GREAT INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION FOR SCOTLAND.

New Zealander, Volume 9, Issue 769, 27 August 1853, Page 3

GREAT INDUSTRIAL EXHIBITION FOR SCOTLAND.

[From the “ Edinburgh Advertiser,” April 20.] The gentlemen who are interesting themselves in tliis national undertaking are proceeding actively to ascertain the public feeling in regard to the expediency and practicability of the proposed Exhibition in 1854, As to its expediency there can be but one opinion, and tire fact that at tire recent Convention of Royal Burghs, the deputies, one and all, gavejtheir approval to the proposal goes far to show that it is by no means such an impracticable matter as many may at first sight be disposed to imagine. All that is wanting to render the success of the scheme complete is, the cordial support of the towns and burghs ; and this, when its contingent advantages are taken into account, will not, we arc persuaded, be difficult to obtain. A fact mentioned at tire Convention by the deputy from Stirling is worthy of notice, as demonstrating the importance of an Exhibition of Scottish arts and manufactures to those interested in their production. Notwithstanding the acknowledged inattention which our native manufactures received at the Great Exhibition of 1851, the deputy from Stirling stated that there had been a great increase in the business of the place, consequent on the additional orders which had been received from parties who saw in the Crystal Palace specimens of the staple manufacture of the town. Facts such as these afford the most convincing answer to parties who may be disposed to question the utility of the present movement. The promoters of the undertaking have had under their consideration various suggestions as to a site, the expense of the building, &c., and we understand that something tangible is likely to result from an offer by one of our most enterprising citizens, who has undertaken, as was stated Ivy Bailie Morrison at the Convention, to erect the building on being guaranteed one-half the cost of erection : the other half, so confident is he of the success of the proiect, if entered into, he is willing to take from the proceeds of the Exhibition. The plan which has as yet received most favour is one that contemplates the occupation of the site of the National Monument on the Calton Hill—the design embracing the twelve magnificent pillars which have so long been pointed to as a reproach on our national character. We have been furnished with the following details relative to the proposed building : —“ The principal portion or mass of the building, externally, will present a perfect restoration of the ancient Parthenon in all its architectural features and proportions. Supporting the east and west porticos, a basement projecting will be extended literally to the length of 160 feet and the north and south colonnades will also h* supported by a similar projection extending Lo 350 in length. The interior of the main building will be formed into a central hall, or nave, of 220 feet in length, and 109 feet wide, which will be surmounted by an inclined roof 84 feet high from the floor to the ridge or apex of the pediment. The ceiling will be divided into panels formed by the trellis ribs, and the light derived from the roof will fall in one unbroken and uniformly distributed mass. The central hall will be surrounded by light but substantial galleries, affording ample space for exhibition purposes. The basement projections will be divided on the north and south sides of the great hall into a central arcade, and corridors with semi-circular roofs. The east and west divisions of the basement space will consist of large compartments for machinery, heavy goods, refreshment-rooms, offices, &c. Around the entire building, within the colonnade, will run external galleries for promenading and viewing the magnificent prospect on all sides. The main entrance will look towards the east, leading to the great hall by a spacious vestibule, &c. The materials will consist of iron, timber, ami glass. The estimated exhibition space afforded by the area of the central hall, galleries, and basement projections, will be about 120,000 square feet. Wall space, 60,000 square feet.” As to the above plan there may lie differences of opinion, but we again express our belief that there can be none as to the desirableness of having a bona fide Scottish Exhibition, and therefore trust that the project, now that it lias got fairly afloat, will not be allowed to sink for want of public support.