Page:Architectural Review and American Builders' Journal, Volume 1, 1869.djvu/497

 1868.] Science of Building. 403 Each window is composed of one large panel ; and contains in the centre a pictorial representation of an incident in sacred history, surrounded by a rose border on an azure and ruby ground. The subject of the left window is the Raising of Jairus' Daughter The win- dow on the right side of the apse con- tains a delineation of the youthful Saviour disputing with the Doctors in the Temple. The west window is large, and if it were also filled with stained glass, the strong light which streams through it would be softened ; and a more pleasing effect produced. Two of the three stained-glass windows in the chancel have been presented to the church by Mr. Nelson, of Murrel- Hill House, and the third by Mrs. Nelson. Whitchurch Church. Messrs. Ward & Hughes, of Soho Square, have recently completed in this old church a window, which has been erected by their sur- viving children to the memory of the late Mr. and Mrs. Churton. The archi- tecture of the edifice is of the Roman type; and a semi-circular headed win- dow, measuring 22 feet 6 inches by 8 " feet, on the south side has been rilled with painted glass of the 16th century character, treated with large-sized fig- ures, the costumes of which are executed with a view of representing the Biblical period. There are two subjects : that above the gallery is the "Meeting of Jacob and Joseph in Egypt ;" that below, is the " Death-bed of Jacob." The orna- mental portion is characteristic, and a jeweled border surrounds the whole. SCIENCE OF BUILDING. rriHE successful building of a large -L number of houses in a city, during one season, is a science in itself, so broad and comprehensive, as to be almost in- finite. From the moment of the projec- tor's conception of his grand idea, the most tedious and harassing labor com- mences. In fact, he is compelled to build his houses before he breaks the ground. He must first organize a com- bination of artisans, each one dependent upon the other, 3-et all together forming an harmonious whole ; each separate branch diverging from the main centre, yet held together by the attraction of common interest, superinduced by the absolute dependence of each upon the labor of the. other, for the successful working out of the different kinds and parts ; the many ramifications of which extend throughout a building, until com- pletely finished. A builder, to be successful, must pos- sess force, power of combination, decision of character and strength of mind, to command in an eminent degree ; for all the elements he brings together, to form a beautiful structure, aye antagonistic in their natures, requiring supreme control to harmonize the jarring discord of dif- ferent interests ; force, to drive them on; decision of character, to determine any question upon the moment, for nothing- brooks delay ; and power of combination, to bring as it were, out of a chaos of men and material, regular and irregular forms, which, when combined, present architectural beaut}'. The builder of the present day has no time to be a mechanic, in the common acceptation of the term. He must be a scientific man. One whose mind com- prehends all forms of mechanism ; whose well -trained eye detects imperfections in an}' branch. He must have a mind al- wa} r s on the alert to improve. To create an image from an ideal is the intelligent builder's forte, as well as that of a regular architect. As, with sorrow and sadness, we have watched aerial castles,