Fig. 1.

Fig. 2.

A

Figure 1 is an external elevation; fig. 2 a section; and fig. 3, a top plan of this improved holder. AA is the body, which is made hollow, and is closed at bottom, but is left open at top, where it terminates in a ring, b, of ivory, silver, or any other kind of metal, covered, or not covered with leather, gutta percha, or other suitable material. C is a piece of vulcanized India rubber, or other suitable material, which is stretched across the opening in the top of the holder, in the manner shown in figs. 2 and 3, but has an orifice, a, cut in the centre to allow of the stick of the whip, &c.,

being passed through, and into the body of the holder when required. There are also small cuts, or slits, dd, made in this piece to facilitate the entrance and withdrawal of the whip, &c., and also to admit of its adapting itself more securely to the form of the article required to be held. The orifice, a, is made of much smaller diameter than the stick or whip, in order that it may exert a kind of spring, and so hold the article firm in its place, and prevent the wear and tear so incidental to the ordinary kind of holders.

A series of interesting experiments have just been concluded at the Birmingham Waterworks, relative to the strength of Gutta Percha Tubing, with a view to its applicability for the conveyance of water. The experiments were made (under the direction of Henry Rofe, Esq., Engineer), upon tubes threequarters of an inch diameter and oneeighth of gutta percha. These were attached to the iron main, and subjected for two months to a pressure of 200 feet head of water, without being in the slightest degree deteriorated. In order to ascertain if possible the maximum strength of the tubes, they were connected with the Water Company's hy

draulic proving pump, the regular load of which is 250 lbs. on the square inch. At this point the tubes were unaffected, and the pump was worked up 337 lbs., but to the astonishment of every one the tubes still remained perfect. It was then proposed to work the pump up to 500 lbs., but it was found that the lever of the valve would bear no more weight. The utmost power of the hydraulic pump could not burst the tubes.

The gutta percha being somewhat elastic, allowed the tubes to become slightly expanded by the extraordinary pressure which was applied, but on its withdrawal they resumed their former size.

Whether the " suggestions" here thrown out will ever be acted upon, even in a modified form, is exceedingly problematical; but it is almost certain that the "Observations" will excite some stir, and no doubt will in time win their way to permanent reputation. The subject which Mr. Fergusson has now taken up is an important, because a national one, and the ability with which he treats it is such as to command attention. Hitherto the British Museum has been generally regarded with a sulky silence, as cold and as chilling as the architecture of the edifice itself; for in no one instance-as far as we are aware-has it received aught of cordial approbation. Where criticism has been brought to bear openly upon it, "blame," as Mr. Fergusson says, "has been loud and deep. That a structure on which just about 700,0001. of the public money has been expended, should be an utter failure as a work of art, that it is in some respects actually paltry, so clumsily put together that we perceive the Ionic façade to be merely stuck on to a brick building of a very ordinary, workhouse-like appearance, was nearly enough to put us out of conceit with the Museum as a building, and with Sir R. Smirke as an architect. To that mortification, however, Mr. Fergusson now adds, by proving and he does so by examining it room by room-that it is as defective, and as badly contrived for its purposes, as it well could be. Strange to say, however, Mr. Fergusson entirely exculpates the architect himself, by affecting to consider him as compelled to act, and therefore acting merely according to the directions given him by the trustees. Yet their instructions could have been no more than general ones, in complying with which it was for

* "Observations on the British Museum, National Gallery, and National Record Office; with Suggestions for their Improvement." By James Fergusson, M.R. I.B.A., author of "An Historical Inquiry into the True Principles of Beauty in Art," &c. &c. With two plans. London: J. Weale.

the architect to show artistic forte, and his skill in overcoming untoward circumstances, whether arising from matter-of-fact obstacles, or from the caprices and obstinacy of his employers. Mr. Fergusson would, apparently at least, make out Sir R. Smirke to have been all along no more than a sort of clerk of the works, acting under the immediate direction and dictation of the Trustees; and if Sir Robert pow chooses to avail himself of that loophole, by coming forward and saying that such was actually the case, and that officiating as a mere clerk of the works, he has pocketed about 35,0007.-why well and good. Until he does so, he must bear the brunt of criticism, and it surely is the very least he can do in return for a quantum of remuneration, which is otherwise excessive and enormously disproportioned to what he has actually done. How far the whitewashing here bestowed on him has helped to improve the architect's appearance in the eyes of the public, may be judged when Mr. Fergusson says, among a good many other somewhat bitter things, that "the Museum could have been better done for one-sixth of what has been expended on the present building!" If his calculations be correct, the seven dwelling-houses alone (which are very injudiciously thrust forward as external wings, and thereby mar the effect of the colonnaded façade) cost 80,000l., or between 11,000l. and 12,0007. a piece; which reckless extravagance has not even consistency to excuse it, because, with the exception of the front and its colonnades, the exterior of the Museum itself is merely of brick, and withal makes not the slightest pretension to architectural design,-perhaps because Greek columns compose the alpha and omega of Sir R. Smirke's science; therefore as he was not allowed to envelope the whole structure with them, he dropped design altogether when he got to the corners of his front.

Although the mischief which has actually been done, cannot now be undone, Mr. Fergusson's "Observations" are likely,—

because calculated-to do a great deal of good; first, by opening the eyes of the public, and warning them to inquire into similar matters before mischief be committed; and in the next place, by convincing those who have the management of such matters, that, though they may be de facto irresponsible for their doings, and may ward off from themselves public animadversion, they cannot act with complete impunity, but must, in the long run, pay for their whimsiness and favouritism, by having public censure inflicted upon their doings, if not directly upon themselves; they themselves, being screened from it by the imper. sonality of a collective body.

Without exactly subscribing to every one of the remarks and opinions contained in Mr. Fergusson's brochure, we admire and applaud his fearless and uncompromising exposure of unpardonable mismanagement of public buildings that ought to be a credit to the nation, more especially as they have been paid for, and that at an excessive rate. There is not, perhaps, in the whole country, another man who would have ventured to come forward and speak out with the same degree of freedom and boldness; and so far, Mr. Fergusson has distinguished himself most honourably, Most assuredly he has set an example very much needed that of speaking out plainly, and very forcibly, too, where nothing less than such exposure will ever correct the abuses which are now so rife in the management of buildings which the country has to pay for. Those employed upon such works, too, ought to be prepared to meet criticism, just as well as any other class of artists, or even a great deal better ;-because, as far as that vital part, their breeches-pocket, is concerned, success or failure is just the same.

If nothing else requires to be reformed in the present system of architectural practice, one abuse there is, which is not adverted to at all by Mr. Fergusson, and that is, the allowing architects to profit by their own mistakes-or perhaps intentional deceptions. Estimates would not be so grossly exceeded as they now frequently

are, were it made, as in all fairness it ought to be, an imperative rule, that an architect should be entitled to no farther commission than upon the sum set forth in his own original estimate, in which he ought to make due allowance for unforeseen contingencies. Were such wholesome rule to be acted upon, the Houses of Parliament,which, by-the-by, Mr. Fergusson scruples not to call a failure also,-would not have already cost Two Millions, when Mr. Barry's estimate for them was under 800,000. An excess of 100,000l. might have been winked at; but an excess of Twelve hundred thousand and odd pounds, and an odd penny to boot, is, as the late Lord Liverpool would have said, "really too bad!" If that same odd penny does not partake of the farcical, or rather is not downright farce altogether, we know not what is. Surely, as some of our contemporaries have said, it is now full time to stop-at least to pauseand to leave to the next generation the task of completing, should they think proper, so enormously-we had almost said so shamefully, dear a pile.

ere

Mr. Fergusson threatens us with-at least prognosticates that there will long be a demand for-another costly affair, namely, a new Palace. Now, Heaven forfend! What with first building them, and then patching them up, John Bull has paid enough for palaces already. With no sort of regard to decency, could it now be proposed to erect another building of the kind, just after 150,0007. has been expended in improving Buckingham Palace. Improvement, it must be confessed, there keeps within doors, but it will perhaps come out and show itself as soon as the marble arch

takes its departure. Where it is to go to is not even yet decided; although that might have been done very long ago, Mr. Blore's plan having from the very first decided that go it must. If newspaper on dits are to be trusted, it is likely to be removed to Windsor, where it will be like a turned-off servant-out of place. Various sites have from time to time been suggested for it, and we think that the very best of them all

is the one lately proposed in the Athenæum, namely, the front of the Museum; that is on the site of the present gateway where it is intended at all events to have some kind of structure as a porter's lodge, into which the arch might very easily be converted without other alteration than that of closing up the side passages, and making the two smaller arches handsome recesses for the sentinels on guard, instead of having the paltry wooden sentry-boxes which now disfigure and disgrace the entrances to our Palaces and Government buildings. As to any doubt how the arch would show itself in front of the Museum, that may easily enough be dispelled by merely having a perspective drawing-or rather two or three such drawings from different points of view-made of the Museum and the arch so combined; and unless we are greatly mistaken, the arch would materially help the building by grouping with it picturesquely, and breaking up the stiff monotony of the colonnades, and counteracting that "cold and unartistic" appearance which Mr. Fergusson complains of. Though we thus return again to Mr. F., we can now only take leave of him with our most hearty thanks for his excellent "Observations," which we trust will not have been thrown away upon those who act as guardians to John Bull, in matters of taste, and who have the fingering of his money.

FAIRBAIRN'S " CONWAY AND MENAI
TUBULAR BRIDGES."*

We owe the early appearance of this great work-in any case a most welcome oneto the unfortunate difference of opinion which is known to exist between Mr. Fairbairn and Mr. Robert Stephenson regarding their respective shares in the invention of

• "An Account of the Construction of the Britannia and Conway Tubular Bridges. With a complete History of their Progress, from the Conception of the original idea to the Conclusion of the Elaborate Experiments, which determined the Exact Form and Mode of Construction ultimately adopted. By William Fairbairn, C. E., Memb. Inst. Civil Engineers, &c." pp. 291. Royal 8vo. With numerous Plates.

the tubular bridge system, of which the Conway and Menai Bridges are the first, and will probably for ever remain the most remarkable specimens. Mr. Stephenson has boldly and unreservedly claimed for himself the entire merit, of having not only first conceived the idea of constructing a tubular bridge, of such huge dimensions as to allow the passage of locomotive engines and railway trains through the interior of it, and of such length as to span distances of from 400 to 500 feet, but of having satisfied himself by laborious investigation and calculation of "the perfect feasibility of the work" before consulting any one else on the subject; and he has assigned to Mr. Fairbairn, in a very slighting fashion, the place of a mere after-adviser-of one who, in common with two other gentlemen (Mr. Eaton Hodgkinson and Mr. Edward Clarke), but not more than either of them, assisted him in working out the theory which he "first broached." Mr. Fairbairn maintains, on the contrary, that the idea of the tubular bridge, though it unquestionably originated with Mr. Stephenson, was in his hands nothing more than a crude conception, very hesitatingly entertained, until he (Mr. Fairbairn) was called in to work it out, and that it has been mainly owing to his determined perseverance in the execution of the task confided to him, and to his nume. rous and elaborate experiments, that "the true principle on which tubular bridges should be constructed has been established, and Mr. Stephenson's original conception successfully carried into execution."

"At the period of the consultation in April, 1845, there were no drawings illustrative of the original idea of the bridge, nor had any calculations been made as to the strength, form, or proportions of the tube. I was asked whether such a design was practicable, and whether I could accomplish it; and it was ultimately arranged that the subject should be investigated experimentally, to determine, not only the value of Mr. Stephenson's original conception, but that of any other tubular form o bridge which might present itself in the pro secution of my researches. The matter was placed unreservedly in my hands; the entire

conduct of the investigation was entrusted to me; and, as an experimentor, I was to be left free to exercise my own discretion in the investigation of whatever forms or conditions of the structure might appear to me best calculated to secure safe passage across the Straits." p. 3.

The better half of the volume now before us is occupied in making out, by documentary evidence, the case set up by Mr. Fairbairn. We have read it carefully, and not, we must confess, without strong prepossessions in favour of the inculpated party, and an anxious wish to find that Mr. Fairbairn must have, somehow or other, deceived himself with respect to the extent of his claims. We feel honestly bound, however, to say, that the perusal has left us convinced, in spite of all prepossessions and leanings, that Mr. Fairbairn has not received at Mr. Stephenson's hands that justice to which he was entitled, but, on the contrary, has been treated most ungenerously and ungratefully. We will not say, that but for Mr. Fairbairn, the tubular bridge idea would never have been carried out into practice, for that would be, to assume that he engrossed in his single person all the practical skill of the country; but looking to the facts of the case as they stand, and as we see them established in the volume before us, beyond all possibility of dispute, we hesitate not to affirm, that it is more owing to Mr. Fairbairn than to any one other individual whatever-not excepting Mr. Stephenson himself—that it is now the triumphant reality which it is. Another might possibly have done the part which fell to the lot of Mr. Fairbairn as well; but none could possibly have done it better. He conceived and directed all the preliminary experiments-all, at least, with an exception or two, which were of any practical value-exhibiting therein a combination of philosophical painstaking with mechanical skill and ingenuity, such as is not often witnessed; he finally settled the form which it was best to give to the tube, and arranged the whole of the executive details; he personally superintended the construction of the Conway Bridge, which, our readers are aware, is but the Menai or Britannia Bridge on a smaller scale; and he only retired

from further co-operation with Mr. Stephenson in the affair, when nothing new was left to be discovered or achieved. The motives for his retirement are thus very fairly and temperately stated :

"I have now brought down this correspondence to the period when my official connection with the Chester and Holyhead Railway Company as engineer for the construction of the tubular bridges may be said to have virtually ceased; and I should willingly have passed over in silence the remainder of the events which transpired, were it not that the completeness of the narrative, as well as the justification of my conduct, demand some explanation independently of the regret which I experienced in withdrawing from an undertaking to which I had devoted so much time and thoughtan undertaking fraught with the greatest interest, and which had, as it were, grown up in all its magnificent proportions under my own directions-I can truly say that the disagreement which took place with Mr. Stephenson is on my part much deplored. But I trust that the reader of the foregoing pages will, at least, have arrived at the conclusion, that I had taken the most important part of developing, and in giving a practical form to Mr. Stephenson's idea; and also in the superintending the construction and erection of the first Conway tubes. The fact is, I laboured almost incessantly in devising plans, or in watching over the practical details of the work, from the day on which Mr. Stephenson's suggestion was communicated to me until the close of my engagement; and I can sincerely say that I was always actuated by the principle of leaving nothing undone which could in any way contribute to the successful accomplishment of the undertaking. Regardless of the prognostications of failure with which the scheme was assailed, and in despite of the opposition of those whose assistance I had solicited, I uniformly advocated the peculiar principle on which the Conway Bridge has been constructed.

"Such being my position, and viewing the extent of services I had rendered, it will, I think, be generally allowed that it was very natural that I should desire to have my name publicly associated with Mr. Stephenson's as joint engineer for these bridges. Indeed, it may very fairly be said, that I might have ventured to claim this distinction, since it had been conferred upon me by the Board of Directors on Mr. Stephenson's own recommendation. If, instead of success having crowned our efforts, failure had unfortunately ensued, would not my reputation have suffered as well as Mr.