Personal and Professional Recollections (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1879 edition. Excerpt: ... professional career I had not mentioned the terminus of the Midland Railway which had not indeed then come into my hands. I was persuaded (after more than once declining) by my excellent friend Mr. Joseph Lewis, a leading director of that Company, to enter into a limited competition for their new terminus. I made my design while detained for several weeks with Mrs. Scott by the severe illness of our son Alwyne, at a small seaside hotel at Hayling in September and October, 1865. I completely worked out the whole design then, and made elevations to a large scale with details. It was in the same style which I had almost originated several years earlier, for the government offices, but divested of the Italian element. . The great shed-like roof had been already designed by Mr. Barlow, the engineer, and as if by anticipation its section was a pointed arch. I was successful in the competition, and the building has ever since been in progress, having been undertaken in sections, of which the last is now ordered. This work has been spoken of by one of the revilers of my profession with abject contempt. I have to set off against this, the too excessive praise of it which I receive from other quarters. It is often spoken of to me as the finest building in London; my own belief is that it is possibly too good for its purpose, but having been disappointed, through Lord Palmerston, of my ardent hope of carrying out my style in the Government offices, and the subject having been in the meanwhile taken out of my hands by other architects, I was glad to be able to erect one building in that style in London. I had carried it out already in a few instances, in the provinces; of which the most remarkable are the Town Hall at Preston, Kelham Hall in...