In the treatment of his design, Mr. Barry has bestowed equal pains on both fronts, that towards the garden being as carefully studied as the one facing Pall Mall ; and it is well worthy not only of observation, but of imitation, that there is more nicety of detail and greater elegance here bestowed on parts sometimes considered of very secondary importance, than is often expended upon a whole design. lf, again, we lift our eyes to the upper extremity of the building, we instantly perceive what attention has been .bestowed on that also; for it is not the cornice alone, but the cornice and roof together which constitute its decoration ; the latter being treated as belonging to the elevation itself, and the former giving richness and majesty to the whole fapde.
The interior of the building is arranged with great ability, both with regard to convenience and picturesque effect, for which latter it is not a little indebted to a small but elegant internal court, of strictly architectural character.
The position of the entrance, which a regard to exact symmetry would have required to be in the centre, has been sometimes objected to, but we are of opinion that the architect exercised a sound judgment in placing it where he has, rather than sacrifice a portion of the interior accommodation.
The following description of this elegant structure, is extracted from an excellent work. " The Public Buildings of London," edited by Mr. W. II. Leeds :--`• The hall, which has a screen of' two columns in antis,—behind which is the porter's desk,—in•ludes the window next to the entrance door. Although small in itself, it dues not by any means look confined, there being a vista from it along the corridor, which is lighted by three windows looking into the court, and to which there is an ascent of four steps through an open arch. The ceiling of both hall and corridor are arched ; that of the fin•uer coffered, of the other panelled. A door to the left, immediately after ascending the steps, leads into the morning-room, (44 feet by 23 feet 9,) which has three win dows towards the street. and a fire-place at each end. From this, a door facing the farthest window. opens into the house dining-room, which is 27 feet by 2S feet 9 inches, and occupies all the space to the east of the court. Beyond the principal staircase, which is seen at the end of the corridor through an open arch, is the coffee-room, occupy ing the whole extent of the garden front. This room is divided by piers and antic into three compartments, in each of which is a fire-place, namely, one at each end, and another facing the windows in the centre division.
" The libraries form a single apartment, divided by double screens of Corinthian columns on a pedestal stylobate in continuation of the dab of the room, leaving a passage through the centre intercolumn six feet clear. Owing to the contraction of the opening, to the depth of the screen, and the duplication of the columns one behind another, the perspective appearance acquires a high degree of pleasing complexity, and the larger or inner library is not so much exposed to view, on first entering from the staircase. Above
entablature is a deep frieze, forming a continued subject in bas-relief. Over the libraries are billiard and smoking rooms, which are lighted from above in the slope of the roof towards the court." The drawing-room and card-room are loftier than the libraries, and have a deep cove with coffers between the ceiling and the top of the cornice. The design of the drawing room ceiling is exceedingly tasteful, combining finished sim plicity with richness in a very striking manner, and all the details exhibit proofs of the most refilled taste and the most careful and elaborate design.
The dimensions of some of the principal apartments are as follows:— We cannot close our notice of this elegant building, with out again expressing our admiration of so great an ornament to our metropolitan architecture. 'lie Travellers' club-house Neill bear the most critical and scrutinizing examination ; and the more closely it is seanned, the more apparent will he its beauty ; nor is it till then that we perceive how carefully every part is elaborated, and yet so subdued to the general effect, that the eye never rests on particular points thrust obtrusively forward, but embraces the perfect ensemble, in a structure replete with chaste and refined simplicity.
Immediately adjoining the Travellers' is another magnificent example of architectural genius—the " Reform Club." The instructions issued to the competing architects, by the spirited members of this association, when seeking a design for their new dwelling, were—to produce a club-house which should surpass all others in size and magnificence; one which should eoni bine all the attractions of other clubs, baths, billiard-rooms, smoking-rooms, with the ordinary features, besides the addi tional novelty of private chambers or dormitories. The manner in which Mr. Barry responded to these instructions, may be seen in the edifice we are about to describe ; an edifice on which public opinion and professional criticism have united to bestow the highest praise ; pronouncing it unsurpassed in grandeur of design, and perfection of taste, by any building in the The distinguishing characteristic of the Reliirm Club, is its grand and imposing appearance; produced, not only by its greater extent and loftiness, but by the circumstance of its being detached from other buildings on three of its sides. These are made to constitute as many flyies, two of which may be beheld together from the same point of view, producing, front their unifimnity in design, a continuous, rich architectural mass ; and tints securing a completeness and fullness of effect which a mere filvade on the sane scale could never give.