(At the time of our last publication we were not aware that any
architectural details of the building in Chancery-lane had appeared. We
now find that the _Legal Observer_ contained such description in March
last, "collected," says the editor, "with some pains and trouble." A
correspondent dropped the _Observer_ leaf into our letter-box in the
course of last week; but, unfortunately, the communication did not reach
us in time for insertion with our Engraving. Good news, we know, usually
comes upon crutches, but we hope our thanks will reach this correspondent
at a better pace.)
The style of architecture of the principal front in Chancery-lane is
purely Grecian. The details and proportions appear to have been founded
upon the best examples of the Ionic order in Athens and Asia Minor,[2] but
they are not servilely copied from any of them.
Mr. Vulliamy, the architect for the Institution, has thrown into this
front the true spirit of the originals; and the effect which the
harmonious proportions of the building produce on the spectator, when
viewing it from Chancery-lane, must have been the result of much
observation and experience in ancient and classic models.
This front, extending nearly sixty feet in width, is of Portland stone. It
consists of four columns and two antae, of the Grecian Ionic order,
supporting an entablature and pediment, and forming together one grand
portico. To give the requisite elevation, the columns and antae are raised
upon pedestals; these, as well as the basement story and podium of the
inner wall of the portico, are of Aberdeen granite; the columns and the
rest of the front are formed of large blocks of Portland stone. In the
front wall, within the portico, there are two ranges of windows above the
basement.
The front in Bell-yard extends nearly eighty feet, and will be finished
with Roman cement, in imitation of stone. It will have a portico of two
columns, and two antae of Portland stone, of the height of the ground
story, which is very lofty, and the width of the entire compartment of the
front. From the interior requiring to be divided into several rooms, this
front must have many windows. The elevation is formed more upon the models
of modern domestic architecture than of ancient public buildings, and
resembles, in its general appearance, one of the palazzi in the Strada
Balbi at Genoa, in the Corso at Rome, or in the Toledo at Naples. In its
details, however, the extravagancies of the middle ages, and the often
elegant frivolities of the _cinque cento_ period, have been avoided, and
the breadth and simplicity of Greek models have still been followed.
The ground plan of the building, by its general arrangement, divides
itself into three parts, which may be distinguished under the heads of the
_Library_, the _Hall_, and the _Club Room_. The first of these (that
towards Chancery-lane) consists, on the ground floor, of a first and
second vestibule, and staircase to the Library, the Secretary's Room, and
Registry Office; and above these on the first floor, the Library,
occupying the height of two stories.
The _Library_ is a large and lofty room, fifty-five feet by thirty-one and
a half, and twenty-three and a half high, divided by a screen of columns
and pilasters of scagliola, into two unequal parts, the first forming a
sort of ante-library to the other; both are surrounded by bookcases of oak,
and a gallery runs round the whole, above which is another range of
bookcases.
The principal light is obtained from a large lantern-light in the ceiling;
but there is a range of windows (double sashed, and glazed with plate
glass) towards Chancery-lane, which also admit light into the lower part.
All the floors in the building are made fire-proof, generally by being
arched with brick; but that of the Library is rendered secure from fire by
the ceilings of the vestibules underneath being formed of real stone,
supported on iron girders and bearers, and divided into panels and
compartments after the manner of the roofs of the peristyles of the
ancient temples.
There are three entrances from Chancery-lane: that in the centre is
exclusively for members, and leads to all parts of the building; that on
the right for persons going to the Registry Office; and also for persons
having to speak to members; that on the left leads down to the Office for
the deposit of deeds, and to the strong rooms.
The second division consists of the _Hall_ and its appurtenances. It is
above thirty feet high, and fifty-seven feet and a half long; and on each
side it has wings or recesses, behind insulated columns of scagliola, in
imitation of Egyptian granite. Within these, and at the back of the
columns, are galleries; the staircases to which are concealed in the
angles. There are three fireplaces in the Hall; one in the centre,
opposite the principal entrance, and one in the centre of each of the
recesses. The Hall is lighted by a lantern-light forty feet long and
twenty-four feet wide.
The third division is next Bell-yard: it is subdivided into two parts. In
the first of these are three entrances from Bell-yard. That in the centre
is exclusively for the members; that to the left leads to the staircase to
the Secretary's apartments; and the other, to the right of the centre, is
for strangers to enter who have business to transact in any of the rooms
appropriated to public business. On the ground floor of this part of the
third division is a large Committee Room, and an ante or waiting room
adjoining, and the great staircase to the rooms above. On the first floor
are the rooms for meetings on matters of business connected with the law;
and above these are the Secretary's apartments.
The second part of the third division contains, on the ground floor, the
_Club Room_, which occupies all the ground floor: it will be divided by
columns and pilasters of scagliola, and decorated with a paneled ceiling
and appropriate ornaments. Its dimensions are fifty feet by twenty-seven,
and eighteen feet high. On the first floor are rooms of different
dimensions for dinner parties; and over these, rooms for the resident
officers. In the basement story of this part of the building are the
Kitchen and other domestic offices for the use of the Club.
The office for the deposit of deeds is in the basement story, next to
Chancery-lane.
In the remaining parts of the basement story of the building are fifty-two
strong rooms, with iron doors, for the deposit of deeds, which are well
ventilated and fire-proof; their average size is six feet and a half by
seven feet and a half, but some are larger, and others rather less, than
these dimensions. The whole are secured by one double iron door, with a
very strong lock and master-key.
[1] In our last we erroneously stated the whole of this building as
the work of Messrs. Lee, for £9,214.; only part of the carcase,
containing the Hall, Library, &c. being contracted for by those
builders for the above sum. Other contracts have since been made
for the completion of the building; of these, the principal is
with Messrs. Baker and Son (the builders of the King's library
and new galleries of the British Museum, &c.) who have executed
the beautiful finishings of the interior: these contracts amount
to upwards of £12,000.
Other contracts have been made with the above parties for the
erection of the Club House, and Dining Rooms, &c., situate in
Bell Yard, which is an addition subsequently made to the original
building.
[2] The best remains of Ionic buildings at Athens are the temples of
Erecthens and Minerva Pulias in the Acropolis, and the little
temple on the banks of the Ilissus; but in Asia Minor the examples
of this order are far more numerous; and some of the finest are to
be found amongst the magnificent ruins at Brauchidia, at Priene,
and at Teos, &c.
* * * * *