[Illustration: River Front of Hungerford Market.]
An act was obtained in 1830, incorporating a company of proprietors for
the re-establishment of _Hungerford Market_. The site of the old market
has been purchased, together with the surrounding houses, those in
Hungerford-street, and some few in the Strand, in order to ensure a
proper frontage and secure a convenient access to that thoroughfare.
Many of these buildings are pulled down. The architect of the New Market
is Mr. C. Fowler. The front to the river is completed externally, and
forms a very elegant structure, as represented in the above view. The
basement of the centre next the river constitutes the Fish-Market. The
wings are intended for taverns, connected by a colonnade with a terrace
which occupies the entire front. From the Fish-Market the ascent is by a
spacious flight of steps in the centre externally, and two staircases
within, at the extremities of the portico, which is separated from the
hall by a screen of arches. The hall, exclusive of the porticoes, is 157
feet long by 123 feet wide, consisting of a nave and two aisles, besides
ranges of shops against the side walls, with galleries over. These
galleries are approached by four staircases at the extremities. The
floor of the hall will be occupied by ranges of stands for casual
business, with convenient avenues between them. The galleries will be
appropriated for the sale of such articles as require a neat display,
and will be disposed somewhat in the manner of a bazaar, with a range of
counters, &c., and a walk in front. The roof of the nave, or centre
compartment of the building, being raised above the other parts by a
tier of open arches, ensures an ample supply of light and air; the roofs
of the aisles are likewise open in the centre, in order still further to
secure that important object. Underneath the whole of the hall is a
range of arched cellars or vaults, having approaches in various
directions. The upper court corresponds nearly with the lower court or
Fish-Market, but at the level of a story above it. The colonnades are
here combined with shops and dwellings for resident shopkeepers. The
columns, stairs, pavement, and parts of the front of this important
building are of granite.
We subjoin the measurements of the different divisions of the Market.
The width of the upper and lower areas is that of the uncovered space.
That of the Great Hail is the total width:
Length. Width.
feet. in. feet.
Upper Area 140 0 69
The Great Hall 157 0 123
Lower Area 130 0 63
The two Colonnades connecting the divisions,
and leading to Gallery-Staircases, each 11 6
Total width of building, river front 126
Total length of building from River to
Hungerford-street 475 6
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THE VILLAGE POOR-HOUSE. By a COUNTRY CURATE. Smith, Elder, & Co. 1832.
This little volume claims our attention by the high poetical talent it
displays. It professes, moreover, to describe the actual state of
feeling amongst the poor, or the labouring body in England--that class
of society to whose wants and improvement our humble labours are mainly
directed.