Iron block and ball latches are provided for each of the gates. On pages 148 and 149 are cuts of the wheel block, with the plan, elevation, and section of the stopping-piece or fall-down latch. The stopping-piece is keyed into the granite curb in the centre of each gateway; a a is the lower rail of gates, and by its side is a small portion of the ornament between the rails. That the effect of the whole structure was, very much injured by the unfinished state of the pedestals was the opinion of Lord Llanover, who sent the following letter to the architect, expressing his dissatisfaction:

Great Stanhope Street,
July 11, 1859.

Sir,

The works at the Queen’s Gate, Hyde, Park, are very well executed, and the entrance, as completed, produces a good effect; but that effect would be materially improved if the gates and the railings, and the ornamental works were relieved by colour, and some of the parts gilt as I intended they should be. The two pedestals are also without the groups which were to form the superstructure of the square blocks. The work so far as it is executed is very well executed, and I am quite satisfied with it so far; but I shall not consider it completed until the groups are placed on the pedestals, and the best effect will not be produced so long as the iron-work remains wholly black.

I am, Sir,
Yours faithfully,
Llanover.

C. J. Richardson, Esq.

ON THE FOUNDATION AND BASEMENT
WALLS OF BUILDINGS,
DAMP PREVENTION, AND
FIRE PROOF CONSTRUCTION.

THE foundations of buildings require careful consideration. When a house approaches completion and shows cracks in the upper walls, they arise either from insufficient attention having been given to the solid character of the earth forming the site, or from bad construction at the basement. The building in fact settles down unequally. As a settlement of every building is certain to take place upon its completion, the greatest precaution should be taken to make it as equable as possible. No portion should settle deeper than another, and this can only be secured by care at the foundations.

It often happens that portions of a selected site are of unequal quality. In such cases it is necessary to excavate the worst portions deeper to reach a good stratum, and to take the brickwork lower, no filling up beyond the usual thickness of concrete being allowed.