Page:The Building News and Engineering Journal, Volume 22, 1872.djvu/495

 7 7 - culture. Junn 14, 1872. THE BUILDING NEWS. 473 THE BUILDING NEWS. ee LONDON, FRIDAY, JUNE 14, 1872. PHG@NIX-HATCHING, HE Pheenix is, or ought to be, a paragon of perfection: coming but once in a century, anything short of such excellence might fairly be objected to, For literary Pheenixes, once in amillennium is not thought a scanty allowance ; and those who have made good their claim to purity of breed during the world’s history might be counted on one’s fingers. Homer, @schylus, Shake- speare, and Milton, would be left nearly alone in such a constellation of rarx aves. Among painters, again, the world seems content with the fame of Apelles, Raphael, and Michael Angelo, without clamouring for successors in every respect their equals; but to archi- tects it is less forbearing. An architectural Phoenix must add science to art and poetry, and have all the ‘ ologies” at his fingers’ ends. Vitruvius’s list of his necessary acquirements, long and formidable as that was, is greatly extended nowadays. The examinations founded by the Institute of Architects, to which enterprising students are expected voluntarily to subject themselves, include a positively frightening list of subjects, in which they may distinguish themselyes and at least must attain proficiency. Some few birds of fine feather have come out trium- phantly from this ordeal, and find friends smile on their successful efforts, and the world, at any rate, wears an encouraging aspect to them at the outset of their career. Competitions soon offer themselves to enable them to try their powers of flight, and from this fresh test a still smaller number are selected by a process as_ searching as that of Darwinian invention. But several swallows frequently do not make a summer, and continuous sustenance is not to be relied upon from so speculative a source. It is in the struggle of life—in which success often fails to attend the strong, and the swift do not alwaysreach the goal—that the pinions which would soar toward the sun get clogged, and the spirit becomes earthbound in spite of youth and enthusiasm; when, as years roll on, other competitors, aided by interest, in- variably get down first to the pool; when much, and more than can be rightly or well done, seems always to be given to those who have already more than enough, and but little is left for those who have little to begin with. Such is the treatment the world has in store for the Phcenixes it professes to be waiting for, and ready to receive with open arms. Just now quite an uproar has been raised in consequence of the non-appearance of any Pheenix endowed with every perfection, real and imaginary, and not one, but whole batches are wanted immediately, with not a feather of the entire brood awry, self-sup- porting and self-educated, since somewhat less than a straw a day is the liberal provi- sion made for their provender, and it is nobody’s business to found systems for their The establishment of a patent hatching apparatus is loudly demanded, in a spirit of commendatory self-sacrifice, by the members of the profession, whose own throats would be cut if their prayer were granted. Eggs ready for the operation are numerous in the ranks of the Architectural Association and elsewhere, and to judge by their self-appreciation it is not their fault, but always somebody else’s, that they do not supply the demand above mentioned. If only a good hatching apparatus could be in- vented; if the Institute would but do its duty ; if the Architectural Museum could but carry out its own programme, the world surely would be stocked with architectural Pheenixes. No one stops to consider what is to be done with them if we get them, or how they would be fed. For ourselves, we are ashamed to own that we have grown sadly callous on the subject. We almost fancy the breed has become extinct, if it has not even been a creation of the fancy. We wish our architects would learn to walk before they try to run, and to run before they attempt to fly. Atthe same time, we think them often too hardly criticised, and parti- cularly by their own brethren. ——_>-—__ GENERAL CONFERENCE OF ARCHITECTS. OPENING MEETING, MONDAY, JUNE 10. HE second General Conference of Architects, under the auspices of the Royal Institute of British Architects, commenced on Monday evening last, at the rooms of the Institute, 9, Conduit-street. There was a very large attendance of London and provincial architects. Mr. T. H. Wyatt, President of the Institute, occupied the chair. Mr. C. L. Easriaxe, the Secretary, having read the minutes of the last ordinary general meeting of the Institute, announced several contributions to the Library. The Presmpenr said that it would be remembered that ashort time ago the Royal Academy of Sciences and Fine Arts at Brussels did the Institute the honour to ask it to send two representatives to the centenary meeting of the Academy at Brussels. The Institute had sent Professor Donaldson, ex-Presi- dent, and Mr. I’Anson, ex-Vice-President, to repre- sent it on that occasion. He (thechairman) proceeded to read a letter from Professor Donaldson, in which the writer said that Mr. I’Anson and himself duly attended the meetings of the Academy on Tuesday and Wednesday in last week. Three papers were read dealing with the different branches of art cul- tivated by the members of the Academy. On Tues- day the representatives were invited to the banquet of the Academy, and on Wednesday they were invited to dine with the King. The letter went on to speak of the very kind way in which the repre- sentatives of the Institute were received. The Presi- dent observed that the letter of Professor Donald- son must be very gratifying to all members of the Institute: indeed, to the architectural profession in this country generally. PRESENTATION OF ROYAL GOLD MEDAL AND INSTITUTE PRIZES FOR 1862. The Presmpent said: I have now to perform the agreeable task of presenting the Royal Gold Medal of the Institute to the Secretary of the Aus- trian Legation, who is kind enough to attend on behalf of Herr Schmidt, of Vienna, the distinguished architect to whom the Council this year recommended that the Royal Gold Medal should be awarded. That recommendation was graciously approved by her spondence (Mr. F. P. Cockerell) has received a long and interesting letter from Herr Schmidt, half in French and half in German. This letter has been, as far as possible, translated. In it the writer ex- presses his sense of the great mark of distinction conferred upon him, and also his extreme regret at not being acquainted with the English language, which, of course, precludes him from more frequently communicating with architects in this country. The letter continued, ‘‘ I trust, however, that there is a language—viz., the language which translates itself into stone—that is common to us all—(hear, hear)—for it is that which has enabled me to become a member of your society, and which has raised me to the position I now hold.” Towards the end of his letter Herr Schmidt says: ‘‘ You inform me by your letter that it is customary for the recipient of this great honour to attend in person to receive the medal, In reference to this invitation I regret that Iam at present unable to say whether I can be present, as I have been asked to undertake the duties of one of the judges of the competition designs for the new German Houses of Parliament in the impe- rial city of Berlin.” I believe our Hon. See. for Foreign Correspondence has since received a letter from Herr Schmidt, in which he positively states his inability to be present. I will, therefore, ask the Secretary of the Legation to step forward to receive the medal on behalf of Herr Schmidt. The Secrerary of the AustRIAN LEGATION was addressed by the President as follows: As the official recipient of this medal, Sir, I beg you will convey to Herr Schmidt our great regret at his not being able to attend this meeting. We were most anxious to have made his personal acquaintance, as we have already made his acquaintance through his great works, such as the new Houses of Parliament at Vienna, his church at Diisseldorf, the Votive Kirche at Vienna, and seyeral others, which he has been kind enough to illustrate by photographs. We are aware of the very important position to which Herr Schmidt has raised himself, and recognising his high and honourable position, we have felt that in con- ferring upon him this medal we are only rendering a mere debt of honour to one who well deserves it. (Hear, hear.) You will likewise be kind enough to inform him that he stands in very honourable com- pany. His colleagues in this honour are men of world-wide reputation, and possess such names as Hittorff, Viollet le Duc, Texier, and Lepsius, and I have not the least doubt that he will do honour to his confreres. Also, I beg you will inform him that if ever he comes to Eng- land it will be a great gratification to us, his English colleagues, to assure him in person of the great esteem in which we hold him. I beg you to accept this medal on his behalf, and to transmit it to him with our best congratulations. The Secretary of LeGarion said he begged to return thanks on behalf of Professor Schmidt for the kind manner in which the announcement of this high distinction was received, and he also wished to express his own personal gratification in seeing that a countryman of his own was thought worthy to be the recipient of so distinguished a mark of honour and merit. The Prestpent: I may go further, and say that another of your countrymen is a most distinguished architect, and it is not detracting from Herr Schmidt’s merits when I say that Herr Ferstel has produced works very little, if at all, inferior to those by Herr Schmidt. We trust we shall some day have the honour of conferring the same distinction upon Herr Ferstel as has this year been conferred upon Herr Schmidt. The Soanre MepAtiion.—The Soane Medallion, and under certain conditions, the sum of £50, for the best design, well illustrated by a sufficient num- ber of drawings, for the following subject: A town hall of moderate size in a country town, on a site 150ft. by 100ft., with a public thoroughfare on two sides, south and east. Gained by Mr. Redding. The Preswent, addressing Mr. Redding, said he had great pleasure in handing to him the Soane Medallion. The designs submitted by him showed a considerable amount of knowledge and skill in composition and detail, and were highly creditable productions, It was to be hoped that the continental tour for which this prize would furnish the means would add to Mr. Redding’s power and talent. Sitver MepAt or THe InstrtuTe FOR MEASURED Drawincs.—The Silver Medal of the Institute, with five guineas, for the best illustrations, geometrically drawn from actual measurement (with dimensions figured both on the drawings showing the general arrangements and on the details), together with de- scriptive particulars, of an abbey gateway, a bridge, or other building of importance, Classical or Medieval, in the United Kingdom or abroad, not hitherto published in that manner, Gained by Mr. Fred. H. Reed, for his measured drawings of Tatter- shall Castle, Lincolnshire. The PrestpENt, in presenting the prize to Mr. Reed, said that the Institute had seldom, if ever, had a more complete set of drawings submitted to it in competition for this prize than Mr. Reed’s. They showed great talent, great knowledge, and considerable feeling for the period of architecture which Mr. Reed had chosen to work in. It was very gratifying to find that a pupil of an old mem- ber and very active supporter of the Institute (Pro- fessor T. Hayter Lewis) had taken so distinguished a position. Mr. Reed’s drawings were about to be published, and the Institute, appreciative of their great value, had subscribed towards their publica- tion. (Applause.) MepAt or Menrir.—A silver medal of merit was also presented in this competition to Mr. M. F. C. Deschon, for his drawings of All Saints’ Church, Eddington, Wilts., the President remarking that the drawing illustrated one of the finest churches in England. Certificates of merit were also presented in this competition to Mr. John Langham and Mr, Bryan Oliver. Both these gentlemen were complimented by the President for the excellence of their works. Srupenr’s Prize.—Student’s prize in books, gained by Mr. W. Scott, for his design for a stair- case in a domestic building. Mr. Prex’s Prize of £42 for the best set of mea- sured drawings, illustrating the restoration of East- bury Manor House, Barking. Gained by Mr. Streat- feild.” The Prestpent, in presenting the prize, expressed his great gratification at such a complete and care- this building, recently appeared in the BUILDING NEWs.
 * Majesty. Our Honorary Secretary for Foreign Corre-
 * An abstract of a paper by Mr. Streatfeild, describing