Note 78 — Chapter VI · THE NEW PALACE AT WESTMINSTER.

Before quitting the subject of Mr. Denison’s relations to Sir C. Barry, I think it right to notice an error, contained in a statement made by Mr. Denison to the Courts of Justice Commission. After stating that architects are all ignorant of ventilation, and volunteering some information, that the works of the architect in this direction at the New Palace of Westminster “are reported to have cost 200,000l.,” he continues, “the ceilings of both Houses of Parliament were—one of them is—in such a state, that they may be set on fire at any instant.” No one could fail to draw the inference, that this was an error on the part of the architect. But the fact is, that “the roof of the House of Commons is wholly constructed of incombustible materials, and the question of danger can only apply to the wooden fittings which have been placed in the roof since its completion, by those intrusted with the ventilation and lighting of the House without any architectural supervision.” (See official letter of E. M. Barry, Esq., printed in Parliamentary Paper, No. 527 of Session of 1866.) The fact, rightly understood, tells directly against the advice (to discard architects on this point, and trust all to ventilators proper) which it is made to support.