File:The architectural history of the University of Cambridge, and of the colleges of Cambridge and Eton (1886) (14592548667).jpg

Identifier: architecturalhis03will_0 (find matches)
Title: The architectural history of the University of Cambridge, and of the colleges of Cambridge and Eton
Year: 1886 (1880s)
Authors: Willis, Robert, 1800-1875 Clark, John Willis, 1833-1910
Subjects: University of Cambridge Eton College
Publisher: Cambridge (Eng.) : The University Press
Contributing Library: Getty Research Institute
Digitizing Sponsor: Getty Research Institute

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; though they admitted that a considerable sum wouldstill be required for the final settlement of the accounts con-nected with the building, exclusive of a further outlay forinstruments. We cannot be surprised that the Senate declined,26 May, 1824, both to grant this sum1, and to prolong theexistence of the Syndicate2. After a long negotiation the out- 1 (The numbers were: Non Placet, 30; Placet, 18.) 2 (The numbers were: Non Placet, 33; Placet, 12.) nr.) HISTORY OF THE OBSERVATORY. 197 standing bills were reduced by a small amount, and before theend of the year the whole matter was finally settled1. From acareful comparison of the different reports and lists of bills itappears that the building, exclusive of the site and the plantingof it, could not have cost less than ,£16,340. 12s. lid., or nearlytwice the amount specified in the contract. It is thereforesatisfactory to find the Plumian Professor, George Biddell Airy,M.A., Trinity College, stating to the Senate, 26 February, 1828,
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Fig. 2. North-west view of the Observatory. that all the Astronomers who have seen it, English and Foreign,agree in declaring it to be better adapted to its purpose than anysimilar building in Europe. The general appearance of the building will be understoodfrom the woodcut (fig. 2). The principal front, to the west, is 1 (The Vice-Chancellor was authorised by Grace of the Senate to pay ^4000,4 June, 1824, and ^3115. o. 2, 8 December, 1824.) 198 HISTORY OF THE OBSERVATORY. (CHAP. about 160 feet long. It is entered through a tetrastyle portico inthe Doric style, copied, according to the architects own state-ment, from the Temple of Minerva at Athens. The buildingis in two floors, and though the general style is Grecian, thesymbol of Osiris is introduced as an ornament along the cornice.The south wing contains the apartments of the Professor, thenorth wing those of his assistant. An adjoining building was erected in 1835, at the expense ofthe Duke of Northumberland, then High Steward, a

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