Page:Irish Builder - Volume 1-3.pdf/16

2 has progressed in a degree towards the advancement of science, and deserves some credit, although considering the host of talent which it comprises within its area of membership, more could have been achieved. Let us, however, hope that a new era may dawn on the existence of this and a kindred institute which is painfully behindhand in fulfilling the object of its mission, though possessing advantages which, to some extent at least, might be turned to account. With much pleasure do we refer to the recent laudable effort made by the Builders of this city to establish an Association, with a view of improving the position of the body, and effecting a more permanent understanding between employer and employees; and though in this latter respect some misconception has arisen, it is to be hoped that it will prove but a passing cloud, and that good feeling may be speedily restored. Little now remains for us to add, except as regards “Illustrations,” to which all classes attach more or less interest. In this, however, we are reluctantly compelled to dissappoint general expectation, but we do so advisedly and—a moment's consideration will convince—wisely. To such a position of excellence, in this regard, have the professional and other periodicals now in existence at the other side attained, that we should be placed in a somewhat humiliated position were we to adopt a course which we could not creditably carry out; and in short with necessarily limited resources, that would be impracticable, at least during the first year of our existence; and if commenced in our infancy we should be both exposing ourselves to mockery and sealing our premature doom. We have an instance of a professional periodical published in Scotland without illustrations, and as “caution marks the guarded way” of speculators there, we adopt it as the safest means of ensuring ultimate success.

To those, however, who desire through our medium to publish their designs we say, that being desirous to afford every facility for the exposition of talent, we shall provide a space for meritorious subjects, the blocks—artistically executed—being supplied.

With those classes for whom this journal is sought to be established mainly depend both its longevity and excellence, for we but set the machinery at work, and it remains for them to assist in its maintenance, as the proceeding involves much responsibility.

Gladly would we have committed this task to abler hands, but none having stepped forward to assume the initiative, we now launch our bark, fully equipped for what we confidently look forward to be a long and prosperous voyage, trusting to be enabled by the assistance of an efficient crew to brave the uncertain sea of speculation, and steer it safely into the haven of prosperity.

—the most remarkable erection on the shores of Great Britain, is a circular edifice, the foundation stone being nearly at low water level of ordinary spring-tides; and at high water the building is immersed fifteen feet. The two first courses of masonry are curiously dovetailed and jointed, and the successive layers are joggled. The cement used was a mixture of pozzolano, earth, lime, and sand in equal proportions. The stones weigh from one to two tons. The lower course is forty-two feet in diameter, and the building diminishes to thirteen feet. Total height, including the light room, 115 feet. It is solid to a height of thirty feet, then the walls are seven feet thick, but diminish to one foot. There are six flats interiorly, and the light room is of octagonal form covered with a dome of copper, and terminated by a gilt ball. Mr. Robert Stephenson, Engineer.

If we perceive at present little genius, it is because the arts have few inventors in an age where there are so many models.

association calculated, par excellence, to foster that artistic talent for which Ireland, amidst all her difficulties, has maintained a celebrity redounding to her national honour, is eminently entitled to co-operation from all classes; but more especially so where its initiative steps are beset with obstacles naturally resulting from the premature failure of some of its predecessors having similar objects in view, and professing at their onset to confer immense benefits on professional artists and the public at large respectively.

In the subject of our present notice we recognise elements at once embracing novelty, liberality, and judiciousness, and evidencing the fact of its promoters spurning the beaten path marked by former projects, and opening out a wider course both for the aspirations of artists and the cultivation of aesthetic principles in public taste. Matters of detail—the primary careful digestion of which serve to ensure the success of any design—seem to have been treated in this instance with peculiar foresight and study, so as to produce an harmonious whole, free from incongruous features and speculative reckonings.

“The Art Union of Ireland” has adopted rules for its guidance demanding special notice, and which to our mind will contribute materially to the permanency of its establishment; perhaps the most nationally important being the encouragement offered to artists, natives of, or resident in this country, in the appropriation of an annual sum, varying with its income, to be expended in premiums for the best works of art exhibited in the Royal Hibernian Academy; and the next, that of dispensing with the issue of engravings to each member from a single subject chosen by a committee. To the former we must, however, partly take an exception and suggest an amendment, viz., the dispensing of the Academy as the exclusive receptacle of premiated works, inasmuch as it shuts out from participation without considerable trouble, unnecessary expense, and some attendant dissatisfaction, several important provincial towns whereat we hope to see periodical Fine Art Exhibitions rather numerous, especially since the inducement of the travelling collection from Marlborough House is at the disposal of parties willing to avail themselves of its valuable accessary aid. For metropolitan purposes, the Royal Hibernian Academy is unquestionably the most fitting medium for the proposed object; but in a matter of national constitution, where success is so much dependent on general patronage, it seems to us that the principle of centralization ought to be prudently avoided as far as possible. Wisely, both in an artistic and pecuniary point of view, has the ordinary system of presenting each member with a proof engraving of a chosen subject been dispensed with, as the desirable objects are simultaneously attained of assisting the discriminations of small prize-holders entitled to select from a variety of works of art, whether pictures, engravings, statuettes, or casts; and of placing a larger sum to be expended in chief prizes at the disposal of the committee than was achievable under the old regimé. Doubtless, finely engraved fac-similes of the chefs d'aeuvres of eminent artists extensively distributed materially conduce to the cultivation of a refined taste; but the selection is compulsory, and when thousands of thousands of similar impressions are struck off, and subsequently plagiarized and tortured into a variety of forms and materials, the excellence of art dwindles into a hackneyed vulgarism superlatively offensive and distasteful. Let us hope that before the committee finally decide on, and announce the premiums to be awarded to works of art exhibited in 1859, “Architecture” will not be forgotten, for in this department the exhibitions of the Academy have degenerated into a nothingness which no apparent cause can justify. For further particulars relative to this project, we must refer our readers to advertisements and the published prospectuses obtainable from the Secretary; and as the distribution of prizes is intended to take place in April, 1859, we trust that the important array of members collected against that occasion will stamp the operations of the “Art Union of Ireland" with the successful impresse which we heartily believe it deserves.

—About 100 cases of antiquities, the result of excavations in Halicarnassus and Cnidus, have arrived in London, being transmitted thither by Mr Charles Newton, the British Vice-Consul at Mytilene; as also 50 cases of similar treasures from Carthage. Amongst those from Cnidus is a gigantic lion of Parian marble, in a crouching attitude, measuring ten feet in length, by six in height, and weighing eight tons.