ELMES, IIARVE\ LONSDALE, son of the preceding, was born tear Chichester, about the year 1814. He was sent to school at Mortlake in Surrey, and subsequently was taken into the office of his father, who had removed to London; and at the age of twenty-one ho joined Lis father in partnership, and together they designed and auperintended buildings in Park-street and the South Mall, St. James's Park. His independent fame dates from his success in the competition for the building of St. George's Hall, Liverpool ; his design being chosen from the drawings of eighty-six competitors. Ho was then aged twenty-three. The building was at first intended for a musio.hall only, and a foundation-stone was laid on the 28th of Juue 1888, though not quite on the present site. A competition for the Assize Courts alertly succeeded the other ; and in this also Rimes was successful, there being seventy.fivo competitors. It was however decided to erect one grand edifice, acd for this a fresh deafen by Elmes was approved of in 1841, when the work at length commenced. It was carried ou under the architect's direction till the year 1847, when he was obliged to succumb to the encroachments of a fatal malady, and, after a brief sojourn at the Isle of Wight, he (pitted England for Jamaica, with the hope of restoration in a warm climate, but died at Spanish Town on November 20, 1817, in the thirty-third year of his age. He had delegated the superintendence of his great work during his expected absence, to his friend Mr. IL Itawlinison, Mr. Cockerell having agreed to attend to architectural detail Under the first of these gentlemen the hall was arched over, contrary to many predictions which the architect had borne the brunt of—feeling probably that what had been accom plished in the works of the Romans should be allowed to present no insurmountable &Acuity in the present century. The present deco
rative character of the interior, and some of the external accessories, are due to Mr. Cockerell, who also designed the sculpture of the pediment.
To understand the importance of Elmes's great work, it would ho necessary to review the history of architecture, and especi dly the adaptation of Greek models, during the course of some years pre ceding the date of the St. George's Hall design. The proper use of ancient model., had been completely lost sight of, and especially as to Greek architecture. In many parts of the kingdom buildings were erected, supposed to be classical, but which realised neither art nor the lower quality, the very imitation. Thus en idea had begun to prevail that the Greek system was so limited iu its Scope, whilst at variance with modern requirements, as to be in itself the cause of the failure in certaiu ambitious productions. Elmes however repeated the proof how that it is possible to use the works of preceding minds, and yet to realise the grandest new conception. Considered as to tho attributes of art, Elmes's work is more Greek than many modern buildings which may exhibit even accurate reproduction. The design may well be claimed by this country as amongst the noblest efforts of architecture In Europe.
After years spent most worthily in the pursuit of art, Elmes had not realised anything commensurate with the extent and merit of his exertions. Au average of 4501. a year, subject to deductions for travelling, clerks, office and other heavy expenses, was all that one who had the highest gifts, received from that work which forms the chief adornment of a rich provincial town; and after his death a subscription was raised to provide a moderate income fur his wife and child.