Note 118 — CURRICULUM FOR THE STUDY OF ARCHITECTURE.

I subjoin it, as his last architectural opinion delivered:—

“Protest of the undersigned, a member of the Committee for carrying into effect certain internal alterations and decorations of St. Paul’s Cathedral, in respect of a proposed second organ, and a new screen to the choir, upon the following grounds:—

“1. Because upon æsthetical as well as practical grounds, it is undesirable to have an organ of large dimensions in the south transept.

“2. Because if a second organ be required, it might be erected, not only without any disfigurement of the cathedral, but with advantage to its effect, in a capacious gallery over the western entrance to the nave, where it is considered that an instrument and a choir of sufficient power might be accommodated, and heard with striking effect throughout the cathedral.

“3. Because, owing to the great size of the proposed organ and gallery, &c., it would have the effect of a gigantic piece of furniture out of scale with the building, and tend to destroy the simplicity, harmony, capacity, and grandeur of the interior of the cathedral.

“4. Because, as it is proposed to make use of the marble columns of the old screen to the choir to support the gallery for the proposed organ, the opportunity will be lost of employing those columns (in connexion with certain beautiful iron work, in and about the choir, and no longer required in its present situation), with striking effect and great economy, in the formation of the proposed new screen to the choir of the peculiar character required.

“And lastly. Because if a second organ must be placed in the south transept, the sub-committee have not had sufficient opportunity of duly considering the design of the proposed organ-case, gallery, &c.

“8th May, 1860.

“Charles Barry.”