August 29. 
THE COTTAGE GARDENER. 
411 
thing from it that is not perfectly distinct, and rendered 
it in every respect as perfect as it can be made.” 
Tbe next great works be was employed upon were 
the Water-Works, the Emperor Fountain of which 
tosses its waters to the astonishing height of 267 feet. 
This, and all his subsequent conceptions are among 
“ the most surprising in tho world.” 
In 1840 he completed the Conservatory at Chatsworth, 
the largest ever constructed. It required forty miles in 
length of sash-bars, and to meet this enormous demand 
he invented a machine for cutting them, which, to use 
his own words, “ performed the labour of twenty men 
for one year, and consequently saved in money X’1,200.” 
As a literary man lie has appeared before the public 
j advantageously, as the Editor of The Magazine of 
I Botany, begun in 1833, but now no longer published; 
l as the author, in 1S39, of a little volume, On the Culture 
of the Dahlia ; as compiler of Gardening for Cottagers, 
and the Botanical Dictionary , the first of which was 
published about the year 1849, and the other about nine 
years previously. 
We have now arrived at the most brilliant period of 
his life—the construction of tbe first Crystal Palace. 
Of its origin in 1850 we must republish the designer’s 
own account. 
“ When tbe six eminent architects and engineers were 
selected as a committee to choose a design, Mr. Paxton 
says that he had no intention of offering one, for he took 
for granted that something worthy of the occasion and 
of the nation would be selected by them. When the 
time approached for the production of plans there was 
a discussion in tbe newspapers as to tbe design best 
adapted, and be must say that the first sketch he saw in 
a number of the ‘Builder’ did not inspire him with 
any exalted notions, or raise any very splendid expec¬ 
tations of the result. It was not until one morning 
when ho was present with his friend, Mr. Ellis, at an 
early sitting of the House of Commons, that the idea of 
sending in a design occurred to him. A conversation 
took place between them with reference to the con¬ 
struction of the new House of Commons, in the course 
of which he (Mr. Paxton) observed that he was afraid 
they would also commit a great blunder in the building 
for the Industrial Exhibition; adding, that he had a 
notion in his head, and that if he (Mr. Ellis) would 
accompany him to the Board of Trade he would ascertain 
whether it was too late to send in a design. He asked the 
executive committee whether they were so far committed 
to the plans as to be precluded from receiving another, 
j The reply was, ‘ Certainly not; the specifications will 
be out in a fortnight, but there is no reason why a 
clause should not be introduced allowing of the reception 
of another design.’ He said, ‘ Well, if you will in¬ 
troduce such a clause I will go home, and in nine days 
hence I will bring you my plans all complete.’ No 
doubt the executive thought him a very conceited fellow, 
and that what he said was nearer akin to romance than 
to common sense. Well, this was on Friday, the 1 Itli 
of June. From London he went to the Menai Straits, 
to see the third tube of tho Britannia-bridge placed, 
and on his return to Derby he had to attend to some 
business at the board-room, during which, however, his 
whole mind was devoted to his project; aud whilst the 
business proceeded he sketched his design on a large 
piece of blotting-paper. He was sorry he had not tho 
original with him, but the fact was, Mrs. Paxton 
had taken possession of it, aud if they were at all 
anxious to see it, the only possible way of gratifying 
their desires was by sending for her to the meeting. 
Having sketched his design on blotting-paper, he 
sat up all night until he had worked it out to his 
own satisfaction; and by the aid of bis friend, Mr. 
Barlow, on the loth he was enabled to complete 
the whole of the plans by the Saturday following, 
on which day he left Rowsley for London. On arriving 
at the Derby station be met Mr. R. Stephenson, a 
member of the building committee, who was also on 
his way to the metropolis. Mr. Stephenson minutely 
examined the plans, aud became thoroughly engrossed 
with them, until at length he exclaimed that the design 
was just the thing, and he only wished it bad been 
submitted to tbe committee in time. Mr. Stephenson, 
however, laid the plans before the committee, and at 
first the idea was rather pooh-poohed; but his plans 
gradually grew in favour, and by publishing tbe design 
in the ‘ Illustrated News,’ and showing the advantage 
of such an erecLion over one composed of fifteen millions 
of bricks and other materials, which would have to be 
removed at a great loss, the committee did in the end 
reject the abortion of a child of their own, and unani¬ 
mously recommended his bantling.” 
We have but little more more to add, for having 
achieved one, the construction of the second Crystal 
Palace was comparatively easy. He was justly honoured 
with knighthood in 1851, and the words accompanying 
the Queen's smiling greeting in 1854 might have been 
those used by another monarch to another man of many 
victories—“ If you go on at this rate we shall have to 
invent marks of distinction for you.”* 
* Since the above has been in type, we are promised some additions to 
this notice, and hope to publish them next week. 
It is a fact that paper is becoming so dear that many 
cheap periodicals of limited circulation, either have 
been, or are about to be, abandoned on that account. 
Then, again, periodicals of higher price and extensive 
I circulation, find the expense of paper so heavy, that 
they are compelled to reduce their outlay for literary 
assistance. Some others have contracted with the 
( paper manufacturer to reduce the quality, or substance, 
of the paper, in proportion to the increase of price. 
Thus are the proprietors of literary property, the writers 
for tho press, and the public at large, one and all injured 
by this rise in the price of paper. 
We hear of rewards offered for a cheap material with 
which to fabricate this most influential product of our 
manufacturers; and we also hear of such materials 
being suggested, one of which materials we happen to 
