's Church" ! for certainly its grand exter- 
nal church-like look (as seen from some points of view at 
least) militates much against its internal and very un- 
church-like use. 
There stands a much smaller building quite opposite, 
and built on lines quite opposite too ; but belonging 
to the same firm. It is solidly constructed of cemented 
concrete and greatly enlivened with open iron work 
of divers patterns ; but it has caught the complaint of 
the Hand-in-Hand building, or like it, is open to the same 
objection, viz., want of due balance between the con- 
structive element and the detailed decoration ; besides, the 
iron foundry has sent out from the works columns with 
very unworthy bases, while sundry other iron details have 
helped not a little to mar the general good appearance 
of this sturdy little building of fireproof renown. 
But to return to iron and wood, where conjointly used, 
and where the difficulty of observing due proportion or 
proper balance, is less puzzling or perplexing, and far 
easier attained, than between iron and concrete. 
