The theatre would scat 230 persons on the floor, and 200 more might be conveniently seated in the gallery. It is probable, however, that for many lectures or continuous courses, this might be to much, but for some it might be too little. 1 have, therefore, placed the library at the back of the theatre, by which, in the latter case, the aceommo might be increased, or in the former it might be suffi cient in itself for such purposes. The result, theref ire, is this, that for an auditory of 40 or 50 persons, the library would be sufficient; bin ond that number, and up to 430 persons, the theatre would be the proper place ; if a larger number were expected. the partition dividing the library from the theatre might he removed. (as is shown in the plan) by sliding it into the wall, when, by removing the lecture. table a little further back. 50 persons more might be accom modated. Beyond this extent of 500 persons, it is probably undesirable to carry it further.
It, however, I have erred altogether, and have provided too much, it is easy to 4111111111A it ; or if it is determined to abandon this site for this purpose, the space so complete and isolated would readily let by itself', or ought he combined with the unappropriated offices in the north-west angle immediately under the theatre. It remains to be added, that I have also provided ample vault-room in the basement of this establishment, and a second staircase connected with the theatre, mid only intended to he used I n a crowded occasion, fltr the dismissal of so large an mu:HUM:0 as 400 or 500 persons, and for a private approach or retreat for the 1 ect u rer.
Royal Exchange Assurance.—This establishment in the old building occupied apartments in the mezzanine. and on the one-pair floor. The net area being 5,._23,5 of passages, staircases, water-closets. kitehen, and rooms in the roof. I have had many meetings with the governor on the subject, and at kngth I received, so late as the 4th instant, a list of the rooms, of which 1 Lave attached a copy to this The total area in this is 6.2.4 feet. but omitting the store rooms and kitchen for the sake of comparison, the net quantity is 5,9-t feet. AI y plan gives this so nearly, and the dimen of the rooms also correspond so generally with the requirements, that I need not oocupy the time of the C0111 mittee with any further description ; but, in addition. ] have added what appears to me obviously necessary, viz., strong rooms and cellars in the basement.
As the heights of the floors of this part of the building differ in some respects the general section, I beg to add them here. and they are as follows, viz.: The ground-floor is • feet 6 inches above the level of the floor of the Exchange, and 6 feet above the street ; under this is a lower ground story, the height being 10 feet with vaults under.
The ground-floor will be 13 feet, high, the mezzanine 10 feet, the one-pair floor is IS where rooms over, when this will be 13 feet.
London Jssura nee.-1 attach a copy of the instructions received from this company to my letter of the 6th March, addressed to Air. Barnes. The total Iluantity of space required is 5,553 feet. exclusive of waiting-rooms, water closets, &e. ; as some of the rooms seemed extravagant in size, I have arranged them somewhat less, and the company express themselves satisfied with my dimensions, the total being 4.834 feet.
Lioyd's.—With regard to this very important establish ment, I beg a reference to my letter to \l r. Barnes, of the 6th instant, to which I attach a copy of the new instruc tions forwarded by their architect. The total quantity of space occupied in the old Exchange by this company, exclu sive of staircases, was 7.911 feet. The space now required is 13,751 feet, exclusive of passages, staircases, water-closets, urinals, &c.; but this includes the commercial room, which is •.050 feet. The dimensions of the several apartments in my plan are very nearly consistent with their requirements, and the total result the sante.
The arrangement of the rooms is best understood by a reference to the plan of the one-pair floor. and I believe it to be quite in accordance with the wishes of the Committee.
Sh that each shop shall have a eellar below, with very few exceptions, a mezzanine over. The average height of the shops will be 14 feet. time basement floor 1'2 feet, and the mezzanine 10 feet. Each shop will lie secured by party-walls, and roofed with iron beams and arches under the one-pair floor. The water-closets will he in the basements, there will be a separate flue in each shop, and room fir the fireplaces ; and I propose that each shop and room shall be warmed by an open, or Arnott's stove, of the same pattern.
The staircase will be circular, and of cast-iron. Staircases of this kind, thonoh not much known here, have been exten sively used in Paris, and are admirably adapted for such purposes. 1 have paid every attention to the mode of light in the leepT slips, and I hope I have succeeded in obvia ting all reasonable apprehension On that subject. The shops without mezzanines, are one in the south front, one iu the north front, and tour iii the eastern entrance to the Exchange. In the area, in the latter ease, they are left out, to of light being obtained over the shops to the back parts of the other premises.