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Leader (1850-1860), 5th November 1853, Edition Town of 2, Page 1059, Untitled Article

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      Untitled Article

      Rtudv ' But ask now the beasts , and they shall teach thee- ' and the fowls of the air , they shall tell thee . Or sneak to the earth , and it shall teach thee ; and the fishes of the sea shall declare unto thee . Who seeth not that in all these the hand of the Lord hath wrought this—in whose h and is the soul of every living thing , and the breath of all mankind . '" " Dr . Playfair's address was rich in illustration , beautiful in style , yet not above the capacities of those whom he addressed .

      Untitled Article

      CLOSE OF THE DUBLIN EXHIBITION . True to their word , the Committee closed the Crystal Palace on the appointed day — Tuesday . Many thousands of persons had gathered for the last time within its walls . Preparations had been made for a solemn ending , and a band of five hundred musicians were there io perform a service of sacred music . About three o ' clock , theEarl and Countess St . Germans entered , and were loudly cheered on their way to the dais . Around them were the Lord Chancellor , the Lord Mayor , the Provost of Trinity College , Lord Talbot de Malahide , Lord Massareene , Lord Ward , Lord Dunboyne , Sir Edward and Lady Blakeney , Sir Edward M'Donnel , the Earl of Bective , Sir John Young , the Marchioness of Londonderry , Colonel Pennefather , Mr . William Dargan , Viscountess Gort , Colonel Browne , Colonel Eden , the Attorney-General , Sir John Benson , and tlie members of the committee . As soon as the musical service had ended , the Lord-Lieutenant rose from his seat , and Mr . C . P . Roney , the secretary of the Exhibition , having been introduced by Alderman Roe , his Excellency desired him to kneel , for the purpose of receiving the honour of knighthood . Mr . Roney having obeyed the request , ihis Excellency touched him with a sword , and said , " Rise , Sir Cusac Patrick . Roney , " whereupon a loud and hearty cheer proceeded from the assembled multitude , who thus evinced their approbation of the honour conferred upon the able secretary .

      The Viceroy came forward , and in a clear , distinct voice said : — "I cannot declare the Great Industrial Exhibition of 1853 to be closed without expressing an earnest wish for the health , happiness , and prosperity of the man to whom we are all indebted for the instruction we have received from the many productions of art and nature which are contained within these walls . I also desire to acknowledge the liberality of the owners of those treasures for permitting them to he exhibited , let me also pay a tribute of praise to the committee , the secretaries , and the other officers connected with it , for the zeal , the assiduity , and the intelligence with which they have discharged their many duties . lastly , let me , in the name of this assembly , offer to Almighty God our heartfelt thanks for having blessed and prospered this undertaking . I now declare this Exhibition io bo closed . "

      Lord St . Germans then concluded by calling for three cheers for Mr . Dargan . ( Loud and prolonged applause . ) And so the Exhibition ended , the brilliant audience leaving the building , while the organ , the orchestra , and the military bands played the National Anthem . The Dargan banquet came off on Wednesday , in the Mansion-house . Men of all i-anks and parties—peers , merchants , and country gentlemen , gathered round the table , and afforded gratifying evidence of the " union " effected by William Dargan .

      Untitled Article

      DISMISSAL OF PROFESSOR MAURICE . On Saturday last , the Principal of King ' s College announced that Mr . Maurice ' s lectures on Ecclesiastical HIiatory would be discontinued . Early in the summer , My . Maurice published a volume of " Theological J ^ NsayB , " addressed to Unitarian *? , which were originally delivered , in the shape of sermons . It soems that Dr . Jolf "as upent his vacation in examining into this production , and haw discovered that it contains opinions which ho uoenia to bo contrary to the teaching of the Established Umrch . On tho meeting of the College for the Winter twin , a council was summoned , and tho result is , that Mr . Maurice has been forbidden to continue his lectures to the students , on the ground that his teaching ih dangerous . Later information has transpired to tho eltoot that tho Bishop of Liohfiold , former Principal of •«» o College , never received liis summons to attend tho *<> uih ; , 1 , , vn , i Mr Gladstone mid tho Rov . James Anwhou sent written protents to tho council , deprecating : , ° » ' « ti « cBH of tho decision . It is understood that * ' » o JJwhop of Lichfield has expressed his doop sympathy Wlti , . Maurice , and regret at his condomnatl by the council .

      Untitled Article

      mK QUMlfiN AT Tim CRYSTAL PALACE . l » M Queen and Prinoo Albert , tho King of tho Belgians and tho Duke and Duchess of Brabant , went on iiwday u > th « Crystal Pahico at Sydonham , and n ' Um ! « hours in examining tho works . They n /' ii l ninot ' uauy at noon , and wero received at tho , '' "" tnuico of tho western transept by Mr . Laing < l tho directors and chief officers of tho company . ( ^ ther harmoni / . od with tho occasion , and porj lm ^ > have been in tho habit of going out to Sydontlu ' » t l lU ) ntl y to view tho building , remarked that an 7 u nuvw H 0 OH tho atmoHphero so free from haze , " . tlK ) l » W ) Hp « ot bo unclouded and Hplondid . Tho r too , lutvo now roiwihod a point whoro nil tho

      evidences of laborious drudgery through which they have thus far been prosecuted are rapidly disappearing , when the bare skeleton is being clothed not only with the fibre and tissue , but with the integument of a graceful interior—when every stroke of the hammer tells in the general effect , and when , through th . 6 apparent turmoil and confusion of constructive details , the distinct forma of the architect's original design are rising into shape and splendid consistency . It was , therefore , a happy moment to select for such a visit .

      The royal visitors , ascending to the lower gallery at the west end of the building , commenced their tour of inspection by a deliberate survey of the interior , and its general effect . A flood of mellow autumnal light poured through the arched roof , and was agreeably checkered and diversified by the endless , yet fairy-like details of construction and embellishment . Under its influence the remarkable effect of the " long drawn " central aisle was unusually splendid * and , while at the further end scaffolding and a less advanced state of the work indicated that the whole was seen to great

      advantage , nearer at hand more complete arrangements suggested what it would be when finished . Thousands of plants , including camellias , acacias , and pines , have recently been introduced there and distributed in symmetrical order . The colouring which it is proposed to adopt throughout the building has also been carried out Tip to the western transept , and so far the royal party were enabled to form , some faint idea of the scale upon which it is considered necessary to proceed in providing a suitable palace for that exacting body , the public . Proceeding along the south gallery , the Queen and her guests paused at the end of the western transept to look out upon the park , with its terracesav enues , and refreshing diversified slopes .

      , Far as the eye could reach , their view extended over a smiling prospect , in which villages and church spires blended happily with the rich details of rural English scenery . Another halt , at the central transept , gave time for a leisurely view of its gigantic propoz-tions , and of the nature of those mechanical arrangements by which Messrs . Fox and Henderson are , at length , bringing this , the most formidable part of their work , to a successful completion . Alone it would well repay a visit to Sydenham ; and the difficulties which the in the

      contractors have had to contend against execution of so remarkable a feature of the building will deservedly add to their professional reputation . From the great transept the Royal party passed along the gallery overlooking Mr . Digby Wyatt ' s architectural courts , and which is crowded with casts intended for the embellishment of them . The Templar Knights , the Jonas of Raffaele , the grand creations of Michael Angelo , cop ies of the finest gates , doors , relievoes , tombs , fr iezes , and st atues of the modem schools , attracted their attention ; but as these occupy , their

      present poaition merely in transitu , it would be useless to linger over them . They each possess great special interest ; but until they are seen properly grouped and arranged , it is impossible to appreciate their full value and instructiveness . The eastern end of the building , thoug h roofed , or nearly so , is that part where the interior work is most behindhand ; and here , beyond pausing for a few moments , to hear from Mr . Ferguson what he intended to make of his Assyrian court , which is now being rapidly pushed forward , and promises t o be very attractive , the Royal party made no stay . They proceeded at once to the north galleryoverlooking Mr . Owen Jones ' s

      architee-, tectural courts . This gallery was at first made tho chief receptacle for works of art as they arrived in tho building from all quarters ; and , though of late many of ita greatest treasures have been withdrawn , it still retains a largo number of attractive objects . Among them the collection of bunts now begins to form a prominent feature ; nor can it bo doubted that the study of physiognomy will derivo an additional attractiveness through tho facilities of observation which aucli a collection presents . The sculpture in this gallery was oxamined with great interest ; and bore , also , tho attention of tho illustrious visitors was directed to a sorics of drawings and models sent in by ten of

      the b <» t artists in Europe for tho purpose , on a requisition of the Crystal Palace Company , miking to bo furnished with designs for ornamental fountains . Having completed their survey of tho objects in the north gallery , tho Royal party proceeded to examine tho serif )* of architectural courts which occupy tho ground-floor of tho building , from tho central transept eastward . These courts are arranged in historical succession on either side of tho nave , their facades fronting it being characteristic of each school , and restored and embellished after tho most approved examples .

      Their prosont state , iiitoreHtmg and attractive as it is , gives but a very faint and imperfect conception of what they are intended to bo . Her Majesty and Uor illuntriouH guostK saw thoin , thoroforo , to groat advantage , and it seems probable that for ooino time after the doors of tho palaoo have boon thrown open to the public , portions of theso olaborato reproductions will remain to tax tho taste and learning of tho accomplished artists , to wIioho care they have been intruntod . Jlaoh court contains within it Hoyeral subdivisions , which give scope for tho varieties of tho stylo which it ropro-Honts , without violating harmony of proportion . They will , thoroforo , bring out by tho boot cxwmplow not onl

      the national peculiarities of architectural epochs , but all the leading characteristics in detail , so that the series will embody a complete course of instruction in art . The Egyptian / Greek , Roman , and Alhambra courts are under the care of Mr . Owen Jones , who , ably assisted ^ by Mr . Bonomi and Signor Monti , has succeeded in pushing forward all but the last-named court to a point which enables one to form some faint idea of what they will be when completed . It is difficult to

      gather from bare walls and pillars their exact expression when clothed with brilliant and effective colouring . Still more difficult is it to anticipate the charms of perspectives now closed in on every side by hoardings , but which are destined to be relieved and heightened by the vegetation of the countries the architecture of which is represented . To help the imagination of the illustrious visitors Mr . Owen Jones drew their particular attention to his coloured restoration of one of

      the friezes of the Parthenon . The critics will be in great wrath with him for this innovation on their ideas of classic propriety ; but the effect is undoubtedly excellent , and if the figures in r elief were not so painted the artist will carry the public along with him in saying that they ought to be . With the wall surfaces all prepared , the Egyptian , Greek , and Roman Courts will not take long to embellish . The Alhambra Court is a greater undertaking , and more in arrear . Upon its details the greatest care is to be bestowed , and some idea of the difficulty attending it may be formed from the fact that the honeycombed and painted roof of the inner hall will consist of 5000 pieces , which have all to be fixed before the brush is applied to them .

      In the Byzantine Court , on the southern side of the nave , the principal features will be restorations of the Cloister of St . Mary , in the capitol at Cologne , and of that of St . John the Lateran , with its gold mosaics , In the centre will be the fountain of Heislerback , in Derbyshire marble , and on doors or built into the walls will be represented the principal remains of Romanesque art from Italy , Germany , and England . A remarkable series of English Kings and Queens from Fontevraud and Mans will also be included in this court . The Medifeval Court will comprise compartments illustrating the German , Fz-ench , Italian , andEnglishs chools , which take the pointed arch

      as their leading symbol . In this group our own architectural , sculptural , and monumental remains will be most largely represented , and in a national point of view this collection will be the most important one of the kind that has ever been brought together . The German gothic will include examples of the works of Peter Vischer and Adam Krafffc—the great Nuremberg door and the remarkable effigies of the Archbishop Electors of Mayence . Among the more prominent objects of the French and Italian Courts will be tho bas reliefs from the Choir of Notre Dame . Mr . Wyatt proposes to make the facade of the Renaissance Court a restoration of the Hotel

      Bourgthorould at Rouen , and to decorate the interior with such objects as the great window of the Cortosa , the Giuberti door from Florence , Cellini ' s Nymph from Fontainebleau , and tho Caryatides of Jean Juyon English Renaissance , or , as it is usually called , Elizabethan , will be fully illustrated with bucIi objects as the tombs of Henry VII . and Queen Elizabeth ; metal work and ivory and wood carvings . The Later Italian Court will be furnished with Michael Angelo ' s masterpieces , and those of Vignola and other artists , ita architectural details being founded on the oortile of tho Fameso palace : it Rome . Such is an outline of

      tho plan which Mr . Digby Wyatt has laid down for himself to execute . Taken in connexion with what Mr . Owen Jones is doing , it bringn together nearly everything that is requisite to give the people of tin ' s country a just estimate of what tho genius of man , working through his love of the beautiful in art , to civilize and refine the world , has effected in different ages and countries , from the time of the Pharaohs down to tho present age . Such a lesson , presented in so condensed a form , in so striking' a manner , ami made ho accessible , was , probably , never before presented to any nation .

      From tho examination of the architectural courts tho Royal party proceeded to tho Pompeinn House , when ; , by a happy arrangement , luncheon was provided for them . Thoy were thus enabled , in perfect leisure and seclusion , to arimiro the exquisite manner in which this restoration has boon effected by Signor Abbato . For months he and Iu ' h assistant have laboured at their work , which will soon be completed . That it will nocure the warm admiration of every person of taste wo

      cannot doubt . Even now , unfinished as they are , tho decorations possoHH a charm of ologunco which is beyond praise , and which one never tiroN of wondering at , as the style in which houses wero adorned seventeen centuries ago . On leaving tho apartnieutH to resume their survey of the works , Signor Abbato wan presented < o Prince Albert , and tho King of the IUAk'ianH , both of whom complimented him on tho huccomm of his labours .

      Tho Royal party now directed their attention to thu grounds , which , by a very simple kind of footpath , made of faggots covered over with lino gravel , thoy wore enabled to visit in perfect comfort . Drenching rains on a heavy day noil have for some timo past mutfo vvory bit oi' tho Park , not turfed oyor aud , out of

      Untitled Article

      November 5 , 1853 ] THE LEADER . 1059

  • Citation
    • Leader (1850-1860), Nov. 5, 1853, page 1059, in the Nineteenth-Century Serials Edition (2008; 2018) ncse-os.kdl.kcl.ac.uk/periodicals/l/issues/vm2-ncseproduct2011/page/3/