On considering the interior arrangements of a lunatic asylum, it appeared to him that wards, projected diagonal ly from a central building, would afford every facility, both for the superintendance and classification of the patients. Such a fm m had been little attempted, and never executed with a pleasing effect. The difficulties presented by it, Mr Stark has admirably surmounted. By a just propor tion of the diagonal wards to the central buildings, by rais ing over the latter a circular attic, and mawning the whole with a noble dome, he has given the asylum a character of blended elegance and dignity, which perhaps sets it above all his other designs, and, simple and unadorned as it is, entitles it to a most eminent place among the works of art. So noble indeed is this design, that the managers could scarcely persuade the public, that, on erecting it, an ex travagant sum of money had not been squandered on exter nal decorations. Its effect is now a little injured by the garden walls, having been raised higher than the architect intended, and still more by a recent building, which inter rupts its finest point of view; but wherever it is seen, it must excite feelings of the highest admiration; and even if in course of time all views of it as a whole should be inter cepted by the extension of the town, the dome will always remain one of the greatest ornaments of the city.
The asylum and airing grounds cover about three acres and a half. In the distribution, care has been taken to class the higher and lower ranks of both sexes according to the frantic, ordinary, or COM alc3ccnt state of the disease. The buildings contain 136 apartments for the use of the patients, exclusive of those appropriated for the housekeeper, apo thecary', superintendant, physician, and committee; and the whole range of store-rooms, servants' apartments, kitchens, baths, Ez.c. Each class of patients has separate entries to the subdivided airing grounds, which are laid out in gravel walks, flower-plots, and shrubberies. The eating-rooms, parlours, and bed-rooms, for the higher ranks of patients, are spacious and genteelly furnished : the close rooms for that class are 11 feet 6 inches long, 8 feet wide, and 10 feet 6 inches high ; and for the paupers, 11 feet 6 inches long, 6 feet 6 inches wide, and 10 feet 6 inches high ; each ward having a gallery 70 feet long by 7 feet 6 inches wide, for exercise in bad weather. The several apartments of the asylum are rendered comfortable by the introduction of ra refied air, generated in the sunk story, and communicated by concealed flues.
In 1810, the foundation stone of the Glasgow Observato ',37 was laid on the south side of Garnet hill, situated a lit tle to the north-west of George's Square. The funds for this institution were raised by subscription of 201., trans ferable shares. The building is divided into three com partments: the first contains the instruments for scientific observations ; the second those for popular observations ; the third is fitted up for the accommodation of the subscri bers, where they have the use of astronomical instruments, and treatises connected with the science.
In the Glasgow observatory, there are a great variety of valuable astronomical and meteorological instruments. The most remarkable are, a fourteen and a ten feet telescope by Herschel ; a mural, azimuth, and altitude circle, by Troughton ; a sidereal and mean time clock by Hardy ; and a chronometer by Arnold.
The Lyceum is situated on the east side of South Albi on Street. The saloon is 54 by 33 feet, and the adjoining library 33 by 22 feet, the whole being elegantly fitted up. The saloon is amply supplied with ncwSp.11101 J and periodi cal publications ; and the library is stored with a well chosen collection of books. Strangers are not admitted to the Lyceum, without being introduced by a subscriber.
The riding-school, which was erected by subscription, is situated on the west side of York Street. It contains two circles of 40 feet each, stables, and a gallery for spectators.
The buildings for Anderson's institution are situated on the west side of John Street. The Ashlar front is relieved with mouldings, terminating in a ballustrade and pediment: the roof, being formed into a dome, has a very fine effect. The great hall is of a spherical form, and seated for.500 persons. The library, laboratory, committee, and appara tus apartments, are fitted up with every convenience.
The post office, situated on the east side of South Albi on Street, has an Ashlar front, relieved in the centre, and terminating in a pediment. At one end of the building there is a covered way, and at the other a spacious lobby, for the accommodation of the public. A range of windows are so placed in the lobby, that persons having boxes in the office, can see if they have letters before the delivery com mences.
The Magdalene Asylum for the reception of females, who are desirous to return to the paths of virtue, is situa ted a little to the east of the Lunatic Asylum : It was erect ed in 1812, and is supported by voluntary contribution. The building consists of three stories: the front is divided into three compartments, the end ones terminating in pedi ments. This establishment is completed with every suita ble accommodation, for the matron, the committee, and 34 penitents. The chapel, exclusive of the gallery, contains 150 persons. The managers, being aware that the objects of this institution could not be obtained amid the bustle of active life, have inclosed above an acre of ground by a high wall, within which all the buildings for industry and accom modation are placed. As washing and dressing clothes for families form a prominent part of the economy of this es tablishment, the inclosed ground, which is laid down in grass, is well adapted for bleaching, being supplied with pipes from the water companies.