with the record of the beginnings of things, the real importance of which can only be revealed by the passage of time, to review and record rather than to exhort and admonish. It is far easier, of course, and more entertaining to an editor to fill up his space with his own lucubrations and vague speculations rather than spend his time in digesting and boiling down to a record of proper compass the doings and sayings of other people; but it seems to us that such an annual should be of so definite a character that one would know that in turning to it for information he would find only information of a definite and restricted character, that the third volume would be like the first, and the fourth like the third, so far as the plan of the work is concerned. He ought not, it seems to us, to find it a mere miscellany, and in that no different from a bound volume of any magazine, a miscellany that is a mixture of one kind this year and a hash of dissimilar ingredients next year. It ought not to be merely a magnified exhibition-catalogue of the modern kind - sophomoric essays and an unorganized array of illustrations. We believe that if the editor will work in the direction we suggest he will accomplish something of worth and value, something from which he will derive that sufficient support which alone will enable him to feel sure that the "Architectural Annual can make its appearance in good form year after year. From our point-of-view, the greater part of the text-matter in this publication is out of place. What possible reason can one have for expecting to find in an annual an essay on the "Marquise," or "Bismarck's Birthday Monuments," or "Baron Haussman," or "Commercial Architecture," or biographical sketches of living men, in short?

We regret very much the advent of the architectural Boswell though it is rather a slur on that gossipy sycophant of great men to so name the modern extoller of the deeds of living men, young men too, though very admirable ones, of course, for he at least had the decency to publish his fulsome flattery only after the death of his chosen subject, while these modern architectural biographers seem to possess neither conscience nor modesty, and the worst of it is that they make the reader feel that the chosen subject is equally lacking in these desirable qualities. The familiar adage de mortuis nil nisi bonum stands for proof that it is at least difficult to speak the truth about those whose susceptibilities can no longer be wounded by frank truth-telling. As for the living, an autonym might be invented running somewhat after this form: "De vivendis verum non potest

diceri."

The "Annual" contains two biographical sketches; one, the tender obituary sketch of Arthur Spayd Brooke, brought the moisture to our eyes because of the obvious sincerity and feeling with which it was written; the other a more ambitious treatment of Mr. Wilson Eyre's work, and though it is far from being ill-done, — infinitely better than those strange psychological expositions that Russell Sturgis and Montgomery Schuyler are employed to write about "great American architects," we cannot but regret that the notice was written and published. Of Mr. Eyre the writer says, and we believe it very strict truth that he writes, "His aspiration is not to make a stir in the world, but to do what he does worthily." Why then inflict on him or on other people who have the same genuine aspiration and there are many such such publicity as this? Publish an architect's drawings by all means, singly or collectively, but let the living man himself alone, or, if he is "that kind of a man," let him blow his own trumpet in the daily papers. As for Mr. Eyre's work, we regard it as almost always the product of a feeling, and a feeling is a too complex thing to be analyzed.

THE Quarterly Bulletin of the American Institute of Architects, on the other hand, is very properly conceived and is likely to become a useful publication, supplementing as it does the annual publication of the Convention Proceedings, and may help to keep alive in the organization that feeling of common interest and purpose that, until now, has rather waned and dwindled between one annual gathering and another. As it professes to be a society publication, and as that society is but a small part of the profession, the Bulletin can be of but restricted usefulness, and must, or should, confine itself to the doings and interests of its own society and eschew the attempt to keep track of and record the doings and sayings of the larger architectural world.

If this is to be its task, we think it will strike most observers that, as had been supposed, the Institute with its various Chapters is a very ineffective and inactive organization, else the editor could have discovered more things to record than the single action of the New York Chapter, which seeks to learn from its own members what theories they hold, or what practice they follow, in the employment of expert service.

THE SCOTT CIRCLE STATUES IN WASHINGTON. At Scott Circle, in this city, workmen are now putting up an elaborate granite base for a statue of Dr. Hahnemann, in the midst of a grassy triangle facing the side of the equestrian statue of General Scott. On the corresponding triangle on the other side stands the heroic bronze figure of Webster, recently unveiled. The other day two citizens were passing, when one remarked that it was a pity to give that space to the founder of the homeopathic practice. "It ought to have been reserved for Henry Clay," he added. Ah," responded his companion, "you don't seem to understand the scheme. What they want to do is to typify three great divisions of the Executive Government: the State," pointing to Webster; "the War," pointing to Scott, "and the Interior Departments." - Evening Post.

ILLUSTRATION

[Contributors of drawings are requested to send also plans and a full and adequate description of the buildings, including a statement of cost.]

A COMPETITIVE DESIGN FOR THE LADY CHAPEL OF ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL, NEW YORK, N. Y.: THREE PLATES. MESSRS. CRAM, GOODHUE & FERGUSON, ARCHITECTS, BOSTON, MASS.

I1

T should be borne in mind that the ground at the rear of St. Patrick's Cathedral is at present in part occupied by two nearly symmetrical structures, one the Archbishop's palace, and the corresponding structure, on the northeast corner, occupied by the clergy in residence. These present structures it is the intention to retain for the present, though it is more than supposed they will be removed. Competitors, therefore, could avail themselves only of the middle space between the two buildings, the size and location of which will be found indicated in skeleton on the ground-plan furnished the comif the two buildings were non-existent, but told that they were entitled petitors, who were instructed not only to design the Lady Chapel as to use even the last inch of space between them. It is, therefore, not the least interesting feature of these several designs that they show so many ways of utilizing a very restricted space.

A COMPETITIVE DESIGN FOR THE LADY CHAPEL OF ST. PATRICK'S CATHEDRAL, NEW YORK, N. Y.: THREE PLATES. MESSRS. HEINS & LA FARGE, ARCHITECTS, NEW YORK, N. Y.

IN studying this problem the point most difficult to solve was not so much the design of the chapel itself, as a suitable arrangement for the necessary sacristies and vestries, and a suitable entrance to the chapel.

The only entrance feasible from the floor of the Cathedral to the chapel was through the present vestry in the south aisle of the choir. If this south aisle is to be used as a passageway to the chapel, it would have to be abandoned as a robing-room, for which it is in any event not well suited.

The arrangement shown in the design contemplates utilizing the entire crypt or basement below the chapel as sacristy, robing-rooms, etc., for the choir. The present clergy-sacristy directly behind the high-altar has been retained with slight enlargement. This sacristy should properly be on the same floor-level as the choir, and it would seem desirable at some future time to build an addition beyond the aisles of the choir to provide for this purpose.

The floor of the Lady Chapel is shown raised a few steps above the choir-floor, in order to diminish the descent to the choir-sacristy below.

The architectural character of the design is based upon the FrenchGothic at the full period of its development, just before the flamboyant influences were felt. It is expected that the chapel will not be out of harmony with the existing structure, and yet, by a somewhat more elaborate ornamentation and greater delicacy of detail, it will assume that importance in the whole design to which its function and position properly entitle it.

Only slight changes in the existing east wall will be necessary. The entrance would be placed in the east wall of the south aisle and the existing windows above be shortened in order to allow for the roof over the side-entrances to the chapel. The lower centre-window of the east wall would, of course, open into the chapel, but this window is practically masked by the high-altar, so that the difference would not be perceptible from the body of the Cathedral.

Especial care has been given in so arranging the junction between the old and new work that there should be no objectionable pockets where snow could collect.

CHESTER SEWAGE-SCHEME. - An important Local Government Board Inquiry was held on the 13th inst. by Gen. H. D. Crozier, R. E., into an application of the Chester Town Council for a loan for the purposes of sewage-disposal. The engineer, Major H. Tulloch, C. B., R. E. (past Engineer-in-Chief to the Local Government Board), described the scheme in detail, stating that it was an absolute necessity to pump the sewage. The main sewer would be extended about fifty yards in a straight course, and at the end of that extension the sewage would flow into a sunk well, across the centre of which would be fixed a screen. From the other side of the screen the sewage would be pumped by means of centrifugal pumps into a conduit which would convey it to a long inlet channel to be constructed adjoining the precipitationtanks. From the inlet channel the sewage would be conveyed into circular precipitation tanks, each tank having the capacity of about sixty-eight thousand gallons; and as these would be eight in number, the total capacity of all the tanks might be taken at nearly five hundred and fifty thousand gallons. During storms the tanks would be capable of dealing with nearly five times the dry-weather flow of sewage (1,250,000); that was giving the sewage two hours' rest in the tanks. The clarified water would flow into a long channel, by the side of which would be placed eight roughing filters, having a total area of 888 square yards, whose object was simply to further clarify the sewage before it passed on to the circular aerobic polarite filters, each of which are 50 feet in diameter, and each having a superficial area of 218 square yards, or a total area of nearly three thousand five hundred square yards. Before being passed over the filters the sewage would flow into a small chamber, from which, when filled to the required height, it would be discharged onto the surface of the filter, the size of the chamber being so adjusted that it would hold sufficient sewage to flood the surfacefilter to the depth of from two-and-a-half inches to three inches. The discharges would take place intermittently and automatically. By placing the filters in two tiers it would be quite possible to secure double filtration. In all filters which worked successfully, large quantities of carbonic-acid gas were involved by the destruction of the organic matters contained in the sewage. Dr. Carter Bell had analyzed for him four different samples of the gas at the bottom of the filter, and it was found that it contained about ten times as much carbonic-acid as the atmospheric air. It was evident, therefore, that if they could remove that gas from the bottom of the filter the atmospheric air would rush in from above the surface of the filter to fill the vacuum, and would occupy the innumerable interstices between the grains of the filtering-materials. The aërobic bacteria would, in fact, be better supplied with oxygen, and would perform their functions of destroying the organic matter contained in the sewage in a much more expeditious and satisfactory manner. He proposed to make use of the purified effluent from the upper tier of filters to drive a small turbine and fan, which would draw out the carbonic-acid gas from the bottom of the filters. With reference to the sludge, each precipitation-tank would be fitted at the bottom with a perforated revolving-arm, worked by simple gearing on the surface, so that all the sediment on the floor of the tank could be drawn off at will, through a pipe brought up to nearly the top of the tank, and could be discharged wherever it might be desired to deliver it on the land. The liquid from the sludge would flow back by gravitation to the pump-well, to be pumped and treated again. He was satisfied that by the proposed works a very high standard of purification would be attained. Mr. Hibbert, Alderman of Chorley Town Council and a member of the Ribble Joint Committee, described the working of a similar system of polarite filters at Chorley. The scheme for Chester was an improvement on the one for Chorley, and he would not hesitate to say that, if it was properly managed, it would be almost possible to produce drinking-water. Reginald Arthur Tatton, C. E., chief inspector of the Mersey and Irwell Joint Committee, gave it as his opinion that the system put forward produced good results. The scheme was also supported by the city engineer. — Engineering.

THE WATER-SUPPLY OF ANCIENT ROME. - Sextus Julius Frontinus, water-commissioner of the city of Rome some eighteen hundred and twenty-four years ago, tells in his history of the water-supply of that city that there were in his day nine aqueducts which supplied it with water. These were built at different elevations, ranging from thirtyfive to one hundred and fifty-eight feet above the Tiber. Their aggregate length was about two hundred miles. On gauging their flow, he found that they received daily from their several sources of supply about one hundred and fifty million gallons. The water-registrar's books, however, accounted for a delivery of only 76,500,000 gallons a day. On looking up the list of water-consumers, he discovered that the actual visible consumption was 84,000,000 gallons daily, of which only 54,000,000 gallons were used in the city, leaving 30,000,000 to be accounted for. This was set down as being lost by leakage from defective structures, or stolen by farmers who lived along the line, or by surreptitious consumers in the city. Much water was also lost from leaks in the distribution-pipes, the existence of which (says Frontinus) it is possible to infer from the fact that in many of the city's wards you meet with water of fine quality which has leaked from the conduits. Whereupon he checked waste by repairing the aqueducts, cutting off unauthorized taps, causing the senate to pass more rigid laws as to stealing the water, and enforcing the laws in a rational way. - Fire and Water.

A CAPITOL FULL OF CENTIPEDES.-The magnificent granite State Capitol building here has become infested with centipedes of great size. These poisonous insects are to be found in every department of the State building. A few days ago one was seen in the Governor's private office, and after a lively chase it was killed. It measured 74 inches long, and is the largest centipede ever seen in this part of Texas. Sheriff George Womack, of Cooke County, came across one of the insects in the corridor of the second floor of the building recently. It was captured alive and placed on exhibition in a local drug-store. It was over six inches long. A few days before that clerks in the State Treasury Department were counting money in the great steel vault when a gigantic centipede ran out from under a package of banknotes. It was cornered and captured alive, and now inhabits a bottle on the counter of the cashier of the department. Austin (Tex) Correspondence, Chicago Record.

EXPANSION OF METAL UNDER COLD. - One of the most familiar laws of nature is that which dictates an increase of volume with a rise of temperature, and shrinkage with cold. There are exceptions to the rule, however, and these may be more numerous than have been suspected. Water, for instance, shrinks as it cools, until it reaches the temperature of 39 degrees Fahr. It then begins to expand. Ice is lighter than the water in which it floats, partly on this account and partly owing to air-bubbles. The statement is now made that iron and steel exhibit the same reversal of the law that water does. An English engineer who has wintered in Siberia writes to the Engineering Times that during the intense cold of January and February he has seen rails on the railway jammed together by an expansion such as he had been accustomed to suppose was the result of heat alone. According to this authority, a temperature ranging from 12 to 40 degrees below zero Fahr. would not appreciably affect the length of rails, but severer cold than that would be attended with expansion. The man who sends this statement to the Engineering Times declares that others beside himself are familiar with the facts. The Russian engineers have observed the phenomenon, he says, but hesitate to report it to St. Petersburg because of the apparent conflict with accepted ideas. There are regions in Minnesota, North Dakota, Montana and Manitoba where the temperature often falls 40 degrees below zero during a winter of average severity, and sometimes goes 10 or 15 degrees lower. And there are railroads up there, too. Even though the cold is not so intense as that of Siberia, it would seem as if the phenomenon just mentioned should be perceptible there. Perhaps it has developed, but has been overlooked. Now that attention has been directed to the matter, however, the truth or falsity of the story about Siberia can probably be determined in America.

THE UNITED STATES CAPITOL.- Probably Uncle Sam will be lucky if he gets off with a disbursement of $3,000,000 for the new porticos and "aprons." According to the statement of Architect Clark, the items of expenditure to date are as follows:

east.

When the Congress at Philadelphia instructed Washington and three commissioners to see to the erection of a suitable public building for a legislative hall at the national capital, an advertisement for designs was published, specifying that the structure was to be of brick, with a conference-room and a room for the Representatives, each to accommodate three hundred persons, with a lobby; a Senate room of 1,200 square feet of area, a lobby and twelve small rooms for committees and clerks. A prize of $500 and a building-lot were offered for the best plan; and the winner was William Thornton, of Philadelphia. He was not an architect, and so his idea was turned over to Stephen Hallette, of the same city, who was appointed architect. The work of construction was begun in 1795, and history relates that Andrew Ellicott got $5 a day and expenses for marking out the foundations, by the aid of astronomical instruments, so that the building would face exactly to the In 1800 the rooms now occupied by the Supreme Court and the law library were fitted up for the use of the Senate and House of Representatives. By 1811 the building of the dome was ready to be begun when work was stopped by the war with Great Britain. At that time the Capitol consisted of two detached fragments standing far apart, a long wooden shed providing a covered alleyway from one to the other. This space was to be occupied by the dome. Finding the structure thus incomplete, the British thought they would wipe it out entirely, and so piled a quantity of wood inside of it and applied the torch. The damage done was not very great, fortunately, and restoration was easily accomplished. The freestone pillars in the Chamber of the House, now Statuary Hall, were much injured, and were replaced with the pillars which now stand there, composed of a curious conglomerate marble from Maryland. The cost of rebuilding the portion destroyed by the British was $700,000. By 1827 the structure was completed, with its rotunda and original dome, and there was no further change of importance until forty-nine years ago, when it became apparent that more room was necessary, and the two great wings were proposed. This alteration was promptly begun, and in 1855 the old dome was removed, work on the new one being carried on throughout the four years of the Civil War. In 1861 the wings were completed, and two years later the figure of Freedom was placed in position on the top of the dome. The original dome was squatty, in shape like an inverted bowl, and entirely lacking the grandeur of the present one. Iron is the material of the new dome, which is considered one of the most beautiful in the world. The latest addition to the Capitol was the great marble terrace, finished in 1891. — René Bache in the Boston Transcript.

CALIFORNIA

Telephone Boston 1911.

BUILDING INTELLIGENCE.

BUILDING INTELLIGENCE.

(Advance Rumors Continued.)

the contract for erecting the new $25,000 bank and office building for the Lynchburg National Bank. Maryville, Mo.-The local Odd Fellows, Knights of Pythias and Masonic lodges will build an operahouse and lodge building, to cost about $25,000. Memphis, Tenn.-It is reported that the Christian Scientists have purchased a site for the erection of a $35,000 church. Mrs. Francis J. King, reader.

Hoboken, N. J.-A site has been purchased for the new school at a cost of $19,400. Indianapolls, Ind. - The Fellowship congregation will erect an $18,000 church at Alabama and 22d Sts. Rev. Mr. Helming, pastor.

Jackson, Miss.-Report states that a $50,000 operahouse will be erected.

Kansas City, Mo.-F. G. Bonfils, Denver, Col., will erect a three-story, 48' x 120, brick building at the corner of 8th St. and Grand Ave., after plans by Geo. Matthews; cost, about $60,000. Lake Geneva, Wis.-The School Board voted to erect new buildings to cost $18,000. Lawrenceville, Pa.- Plans have been prepared for a $50,000 two-story gymnasium building for the Lawrenceville Preparatory School. Lewiston, Idaho.-The Sisters of St. Joseph will build a $10,000 or $15,000 hospital here. Plans have not yet been prepared.

Lincoln, Neb.-The City Library Board has accepted plans submitted by Fisher & Lawrie, of Omaha, for the Carnegie Public Library Building. Construction will begin as soon as working plans can be prepared; cost, $68,000. Los Angeles, Cal.-The Pacific Art Manufacturing Co., recently organized, will erect a $350,000 plant for the manufacture of tiles. Charles Ernest, architect. G. J. Griffith, president.

Louisville, Ky.-Architect J. B. Hutchings, Columbus Building, has prepared plans for a $12,000 addition, 45' x 85, to the Columbia Trust Co.'s building.

Armour & Co., of Chicago, Ill., have plans for a $250,000 packing plant to be erected in this city if a suitable site can be secured. If the plant is established here it will be later enlarged by the addition of other buildings, which will bring the total outlay to $1,000,000.

Lowell, Mass.-The Massachusetts Corporation is preparing to build one of the largest storehouses in New England on Bridge St., on the site now occupied by corporation tenements which are to be torn down.

The High St. Congregational Society contemplates disposing of its present church property and building a new edifice at the corner of Nesmith and Wyman Sts. The John St. Congregational Society is also interested In the move and a union church may be built.

Lynchburg, Va.- Wilson & Seay were awarded

ing for Concordia College has been let to C. Schoknecht, 1212 Second St.; estimated cost, $40,000. Gimbel Bros. will erect a $200,000 building of steel construction.

Otto and Adolph Pietsch, of the Pietsch Dye Works, have taken out a permit for the erection of a four-st'y brick building on W. Water St., near Wells, to cost $25,000. It will be 40' x 100', to be used for store purposes and dye works.

The Norwegian Evangelical Lutheran Independent congregation will erect a brick veneered church, 38' x 60', at Madison St. and 12th Ave.; cost, $8,000.

Monessen, Pa.- Adolph Boes, 5th Ave., will erect a four-story brick hotel essting about $21,000. Muscatine, Ia.-The citizens have voted to accept a gift of a $30,000 library building from P. M. Musser. Contracts have not yet been let.

New Haven, Conn.- President Arthur T. Hadley of Yale states that several contracts for new buildings will be awarded at the next meeting of the Yale University corporation in October. New York, N. Y.-The Committee on Buildings, Board of Education, has awarded contracts as follows: For erecting school 178, Boro. of Bronx, to H. M. Weed & Co., 2585 Broadway, at $118,895; and for erecting schools 134 and 131, Boro. of Brooklyn, to John 1 hatcher & Son, 54 Park Ave., Brooklyn, at $127,300 and $132,500, respectively.

The Sinking Fund Commission will issue bonds to the amount of $200,000 for an armory for the First Battery, and $60,000 bonds for an armory for the Second Naval Battalion.

Norristown, Pa.-H. M. Simpson has been awarded the contract for the new $25,000 stone church for the Central Presbyterian Society. North Tonawanda, N. Y.-Local press reports state that Wm. Allen has received the contract for the erection of a school, including heating, for $74,724.

Oakville, Conn.-A four-story brick factory building, 50 x 125', is to be built by the American Pin Co., of Waterbury.

Ogontz Park, Pa.- Lawrence V. Boyd, Harrison Building, Philadelphia, is preparing plans for two $15,000 houses for W. T. B. Roberts.

Omaha, Neb. - Chas. Cleaves has prepared plans for P. E. Slee for a $60,000 building to be erected at 11th and Howard Sts.

Pascoag, R. I.-A $12,000 three-story brick library will be erected here, which will be known as the Jesse M. Smith Memorial Library. Albert S. Greene, Charles L. Steere et al., trustees.

BUILDING INTELLIGENCE.

(Advance Rumors Continued.) Philadelphia, Pa.-The contract for the erection of a fire-house at Park Ave. and Cambria St., has been awarded to Geo. W. Pierson, for $29,795. Architect W. W. Slack is working on preliminary plans for a $15,000 stone church for the English Lutheran congregation of this city.

Architects Perot & Bissell, Bourse Building, are preparing the plans for a new stone and granite parish building for the Church of the Messiah, of this city. It will be two and a half stories high and measure 40 x 80 feet. Estimates will be requested next week.

It is stated that a handsome and commodious theatre will be erected on the site of the old Baldwin Mansion, 1112-1120 Chestnut St., to be leased by B. F. Keith. According to present plans the theatre will run north from Sansom St., a distance of about 125 feet. There will be an entrance to the playhouse 40 feet wide, leading from Chestnut St., and two stores on either side.

Drawings and detailed specifications by Architects Newman, Woodman & Harris, Real Estate Trust Building, for the new armory, at 23d and Chestnut Sts., have been completed. Bids to be in August 25.