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
| Majesty. Our Honorary Secretary for Foreign Corre-
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-
- An abstract of a paper by Mr. Streatfeild, describing
this building, recently appeared in the BUILDING NEWs.
