[66] The ground of this monstrous statement was the warm personal friendship and constant support, which he had received from Sir E. Cust, ever since the building of the Travellers’ Club, and more especially their connection in a late discussion as to the alteration and improvement of the National Gallery.
[67] Extract from Minutes of Evidence taken 10th March, 1836, by the Select Committee on Houses of Parliament, Sir John Hobhouse in the Chair. Ordered to be printed, 9th March, 1836.
[68] When Mr. Barry was attacked again in 1844, one of those, who had taken a prominent part against him, wrote to him, begging to be allowed to take part in any movement of his professional friends in his defence, and offering any consultation or advice, which might be “offered by a friend and admirer.”
[69] Those who know Professor Donaldson, will be surprised at nothing in him, which indicates indignation at supposed injustice and generous support of a character unjustly assailed. But these motives were here quickened by a warm personal friendship, of which Mr. Barry always preserved a deep and grateful sense.
[70] Some delay also was caused by a great strike of masons in the employment of Messrs. Grissell and Peto, in September, 1841.
[71] It was thought by some that the architect’s protest should have been made earlier. But in the early part of Dr. Reid’s career such protest would have been entirely unavailing. His plans had succeeded, on the whole, well in the temporary House of Commons, and nothing but experience could prove the futility of their application on an enormous scale. Mr. Barry contented himself with quietly making provision for the substitution of more practicable arrangements, when the crash, which he foresaw to be inevitable, should arrive.
[72] Thus, for example, in a letter to the ‘Times,’ Mr. Denison thinks proper to speak of the “stupidity of Sir C. Barry and his crew of handmakers and certificate-writers.”
[73] In a treatise on “Clocks and Watches” (4th edition), Weale, 1860.
[74] Professor Wallis, the President of the Astronomical Society, and the President of the Society of Civil Engineers, were suggested by Mr. Vulliamy in his letter. Mr. Dent in a letter to the Board of Works on November 14th, 1845, requested permission to erect the clock, “subject to the approbation of the Astronomer Royal, Mr. Barry, and Sir John (or Mr. George) Rennie being referees.”
[75] Their estimated expense was 100l., about 5-1/2 per cent. on the original contract.