Part 1

# The Crystal Palace : $b its architectural history and constructive marvels ### By Berlyn, Peter

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Transcriber's note: Text enclosed by underscores is in italics (_italics_).

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[Illustration: Transverse Section of the Building, showing the Interior completed.]

The

Crystal Palace:

Its

Architectural History

and

Constructive Marvels.

By

Peter Berlyn, and Charles Fowler, Junr.

London:

James Gilbert, Paternoster Row.

mdcccli.

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PREPARING FOR PUBLICATION BY

JAMES GILBERT, 49 PATERNOSTER ROW,

(UNIFORM WITH THE PRESENT VOLUME),

The Curiosities and Wonders

contained within

The Crystal Palace.

BY

PETER BERLYN, ESQ.

Illustrated by Several Hundred Engravings.

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[Illustration]

TO HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS PRINCE ALBERT,

The Following Pages,

DESCRIPTIVE OF

THE ARCHITECTURAL AND CONSTRUCTIVE MARVELS OF

THE STOREHOUSE OF THE WORLD'S WONDERS

OF ART, SCIENCE, AND MANUFACTURE,

ARE, BY PERMISSION, MOST HUMBLY DEDICATED,

AS A SLIGHT TRIBUTE

OF THE ADMIRATION AND GRATITUDE

WHICH, IN COMMON WITH THE WHOLE CIVILIZED WORLD,

ARE AMPLY SHARED IN BY

HIS ROYAL HIGHNESS'S

MOST DEVOTED, FAITHFUL, AND OBEDIENT SERVANT,

THE PUBLISHER.

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Contents.

PAGE. INTRODUCTORY REMARKS 1 COMMITTEE FOR ALL MATTERS RELATING TO THE BUILDING 2 LABOURS OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE 3 THE COMPETITION DESIGNS 6 BUILDINGS USED FOR PREVIOUS EXHIBITIONS IN FRANCE, GERMANY, AND ENGLAND 15 DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE'S DESIGN 21 OPPOSITION TO THIS DESIGN 24 THE TENDERS 24 HISTORY OF MR. PAXTON'S DESIGN 27 GENERAL DESCRIPTION OF THE BUILDING 33 THE PAXTON'S GUTTERS 40 THE SASH-BARS 44 THE RIDGES 46 THE GLASS 46 THE BOX GUTTERS 47 THE ROOF GIRDERS 47 THE IRON DRILLING MACHINE 49 THE PUNCHING MACHINE 50 THE ADZING AND PLANING MACHINE 51 THE COLUMNS AND CONNECTING-PIECES 52 THE BASE-PIECES 53 THE CAST-IRON GIRDERS 54 THE GALLERIES 55 TESTING THE CAST-IRON GIRDERS 55 ROOF OF TRANSEPT 58 THE FACEWORK 59 THE DIAGONAL BRACING 60 THE STAIRCASES 60 THE FLOOR AND FOUNDATIONS 62 FIRST OPERATIONS ON THE GROUND 63 SETTING-OUT THE GROUND 64 FIXING THE BASE-PLATES 65 HENDERSON'S DERRICK CRANE 67 RAISING AND FIXING THE COLUMNS AND GIRDERS 68 HOISTING THE ROOF TRUSSES 69 PROVISION FOR EXPANSION OF GIRDERS 70 GLAZING THE ROOF 71 STAGE FOR REPAIRING THE GLASS, ETC. 73 HOISTING THE RIBS FOR TRANSEPT ROOF 73 GLAZING THE TRANSEPT ROOF 76 THE PAINTING 76 THE HAND-RAIL MACHINE 78 GENERAL VIEW OF THE WORKS 79 PAYING THE WORKMEN 80 GENERAL STATISTICS 82 THE PARTI-COLOURED PAINTING 83 THE WATER SUPPLY 87 THE STABILITY OF THE BUILDING 87 TESTING THE GALLERIES 88 GENERAL ADVANTAGES OF THE BUILDING 89 CONCLUSION 89

APPENDIX:-- LIST OF COMPETITORS FOR THE BUILDING i LIST A.--COMPETITORS ENTITLED TO FAVOURABLE MENTION vi LIST B.--COMPETITORS ENTITLED TO FURTHER HIGHER HONORARY DISTINCTION viii THE TWO COMPETITION DESIGNS SPECIALLY MENTIONED BY THE BUILDING COMMITTEE ix MEMORANDUM ON THE SITE xi REPORT OF THE ROYAL COMMISSIONERS, PRESENTED TO HER MAJESTY ON THE OPENING OF THE BUILDING xvii

List of Illustrations.

PAGE. TRANSVERSE SECTION OF THE BUILDING, SHOWING THE INTERIOR COMPLETED-- _frontispiece_. PLAN OF THE BUILDING FOR THE FRENCH EXPOSITION IN 1849 16 VIEW OF THE PRINCIPAL ENTRANCE OF THE SAME 17 INTERIOR VIEW OF THE "PALACE" 18 INTERIOR VIEW OF THE CATTLE-SHED 19 VIEW OF KROLL'S WINTERGARTEN AT BERLIN _facing_ 19 PLAN OF KROLL'S WINTERGARTEN 20 VIEW OF THE BIRMINGHAM EXPOSITION BUILDING 20 GROUND-PLAN OF THE DESIGN OF THE BUILDING COMMITTEE _facing_ 22 EXTERIOR VIEW OF THE SAME _facing_ 24 COMMON MODE OF GLAZING ROOFS 28 METHOD BY RIDGE AND FURROW 29 CUTTERS OF MR. PAXTON'S SASH-BAR MACHINE 30 THE VICTORIA REGIA HOUSE, CHATSWORTH 32 INTERIOR OF THE SAME 33 GROUND-PLAN OF THE BUILDING FOR THE EXHIBITION 34 VIEW OF ONE 24-FEET SQUARE BAY OF ROOF PARTLY COMPLETED 36 PORTION OF THE LOWER STOREY OF THE PRINCIPAL ELEVATIONS 37 VIEW OF THE INTERIOR OF THE TRANSEPT _facing_ 38 VIEW OF GLASS ROOF FROM THE LEAD FLAT _facing_ 39 GENERAL VIEW OF THE BUILDING FROM THE SOUTH-WEST _facing_ 40 THE EXTERNAL RAILING 40 SECTION OF THE PAXTON'S GUTTER, WITH THE STRONG SASH-BAR 41 THE CIRCULAR PLANING MACHINE 41 PORTION OF THE SAME SHOWING DETAIL 41 SECTIONS OF THE PAXTON'S GUTTER, SHOWING DIFFERENT STAGES IN THE MACHINE 42 THE GUTTER-CUTTING MACHINE 42 MACHINE FOR FINISHING ENDS OF GUTTERS AND RIDGES 43 MACHINE FOR CUTTING OUT SASH-BARS 44 THE SASH-BAR DRILLING MACHINE 45 PORTION OF THE SAME, ENLARGED 46 SECTION OF THE RIDGES, ETC 46 DIAGRAM OF 48-FEET GIRDER 48 DIAGRAM OF 72-FEET GIRDER 48 THE IRON DRILLING MACHINE 50 THE PUNCHING MACHINE AND SHEARS 50 THE ADZING-CUTTERS 51 THE ADZING AND PLANING MACHINE 52 SECTION OF A COLUMN 52 A BASE-PIECE 54 VIEW OF THE INTERIOR FROM THE LEVEL OF GALLERIES _facing_ 55 FRAME AND HYDRAULIC PRESS FOR TESTING THE GIRDERS 56 INTERIOR VIEW OF THE CENTRAL AVENUE TOWARDS THE WEST _facing_ 58 LOUVRE FRAME 60 VIEW OF STAIRCASE 61 FIXING CAST-IRON DRAIN-PIPE 62 VIEW OF CRANE AND PROVING-PRESS 66 HENDERSON'S DERRICK CRANE 67 PORTIONS OF THE SAME 67 FIXING THE GIRDERS 68 GENERAL VIEW OF THE WORKS IN PROGRESS _facing_ 69 HOISTING THE 72-FEET TRUSSES 70 GLAZING-WAGGON FOR FLAT ROOF 72 A PAIR OF RIBS PREPARED FOR RAISING 74 HOISTING THE RIBS FOR THE TRANSEPT ROOF _facing_ 75 STAGE FOR GLAZING TRANSEPT ROOF 76 THE SASH-BAR PAINTING MACHINE 77 PORTION OF THE SAME IN DETAIL 77 THE HAND-RAIL CUTTING MACHINE 78 PORTION OF THE SAME 78 THE BRASS TICKETS FOR WORKMEN 80 THE INTERIOR OF THE PAY-OFFICE 81 THE MEN TAKING THEIR WAGES 81 THE WORKMEN WAITING TO BE PAID 82 VIEW OF THE BUILDING FROM THE NORTH BANK OF THE SERPENTINE _facing_ 86 TESTING AN EXPERIMENTAL BAY OF THE GALLERY FLOOR _facing_ 88 VIEW OF THE BOILER-HOUSE, ETC. _facing_ 88 VIEW OF SOUTH FRONT OF THE BUILDING 92

APPENDIX:-- EXTERIOR VIEW OF MONS. HOREAU'S DESIGN FOR THE BUILDING _facing_ ix INTERIOR OF THE SAME _facing_ ix VIEW OF EXTERIOR FROM ONE END OF MESSRS. TURNERS' DESIGN FOR THE BUILDING _facing_ x TRANSVERSE SECTION AND VIEW OF THE INTERIOR OF THE SAME _facing_ x

INTRODUCTORY REMARKS.

So much has already been said and written, both wisely and well, upon the marvellous edifice which has just been reared with such magical rapidity to enshrine the results of the skill and industry of all nations, that it would appear an almost hopeless task to present the subject in any new point of view to the reader.

If, therefore, the authors cannot lay claim to novelty or originality in the execution of the pleasurable work which they have undertaken, they are not without hopes that, from their having been connected with this gigantic undertaking during the greater part of its progress, they will be enabled to trace in a more detailed and consecutive manner than has yet been attempted the history of the design and execution of the building up to the period of its completion.

A great deal has been lately said upon the want of distinctive character in almost all the buildings of the present day; and it is certainly a striking fact that in scarcely any of our important modern structures does the exterior appearance in any way lead the spectator to form an idea of the purposes or arrangement of the interior, the former being apparently governed by fancy, or the fashion for some particular style, while the latter only, is accommodated to the peculiar requirements of the case. Thus we have porticos which do not shelter from the weather, or in which no one is allowed to walk; Venetian palaces appear piled upon a substructure of plate-glass; baronial castles prove to be model prisons; and richly-decorated mansions, from the time of "Good Queen Bess," or fanciful Italian villas, are made to serve for the accommodation of paupers.

The ancients appear to have been more careful in this respect, so that the form and external arrangement afforded in most cases a ready key to the purposes of their structures. Their temples, their fora, theatres and amphitheatres, baths, and other public edifices, seem each to have been stamped with their own characteristic features, at the same time without in any way producing a monotonous uniformity among the different examples of the same class of building.

Now, if this criterion of excellence be applied to the remarkable building recently erected in Hyde Park, it will be found that the constructive arrangement of the interior is plainly expressed without, and it must be conceded that it possesses at least those elements of beauty arising from consistency and simplicity which, in combination with its vast size, give it also that of grandeur. That it is faultless it would be needless to assert, or to imagine that, from its example, a new style of architecture will originate; but that it is admirably suited to its purpose, that it is a remarkable specimen of the constructive skill of this country, and that it will certainly form one of the most interesting objects of the Great Exhibition by which it has been called into being, if not the most interesting of all, must, we think, be admitted by all candid observers.

Although the building in its present form was designed, as well as carried out, in a singularly short space of time, this could not have been accomplished but for the great amount of thought and labour which had been previously bestowed upon the subject. In order, therefore, to trace the whole of the progress of the design, it will be necessary briefly to advert to the early labours bestowed upon the project.

On the 5th of January, 1850, the Royal Commission for carrying out this great scheme was gazetted; its first and second meetings, which were respectively held on the 11th and 18th of the same month, were entirely devoted to preliminary arrangements, and determining the mode of conducting its proceedings.

Among the most urgent matters calling for the attention of the Commissioners, the subject of the building early presented itself, as it was of the utmost importance that the longest possible time should be allowed for its erection; and, accordingly, at the third meeting, held on the 24th of January, the following noblemen and gentlemen were appointed to act as a

Committee for all Matters relating to the Building.

His Grace the Duke of BUCCLEUCH, K.G., F.R.S. The Right Hon. the Earl of ELLESMERE, F.S.A. CHARLES BARRY, Esq., R.A., F.R.S. WILLIAM CUBITT, Esq., F.R.S., Pr. of J.C.E. ROBERT STEPHENSON, Esq., M.P., F.R.S. C. R. COCKERELL, Esq., R.A. I. K. BRUNEL, Esq., F.R.S. THOMAS L. DONALDSON, Esq., M.I.B.A.

From which list it will be seen that some of the very highest professional talent in the country was enlisted on behalf of the undertaking.

Labours of the Building Committee.

The first point to be ascertained by this Committee was where to find an eligible site; for although they were not able at that early stage of their labours to determine the exact amount of space that would be required, they appear to have been of opinion that, from the general data before them, about sixteen acres would be necessary--an amount which has been subsequently considerably exceeded, but which was already an enormous area to be covered by one building; and in dealing with it the Committee must have felt that a very heavy amount of responsibility rested upon them, as appears, indeed, from their recommendation to the Royal Commission given below.

After about a month of attentive deliberation, the Committee made a report upon this part of their labours.

With regard to the site, it had appeared to the Committee that--firstly, the north-eastern portion of Hyde Park; secondly, the long space between her Majesty's private road and the Kensington road, in the southern part of Hyde Park; and thirdly, the north-western portion of Regent's Park, were the only available spaces about the metropolis which would afford the necessary accommodation; and it was believed that the order in which they were named represented also their relative eligibility. As regarded the first, the Committee had been informed by the Chief Commissioner of her Majesty's Woods and Forests that considerable objections would arise to its occupation for such a purpose, and that no such objections would be raised to the use of the second; and the Committee, therefore, recommended the adoption of this site, which, amongst other advantages, is remarkable for the facility of access afforded by the existing roads.

As regarded the extent of the building, the Committee were not yet in possession of sufficient data to enable them to determine this accurately, but, from such information as they had before them, they thought that it might be assumed, for the present, that about sixteen acres of covered space would be required.

And finally, as regarded the mode of proceeding to determine the general interior arrangements or ground-plan of the building, a subject to which they had given much consideration, they resolved, "That, in their opinion, it was desirable to seek, by public competition, for suggestions as to the general arrangements of the ground-plan of the building."

It was deemed by the Committee that the peculiar object for which the building was required, namely, the encouragement of the widest and most liberal competition in all the branches of arts and manufactures--the circumstance of the cost of the erection being defrayed by the public--the peculiar character of the building, for the designing of which were especially required judgment and contrivance in the detail of arrangement, and experience in the management of large crowds, and for the construction of which the mechanical skill and knowledge of the application and of the economical use of materials now so generally possessed by builders and practical men were necessary--all seemed, in the opinion of the Committee, to be reasons for recommending that the designs for the general arrangements should, as far as practicable, be the result of public competition, and that the actual construction should be so to the fullest extent. The Committee were, moreover, of opinion that the general design or arrangement of such a building was one of those subjects, perhaps few in number, on which many good ideas may be elicited by a general contribution of plans; and that a mode might be adopted of obtaining such plans, and collecting useful suggestions from them, which should not eventually lead to any loss of time, or be attended with those delays which too frequently render ordinary competition inconvenient.

Great objections were made in some quarters to the proposed site in Hyde Park; but as they were not raised on really public grounds, they were gradually overcome by the interest which the public at large manifested in the success of the undertaking.

In consequence of the latter recommendation in the Report which was adopted by the Royal Commissioners, the following document was published by them on March 13th, 1850, copies of which appear to have found their way into almost every corner of Europe:--

"The Committee appointed by the Royal Commission to advise on 'all matters relating to the building,' having received the sanction of the Commission, are desirous of obtaining from all parties who are disposed to assist them suggestions for the general arrangement of the buildings and premises required for this Exhibition. Upon the general form of the building in plan, the distribution of its parts, the mode of access, and the internal arrangements and contrivances, will depend the convenience and general fitness of such a building; and it is upon these points that the Committee seek information and suggestions, and wish to encourage the most extended competition in the preparation of plans. The Committee do not propose to offer any pecuniary reward for such plans--they rely upon the desire which men of all countries will feel to forward the objects of the proposed Exhibition. The Committee think it probable that, when the plans are received, they may not be limited to the selection of any one plan, but may derive useful ideas from many; and that the best plan may be determined upon by the help of this general assistance. As the credit of any such plan will be due solely to the contributors, the Committee propose to make a report, in which they will acknowledge by name those whose plans had been wholly or partially adopted, or who had afforded the most useful suggestions; and the Committee hope to be able to offer such other honorary distinction to the successful contributors as the circumstances may appear to warrant. In order to guide the contributors in the preparation of such plans and designs, and to facilitate the examination and the comparison of them when received, the Committee have enumerated concisely the principal 'desiderata' for such a building, and have laid down certain rules and conditions to which they earnestly request the contributors to conform, as the Committee will be under the necessity of abiding strictly by the regulation of not acknowledging any plans which may be sent in a form inconsistent with these rules. Copies of the engraved plan of the ground referred to may be had on application to the secretaries of the Commission, at the New Palace at Westminster."

An engraved plan of the site which had been fixed upon, together with the subjoined regulations, which all competitors would be expected to observe, were subsequently issued to all applicants:--

"1. The communications from contributors must consist of a single sheet of paper, not larger than the accompanying engraving, with a simple ground-plan upon a scale of 1·1000 of the full size, with such elevations and sections only of the building, and on the same sheet, as may be necessary to elucidate the system proposed--such elevations and sections not being intended to convey more than a general idea of the building, and not entering into details of construction or of architectural decoration--to be accompanied by a short, clear-written explanation of the system recommended, on a separate sheet. Any contributor wishing to send two designs must send separate and distinct communications, each conforming to the above conditions. No communications made inconsistent with these conditions, or any plan prepared upon a different scale from that prescribed, can be received. The plans, &c., must be sent on or before the 8th of April next, addressed to the Secretaries of the Exhibition, New Palace at Westminster, London. It is suggested that the most convenient mode of preparing the plan, elevation, and section, would be to draw them upon one of the engraved copies of the plan of the ground which accompany these instructions.--2. The building is to be erected on the space marked A B C D, and must not extend beyond the boundaries of the shaded portion. The groups of trees shown on the plan must be preserved. The principal public approaches are by the roads E F and G H. The road K L will be available only for foot-passengers. There will be no objection to the formation of cross-roads between the two last, G H and K L, if the design of the building requires it.--3. The roofed portion of the building is to cover a space of 700,000 square feet, or about 65,000 square metres; and the whole building must not occupy, including open spaces, an area of more than 900,000 square feet, or about 84,000 square metres. The building generally will be of one storey only.--4. No space will be required for cattle, or for shrubs or flowers.--5. It may be assumed, so far as it affects the ground-plan, that the light will be obtained entirely from the roof, and the building will be constructed of fire-proof materials.

"The general requirements are--simplicity of arrangement; economy of space; capability of extending or curtailing the building without destroying its symmetry as a whole, or interfering with the general arrangement, it being impossible to determine the exact extent of roof required until a late period of construction. Adaptation for the erection of separate portions of the building at different periods. Conveniences of ingress and egress, with facilities of access to all parts of the Exhibition, either from the exterior or interior. Means of classification of the various objects of different departments. Wall-space for the display of articles requiring it. Means of affording private access and accommodation for exhibitors, with counting-houses, if required. Committee-rooms, council-rooms, public refreshment-rooms, and all other public and private accommodation. (This portion of the building may be in two or more storeys if required.) Internal arrangements, by which, under proper regulations, large crowds of visitors may circulate freely, and have convenient access to all parts of the Exhibition, and uninterrupted means of examining the various objects exhibited."

The Competition Designs.

Though the time allowed for the preparation of drawings was but short, being only about one month, no less than 233 designs were sent in, many of them of an elaborate architectural character. Of these, thirty-eight, or one-sixth of the whole, were received from the different foreign countries of Europe (France, twenty-seven; Belgium, two; Holland, three; Hanover, one; Naples, one; Switzerland, two; Rhine Prussia, one; Hamburgh, one); 138, or more than half the entire number, from London and its vicinity, where the interest excited was naturally more immediate; fifty-one from the provincial towns of England; six from Scotland, and three from Ireland. Seven were sent anonymously. The small number contributed by the sister kingdoms seems rather remarkable.

The greater part of these designs were, of course, contributed by members of the architectural and engineering professions, but some were the productions of amateurs, and one among them purported to be the suggestion of a lady. Here, then, was matter enough not only to assist, but even, from its great variety, to perplex the Committee, since at once every possible variety of style in decoration, material in construction, and system in arrangement, were strenuously recommended by the authors of the respective designs as the great ultimatum sought for.

To Mr. Digby Wyatt, whose services were to a great extent withdrawn from the Executive Committee, in order that his professional knowledge of the subject might be placed at the disposal of the Building Committee, was intrusted the arduous task of examining and classifying these incongruous materials, and of eliminating from them such general principles of arrangement as seemed most worthy of the attentive consideration of the Committee. The result of this gentleman's minute examination was embodied in a Report, upon the basis of the recommendations contained in which the subsequent utilitarian portions of the design of the Building Committee would appear to have been founded.

After holding about fifteen protracted sittings, the Committee presented the following Report to the Royal Commission on the 9th of May:--

"May it please your Royal Highness,

"_My Lords and Gentlemen_,

"We have the honour to report that we have examined the numerous plans so liberally contributed by native and foreign architects in accordance with the public invitation.

"Exhausting in their numerous projects and suggestions almost every conceivable variety of building, the authors of those designs have materially assisted us in arriving at the conclusions which we have now the honour to report.

"We have been aided in our analysis of this subject by a great amount of thought and elaboration thus brought to bear upon it from various points of view.

"We have, however, arrived at the unanimous conclusion, that able and admirable as many of these designs appeared to be, there was yet no single one so accordant with the peculiar objects in view, either in the principle or detail of its arrangements, as to warrant us in recommending it for adoption.

"In some of the least successful of the designs submitted, we find indicated errors and difficulties to be avoided, whilst in the abler and more practicable of them, there are valuable conceptions and suggestions which have greatly assisted us in framing the plan we have now the honour to lay before you. In preparing this design we have been governed mainly by three considerations:--

"1. The provisional nature of the building.