61 sioners; but none of them were considered sufficiently available, inasmuch as brick walls and all other materials, at one time considered necessary, for so great an undertaking, would not only probably have occupied too much time in building, but would also have been of too substantial a character for a cleanly and speedy removal, to which the Commissioners were pledged to the inhabitants around, when the time fixed for the close of the Exhibition should arrive. At this juncture Mr. Paxton, the principal botanist to the Duke of Devonshire, came to the rescue, and suggested a building of a light ironwork frame, to be covered entirely with glass, after the model of his Conservatory at Chatsworth: providing at the same time plans and drawings for the purpose. The Commissioners were delighted, the Public astounded, and up rose this magic structure, which in the short space of seven months was completed, proved, and in every way considered as the only perfectly eligible building that could have been suggested: and among all the wonders of the World's Fair stood, preeminently, the most wonderful of all. PAGE 40, NOTE 21. Or the fair Transept with its broad roof curled Hyde Park, in which the building was erected, being public property, it was considered that the removal of certain trees on the space selected, would have been an act of injustice to the people: to overcome which difficulty, the Transept was added at the suggestion of Mr. Barry, which not only improved the beauty of the exterior, but also lent, by the preservation of the trees, an additional charm to the interior; where all that was, was really necessary, from the first to the last, the most inconsiderable to the most considerable, to com G plete that perfection which contrast alone secures, and without which everything must be comparatively uninteresting. PAGE 42, NOTE 22. Not of Devouring War, that damned Fiend, Profanes with sacred blood God's blessed ground. This picture of frightful war, however appalling, is not in the least exaggerated, or at all equal to the reality. The horrible swearing, cursing, and blasphemy of wounded, miserable wretches, who supplicate and command in turn, their more fortunate comrades to knock their brains out, to relieve them from their dreadful agonies, which, when not complied with, renders them frantic; and oaths, menaces, and fearful imprecations, are showered upon Man, the World, and even the GREAT GOD Himself, until death puts an end to their sufferings. Mutilated horses, with their poor legs shot off, linger, starve, and die. Plunderers or camp followers, rifle and do not hesitate to kill, to secure their object; and dentists are plentifully supplied with teeth from the dying and the dead: while a knot of soldiers will stand, make wagers, and deliberately shoot down these fellows as they are pursuing their detestable avocation. Sporting in the midst of carnage-careless of the present-heedless of a Future-and lost to everything but Such is War! And what can become of their souls, who uphold, permit, trade in, survive, and perish in War? Let those who dare answer! blood! PAGE 51, NOTE 23. 'Tis said the Pen is mightier than the Sword. "The sword was From an old Jewish Fable, which begins :taken down to be cleaned. The rust was easily rubbed off; but there were spots that would not be removed: they were spots of blood. It was laid on the table by the Pen of the Secretary, which took the advantage of the first breath of air to move further off. 'Thou art right,' said the Sword, 'for I am not so desirable a companion.' 'I fear thee not,' replied the Pen, for I am mightier than thou art.' 'I exterminate,' said the Sword. 'And I perpetuate,' returned the Pen. 'Where would be thy victories did I not record them? Even where thou thyself shalt one day be, in the Lake of Oblivion." " THE END. Brewster, Frinter, Hand Court, Dowgate. |