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94 A further disturbing feature in the front elevation is the great pediment which crowns the central pavilion, for while it is designed to correspond in scale with the wliole height of the building, coming as it does on the top of this double tier of ' dancing ' windows, and immediately supported by a row of columns grouped in four couples which are only the heiglit of the top story, it has an extremely heavy effect, and seems to crusli the whole composition, none the less from its very full complement of ' Jubilee ' figures. The tower is well placed, from its position in the rear of the main front, giving the building the appearance of being in and not on George's Square, but its composition is marred by the laclv of a properly studied transition from the great breadth and solidity of the lower part to the lantern which crowns the whole. In consequence it looks much too small, especially when seen on the angle, and has the appearance of being stuck on in place of growing out of the substructure. With the view, we suppose, of making up for tliis deficiency, and of assuring the specta,tor of the perfect solidity of the whole, the lantern is crowned with a metal vane of such massive design that it might have been carved in stone, and of such liuge proportions as to con- stitute it a fitting termination for the great pyramid of Gizeh. To the daily paper this eighteen feet or so of untarnishable copper has been a source of unlimited satisfaction, but the judicious in art grieve, and turn their eyes from looking upward. As regards the north front, to George Street, the importance of the banqueting-hall is well marked by the rich band of sculpture in the form of a boldly-cut acanthus scroll carried through the entire length of the surmounting attic, as also by the groups of children amid foliated scrolls in higli relief upon the spandrils of the windows. These windows are again Venetian, but less objectionable in this case, as there are but three, and these to so large a scale that the columns between the central and side liglits attain the dignity of an architectural feature. The effect of the rich upper story would, however, liave been greatly increased had the archi- tect been content to reserve his hand, and give us something quieter below than the ' cheese and tea- box ' order of columns which cross the ground and first floors. The south front to Cochrane Street we regard as altogether the most satisfactory. The central feature, wliile bold and strong in its liglits and shadows, as is necessary in an atmosphere such as that of Glasgow, is marked by greater simplicity and refinement than the rest of the building ; the simple rows of square-headed windows to either side in a flat wall surface support without detracting from the central mass ; and were it not for the unavoidable repetition of the triviality of the front fa^-ade in the corner pavilions, this elevation would leave little to be desired. After the others, the back elevation is refreshingly simple (the same, in passing, may be said of the central court), and in the very baldness of its wall surface shows how simplicity and dignity go hand in hand, and how most effect is often obtained where least is at- tempted. REVIEW. Glasgow Architectural Association Sketch Book. Vol. III. This volume shows an advance upon its immediate predecessor in the number of plates contributed during the year, and in the addition of short historical notes of the subjects illustrated. The subjects themselves are not more interesting than those of last year. The value of contributions to Architectural Associa- tion Sketch Books is to be measured chiefly by the amount of information they give beyond that to be obtained from a photograph of the place which any one can buy. This infoi-mation may be conveyed by plans, figured dimensions, and details supplementing the general sketch ; or by studies of minor subjects and detailed parts of greater subjects which are not of sufficient public interest to attract the commercial photographer. Judged by this standard, such contri- butions as those given by Mr. Wm. J. Anderson, in Plate 35, ' Doorways and Windows of the Vestibule to Chapter-House, etc., St. Andrews Cathedral,' and in Plate 17, "^Bay of the Chapter-House, Fmniess Abbey,' are of the greatest value. The former gives an excel- lent general sketch of the subject, with all the neces- sary dimensions and details appended in the margin, while the latter gives an intelligent geometric delinea- tion of the subject, with a slight sketch — though on too small a scale — of the general appearance of the Chapter-House. The same may be said, though per- haps in a minor degree, of Mr. H. D. Walton's ' Old Houses, Chartres,' and Mr. F. W. Simon's ' Door in S. Transept, The Dom, Ratisbon,' both charming sketches, supplemented by sections and dimensions of parts. Had Mr. M'Gibbon added such detailed infor- mation to his study of ' The Angel Choir, Lincoln Cathedral,' he would have imparted additional value