[56] I remember his quoting one day with great satisfaction the criticism of a working stonemason, behind whom he happened to stand, on a new building. “Well, it’s very fine; but somehow this here top doesn’t go with that ’ere bottom.”
[57] This arrangement was no doubt necessary from the confined nature of the ground. It cannot be considered as abstractedly desirable from a practical point of view; those who know the habits of boys will always desire to give them as few stairs as possible.
[58] He desired a larger and better lighted clerestory, but here economy interfered.
[59] A letter from Mr. Borrer on the subject ends thus:—“It is admirably adapted for the purpose for which it was designed—to be a house of prayer and Christian worship, according to the rites of the Church of England. I can never forget the kind way in which Sir Charles listened to a young man’s fancies, and tried to carry out all my ambitions.”
[60] The black lines mark the old work—all the lighter parts represent the new.
[61] I owe my information on this subject chiefly to the kindness of W. Leslie, Esq., architect, of Aberdeen, under whose direction the works were executed.
[62] Extract from Report of the Commissioners appointed by His Majesty to examine and Report upon the Plans which might be offered by the competitors for re-building the Houses of Parliament. Dated, Feb. 29th, 1836.
[63] The exact sum named by Messrs. Seward and Chawner was (deducting 14,000l. as the value of old materials) 693,104l., to which was to be added 129,000l. for the embankment, purchase of land, &c., together with “a further and considerable expense, which cannot at present be satisfactorily ascertained,” for fittings and furniture of the residence, libraries, committee-rooms, offices, &c., for the provision for the records, for lighting, warming, and ventilating, for the great clock and bell. See quotation in pp. 3, 4 of Parliamentary Paper, No. 374, of Session of 1856.
[64] The first vote of money was passed on July 3rd, 1837.
[65] See ‘Recollections of A. W. Pugin,’ c. xviii. p. 242.