We rejoice to see the site of Burleigh House partly occupied by the
above Building. Its object is to afford accommodation for the meetings
of Philanthropic Societies--so that whatever may be the olden
celebrity of the spot, it is reasonable to expect that its present
appropriation will be associated with the most grateful recollections.
This building is, perhaps, the most perfect erection of its kind in
England. The approach from the Strand is remarkably modest: it is by a
very narrow, though very chaste, door-way, situated between two
Corinthian columns and pilasters. Within the door is a hall, with two
flights of steps, which afterwards unite, and lead up to the entrance
of the great hall itself; the hall below leads into a broad passage,
which extends to the farther extremity of the building, opening right
and left into various offices. On entering the door of the great hall,
a vast and splendid room is presented to view, with scarcely a single
interruption to the eye throughout its whole extent, capable of
containing, with comfort, more than 3,000 persons. The floor is
covered with substantial oak seats, equal to the accommodation of
2,500 persons. The greater portion of these are situated on a gentle
rise, to permit a perfect view of the platform on which the
proceedings take place. The platform is raised about six feet from the
floor, and extends the whole breadth of the room, curving inwards, the
extremities bending towards the audience: it contains seats for nearly
300 individuals. Behind this gallery again, are very capacious
recesses, which will hold from three to four hundred persons. The
lower part of the walls of the room is quite plain, the architect,
probably, regarding the audience as a sufficient ornament in that
quarter, though the rising of the seats would obscure carved-work if
it were there. The windows are at a considerable height from the
ground, and are of dimmed glass, with a chaste and classical border.
The ceiling, which is at a noble height, is beautifully laid out in
squares, with borderings and rosettes. An oblong opening occurs in the
centre, with massive beams stretching across, presenting to view an
erection in the roof, a form of construction, probably, necessary to
so immense a mass of roofing, and serving also for the purposes of
ventilation, as it contains windows at each end. There are four
pillars near the end of the hall, rising to the ceiling, the capitals
of which, as also those of some pilasters at the upper extremity of
the hall, are exquisitely carved in straw-coloured marble. Behind the
platform are numerous and convenient committee-rooms. The word
"Philadelpheion," which may be rendered "loving brothers," is carved
in Greek capitals over the entrance in the Strand.[1]
Exeter Hall has been erected by subscription, by a public company
established for the purpose.
[1] Ballot Newspaper.
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