XVI

INTRODUCTION.

t I I-

m

throughout its whole extent, with windows, there would have been no space for paintings,—at least only in small compartments, on that side; consequently the decoration would havebeen patchy and one-sided. To what I have already said respecting the situation selectedfor the doors from the staircase, I may here add that the view of those paintings as beheldthrough the two rows of columns, immediately on entering, and before any idea is obtainedof the room itself, must prove little less than enchanting, especially as their effect will beconsiderably heightened by the light being thrown down upon them, while the nearest co-lumns are comparatively in shade. A more lovely and brilliant coup cTceil will hardly bemet with in interior architecture,—rich, classical, and eminently picturesque—an exquisitesubject for the pencil of a Mackensie, a Stephanoff, or some one of our other able artistswho have distinguished themselves in the treatment of architectural interiors.—Well maythe good people of Manchester be proud of so singularly beautiful a public Hall. I speakin all sincerity, and the better to convince you that I do so, as well as to show my criticaldiscrimination, will now add a spice of objection. One thing, and almost only one, I couldw'ish to have been otherwise:—in my opinion the whole would have been improved hadthere been a single chimney piece opposite the windows in the central division; because atpresent there is a blank where there ought, to be some important, feature, answering to themiddle window facing it. This might be remedied by introducing a statue upon a loftypedestal, on a projecting base, constructed so as to form a sort of tribune for the chairmanor speaker at public meetings.—Besides its intrinsic beauties, I consider the apartment • afine study for the young architect, it being so rich in ideas that it can hardly fail to suggestmany other beautiful variations and combinations.”

Should the above remarks be deemed too encomiastic or too partial, it is for the readerto deduct from the commendation as much as his own taste and judgment shall dictate; andshould any of those that have examined the building itself be at all inclined to assent tothem upon the whole, the architect will have no reason to be ashamed of that specimen ofhis professional talents.

i f

4