IMPORTANCE OF ARCHITECTS.

Manawatu Times, Volume II, Issue 42, 14 March 1877, Page 3

IMPORTANCE OF ARCHITECTS.

There is a story on record of an architect repudiating any connection with the building fraternity, m the case of the late eminent Mr Alexander, architect of Rochester Bridge and other fine buildings m Kent. He was under cross-ex-amination m a special-jury cause at Maidstone, by Sergeant — afterwards Baron — Garrow, who wished to detract from the weight of his testimony, and after asking him what was his name proceeded : — " You are a builder, I believe P" " No, sir, lam not a builder. lam an architect." "They are much the same I suppose ?" " I beg your pardon, sir, I cannot admit that ; I consider them to be totally different." " Oh, indeed ! Perhaps you will state wherein this great difference consists." " An architect, sir, prepares the plans, conceives the design, draws out the specifications — m short, supplies the mind ; the builder is merely the bricklayer or the carpenter. The builder, m fact, is the machine ; the architect the power that puts the machine together, and sets it going." " Oh, very well, Mr Architect, that will do ! And now, after your very ingenious distinction without a difference, perhaps you can inform the Court who was the architect of the Tower of Babel?" The reply, for promptness and wit, is not to be rivalled m the whole history of rejoinder : " There was no architect, sir — and hence the confusion."