Public Offices

**

Public Offices.**

General Post-Office. - France may, perhaps, be considered as being the first nation that established a regular and systematic mode of transferring letters; and England, of course, quickly adopted so obviously important an advantage. Edward VI. prescribed a certain rate per mile, to be charged for post horses, viz. one penny; and a post was established between London and Edinburgh; and between Chester and Dublin, by way of Holyhead. Cromwell also extended this establishment, and with the aid of parliament took the management into the hands of government: at this time packets sailed between Dublin and Parkgate or Chester, and between Milford and Waterford.

The first director of the Post-office, appointed by government, was John Manley, who was obliged to make uniform charges for the conveyance of letters, at the rate of twopence for 80 miles. A Postmaster General for the British dominions, was appointed in 1711, and a separate establishment opened in Ireland, under the direction of two Postmasters Gencral, in 1784. From this date, the facility of communication through the kingdom has rapidly increased, and the number of post towns in Ireland, at which this office advertises to deliver letters, amounts to above 400.

The Penny-Post-office was opened in 1770, and is conducted in an expeditious manner, there being four collections and four deliveries of letters through the city every day, Sunday excepted; and in the neighbourhood of Dublin there are two collections and deliveries daily; but all letters delivered beyond the circular road pay twopence postage.

The next feature of importance is the establishment of mail-coaches, a measure fraught with much advantage to the general interests of Ireland. Parts of this kingdom, hitherto unknown, are now in a state of civilization, owing to the intercourse they enjoy with more cultivated society. Mail-coaches were first established in England in 1784, in Ireland in 1790. Mr. Anderson, of Fermoy, first contracted to run a coach, carrying the mail-bags betwren Dublin and Cork, and Mr. Grier, between Dublin and Newry.

The Road Act was shortly after passed, which has opened every part of Ireland to the traveller, with convenience and safety; and a chain of communication is now kept up throughout the kingdom, by means of a very ingenious management or the coaches, for wherever the direct mail from Dublin to any town stops, a light coach is in waiting to proceed by cross roads. Coaches leave the General Post-office every evening at eight o’clock precisely.

The English mail is despatched every morning at seven o’clock, in a mail cart, to Howth-harbour, whence it is conveyed by government steam-packets, of great power, to Holyhead. All letters for Scotland and the north of England are sent by way of Donaghadee and Port Patrick, and to the South, by way of Waterford and Milford Haven.

The General Post-office was at first held in a small building on the site of the Commercial Buildings, and was afterwards removed to a larger house, opposite the Bank on College-green (since converted into the Royal Arcade): and on January 6th, 1818, the new Post-office in Sackville-street was opened for business.

The foundation-stone of this magnifcent edifice, which is built after a design of Francis Johnston, Esq., was laid by his Excellency Charles, Earl Whitworth, August 12, 1814, and the structure was completed in the short space of three years, for the moderate sum of 50,000l. The site on which the new Post-office is erected, was previously occupied by a range of houses corresponding with those in the same street, near Carlisle-bridge, and used for some time as a temporary barrack: but they were so badly built, and so shaken by their numerous inmates, that while occupied by the military, they fell down, the soldiers and their families having scarcely time to escape.

The front, which extends 220 feet, has a magnificent portico (80 feet wide) of six fluted Ionic columns, 4 feet 6 inches in diameter The frieze of the entablature is highly enriched, and in the tympanum of the pediment are the royal arms. On the acroteria of the pediment are three statues, by John Smyth, viz. Mercury, on the right, with his Caduceus and purse; on the left, Fidelity, with her finger on her lips, and a key in her hand; and in the centre, Hibernia resting on her spear and holding her shield. The entablature, with the exception of the architrave, is continued, along the rest of the front; the frieze, however, is not decorated as it is over the portico. A handsome balustrade

Surmounts the cornice of the building, which is 50 feet from the ground. With the exception of the portico, which is of Portland stone, the whole is of mountain-granite. The elevation has three stories, of which the lower, or basement is rusticated, and in this respect it resembles the India house in London, where a rusticated basement is introduced, although the portico occupies the entire height of the structure.

Over the centre of the building is seen a cupola, containing the chimes and bell on which the clock-hammer strikes. This bell is so loud, that it is heard in every part of the city.

The interior is particularly remarkable for the convenience of its arrangement and the number of its communicating apartments. The Board-room is a very handsome apartment, furnished with the two seats, which are for the Postmasters General: over the chimney-piece, protected by a curtain of green silk, is a bust of Earl Whitworth, in a white marble, by John Smyth. **

Stamp-Office**. – The business of this office was formerly transacted in a range of old brick buildings in Estace-stret, on the north side of Dame-street; but it was removed, May 3rd, 1811, to William-street. An office for the manufacture and distribution of stamps was first established in this kingdom during the government of Earl Harcourt, in 1774, and even then was productive of a considerable revenue, which, from the augmentation of stamp duties, has since increased to more than ten times its early amount. The gross produce of stamp-duties for the years 1812, 13, and 14, exceeded 700,000l.

1815 it amounted to £747,586 8 5¼

1816 it amounted to £591,265 8 11

1817 it amounted to £596,709 16 8

1818 it amounted to £610,396 15 7½

1819 it amounted to £602,535 12 7½

1820 it amounted to £557,403 1 10

1821 to June 5th it amounted to £485,429 8 8

The accounts furnished before 1818 were all in Irish currency, but from that date they have been returned in British, and are to continue so in future.

The present Stamp-office was the private residence of the Viscounts Powerscourt; it was commenced in the year 1771, and completed in three years, for the moderate sum of 10,000l; it is after a design of Mr. Robert Mack, architect. The Commissioners of Stamp-duties purchased it for 15,000l.

The west front*, *which is toward William-street, is of mountain-granite, from his lordship’s estate in the county of Wicklow; the ornaments and dressings being of Portland-stone. This facade consists of a basement, principal floor, and mezzanine. The first of these, which has circular-headed windows, is rusticated, and has a Doric entablature, continued also over the gateways on the sides, in lieu of wings. The ascent to the grand entrance is by a broad flight of steps, with a stone balustrade ; and the door has Doric pilasters and an entablature. The windows of the first floor, three on each side of the centre, rest on rich pedestals, and have pediments, of which the middle one of the three is semi-circular.

Above the slight projection or break, forming the central division of this elevation, is a pediment with a circular window in its tympanum, and over this is a singular species of attic, enriched with carved scrolls instead of pilasters. From this part of the structure, which was originally intended as an observatory, may be obtained as extensive a view as the smoke of the city will permit. This fine edifice cannot at present be seen to advantage, being in the narrowest part of a narrow street (William-street), immediately opposite Castle-market.

The hall and staircase are decorated with rich heavy stucco-work, not suited to the taste of the present day; and the stairs and balusters are of mahogany.

In the drawing-room of this splendid mansion are two slabs of the lava of Vesuvius, richly mounted as pier tables; and in this room were a few paintings of the old masters, which are now at his lordship’s magnificent residence in the county of Wicklow.

The gateways on each side of the house have been convened into entrances to the different offices of the establishment: these are principally held in a square of buildings erected at the rear of the house for this purpose, which improvements cost the commissioners 15,000l. **

Ballast-Office**.-This useful establishment holds its meeting in a handsome house, built for the purpose, in Westmorland-street, near Carlisle-bridge.

The society was incorporated in 1707, under the title of “The Corporation for Preserving and Improving the Port of Dublin,” and was placed under the superintendence of the Lord Mayor, Sheriffs, and some of the citizens. At this period great improvements were made in the entrance of the harbour, which was extremely dangerous, owing to two sand-banks, called the North and South Bulls, which completely choked it up; a channel of some breadth was cleared, and a floating light established, where the Dublin light-house has since been erected.

About 1714, the river was embanked on both sides, a quay wall built, and a large quantity of marshy ground reclaimed; and about 1748, that extensive work, the Mole, which connects Ringsend and the Pigeon-house, was commenced, and the expense defrayed by a tonnage on shipping. Shortly after, this corporation was intrusted with fuller powers, both as to the nature of the improvements they were’ to undertake, and as to the election of new members to fill vacancies at their board. Their next great work was the building of the Mole (This wall measures 9,816 feet from the Pigeon-house to the Light-house) and Light-house in Dublin Bay; but the grand, conclusion of their labours was the enclosing of the Liffey within the present magnificent quay walls, which extend from Ringsend to Blooy-bridge, a distance of three English miles; which has not only deepened the channel, but greatly benefitted and improved the city. Dublin was well supplied with bridges before the incorporation of this body, but two of them were in a dilapidated condition, and one, called the Coal-Quay (or Ormond) bridge, was swept away by the floods. The Ballast Office have supplied their places by Richmond and Whitworth bridges.

Since the institution of this body, the coast of Ireland has been rendered more safe to the mariner by the erection of light-houses in various places. The most extraordinary in point of situation, and which was attended with many melancholy disasters during its building, is that on the Tuskard Rock on the coast of Wexford. The light-house erected on the Bailey at Howth is probably one of the best-situated oh the coast, and lighted on very improved principles, the reflectors being ground to the parabolic form, and an oil lamp placed in the focus of each.

The funds of this Board are derived from the sale of ballast to the shipping, which they raise from the channel of the river, and from a tonnage on vessels arriving in port. The expense of building the quay walls was defrayed by a tax, which has now ceased to be demanded. The Directors of this Board do not receive salaries, and perhaps no establishment in the kingdom has given greater satisfaction, or been of more real benefit. **

Paying Board**. - This board consists of a chief Commissioner and two others, with two supervisors, a treasurer and secretary, the amount of whose salaries is 2,300l. per annum. The objects of this board are of course most important, paving, lighting, and cleaning the streets, making sewers, and, in summer, watering the public ways. There are few cities in better condition as to pavement, and none so well supplied with broad and even flag-ways.

Many great improvements have been made by this body; there were formerly in almost every street one or two fountains which, though a great ornament, were a greater nuisance, and the cause of many sad accidents, as they were* *always crowded by the idle, and the pavement around was so wet and slippery, that horses, particularly in harness, have frequently fallen in attempting to pass, and in winter these place became a perfect sheet of ice. All these nuisances have been removed, at a trifling loss to the city, in point of picturesque appearance. The lighting of the city, however, is not so creditable; but the introduction of gas-light will remedy this evil.

This Board formerly held its meetings in a large brick house at the corner of Dawson-street, the site of Morrison’s hotel, from whence it removed to its present situation in Mary-street. This house was formerly the residence of the ancient and respectable family of the Rowleys, from whom it was purchased for a temporary barrack; and at the conclusion of the war, transfred to the Paving-board, who have fitted it up conveniently, and erected stabling at the rear for their horses, and sheds for the watering-carts. The bricks of which this house is built were made in the county of Meath, and are of a very peculiar colour and excellent quality. **

Wide-Street Commissioners**. - The commissioners for “opening wide and convenient streets” were appointed in 1758, when the first improvement they made was, to open a passage from the Castle to Essex bridge; after which, they were directed to improve the city generally, by opening wide avenues. Their funds for the purchase of houses are derived partly from parliament, from a tonnage on coals imported to Dublin, and from a card tax levied from the citizens.

The next improvement was the opening of Dame-street, so as to form a proper avenue from the seat of government to the Parliament-house. Westmorland-street, Sackville-street (formerly Drogheda-street), and Cavendish-row, and the passages along the river on both sides, are lasting monuments of the labours of this useful body.

The last improvement was the opening of D’Olier and New Brunswick streets and from the end of York-street in Aungier-street, a passage will be continued to St. Patrick’s Cathedral, forming one direct and splendid communication between Stephen’s Green and that venerable edifice. The improvements in the vicinity of the other cathedral are going on with rapidity. Numerous other avenues have been opened, which is would be impossible to enumerate here; but the best argument in favour of the proceedings of this board, is the magnificence of the avenues and streets of Dublin.

The improvements lately made in the vicinity of St. Patrick’s Cathedral have been spoken of under that article [p, 50].

The Board meet at the Secretary’s House in Blessington-street, where their proceedings may be seen, contained in 24 folio volumes of manuscript, numerically arranged. **

The Pipe-Water Committee** - instituted for the purpose of supplying the city with water, is composed of members of the corporation solely; viz. The Lord Mayor and Sheriffs, 12 Aldermen, and 24 of the Common Council. They have the power of levying taxes for the supply of pipes, and paving the street after they are laid, and holding a meeting every Monday at the city Assembly-room in William-street, at the corner of Coppinger’s row.

There are three basins attached to Dublin for the supply of fresh water, one at the end of Basin-Jane in James’s-street, which is an English mile in circumference, and round which is a broad gravel-walk, formerly one of the most fashionable promenades in the vicinity of Dublin.

A second basin is situated on the high ground at the upper end of Blessington-street, also encompassed by a terrace, and enclosed by a strong close hedge, for the supply of the north side of the city; and the third is on the banks of the canal, near Porto-bello harbour, to feed the pipes in the south-eastern part of Dublin

The water was formerly conveyed by wooden pipes from these basins through all the streets, and a leaden pipe, inserted in the main, supplied each house. It being found, however, that the wooden pipes were subject to very speedy decay, and consequently superinduced enormous expence, metal pipes were adopted in 1802, and have been continued ever since. A new tax was imposed on the citizens, for the accomplishing of this object, called the “Metal Main Tax,” which they have not borne with much good feeling and it will, in all probability be shortly removed. **

The Custom House**. - The old Custom House stood Essex-bridge between Essex-street and the river, and was built in the year 1707. It must have been inconvenient for business; besides which, the navigation of the river could not be improved, owing to a bed of rocks which extended across the river, opposite to the building.

These circumstances induced the Commissioners to erect a new and capacious Custom House nearer to the mouth of the river: accordingly they chose the present site on the north bank, on Eden Quay; and since this quay has been opened and its walls completed, there is, perhaps, no city in Europe that affords a *coup d’oeil *more magnificent than the panoramic view from Carlisle-bridge. From this point the spectator beholds Sackville-street with the Post-office and its beautiful portico,. Nelson’s Pillar, and the Rotunda; in the distance - the south front of the Custom House with the quay walls and ship-ping - Westmorland-street with the portico of the old Rouse of Lords, and the north pavilion of Trinity College - and D’Olier-street, with the Dublin library, handsome stone building, terminated by a view of the front of the new-square of Trinity College. In consequence of the violent opposition of Lord Shannon, to the passing of the Bill through the Irish House, not only was the building of the new Custom House delayed, but the first stone was laid, almost in secret, by the Right Hon. John Beresford.

This edifice, the second building in Dublin in point of extreme elegance of workmanship, is an extensive pile, and if we except, perhaps, its proximity to the water’s edge, admirably situated; yet, although its contiguity to the river is a defect, as far as beauty is concerned, it is convenient for the despatch of business.

There are four fronts, accurately corresponding to the four cardinal points. The south or principal front, which is entirely of Portland-stone, extends 375 feet, and the depth of the building from north to south is 209. The central part which is 130 feet in breadth, is continued from the north to the south front, and forms the partition between two specious court-yards, which were indispensable in affording light to the apartments in the interior or central part of the building.

In the centre of this front is a portico of four Doric columns supporting an entablature, with a fine projecting mutale cornice, and a frieze enriched with the heads of oxen connected by festoons. The tympanum of the pediment is decorated with a group of figures in alto relievo, Britannia attended by Strength, Justice, Naval power and Victory, Hibernia and Britannia embracing each other, and holding the emblems of peace and liberty. These figures are seated in a marine chariot, or shell, drawn by sea-horses, and attended by a crowd of Tritons, after whom appears a fleet of merchant ships, bearing the produce of various nations to the shores of Ireland, and wafted by the trade winds: the whole was designed and executed by Mr. Edward Smyth.

[This excellent sculptor was born in the county of Meath, 1746. He was intended by his father for the army, in which he himself held the rank of Captain; but having a decided predilection for modelling, was placed under Verpoyle. His first public work was the admirable statue of Dr. Lucas, in the Exchange. Besides the sculpture at the Custom House, he executed the figures at the Bank of Ireland, Four Courts, King’s Inns, and the beautiful heads in black stone on the new Castle-Chapel. These, however, he did not live to finish, but they have since been completed by his son from his models. He died in 1812. He was likewise the sculptor of a beautiful monument in St. Anne’s Church. See art.]

The attic story, which is the height of the pediment, supports four allegorical statues, of Industry, Commerce, Wealth , and Navigation, executed by Thomas Banks, Esq. R.A. of London. Above the portico is a magnificent cupola, resembling those at Greenwich Hospital, its dome is 26 feet in diameter, and is supported by 40 columns. On the apex of the dome is a circular pedestal, upon which is placed a colossal statue of Hope 12 feet high. The entire elevation to the summit of this figure is 125 feet. On the key stones of the arches over the different door-ways, 16 in number, are colossal heads, emblematic of the different rivers of Ireland, distinguished by means of the produce of their banks; the Anna Liffey which runs through the city is represented by a female, all the rest by male heads. - These also are the workmanship of Mr. Edward Smyth, an Irish artist.

The pavillion at either extremity of this facade has a recess with two Doric columns (corresponding with similar recesses in the centre pile of the building, one on each side the Portico), above which, of the same height as the balustrade and surmounting the cornice of the edifice, is a pannel decorated with festoons, and serving as a pedestal to a group formed of the arms of Ireland on a shield, with the Lion and Unicorn, executed by Smyth. In each of the Arriere-corps, between the pavillions and centre, are seven rusticated arches, and above them three niches and four windows placed alternately, all of which are crowned with pediments. The balustrade of the pavillions is continued over the *Arriere Corps. *(*Arriere Corps *are the receding parts of an elevation, or those between projecting pavillions, &c.)

The north front is of the same extent and height, but being built of mountain-granite, and not so much ornamented, is considerably inferior in point of beauty: besides the light colour of the Portland stone in the south front gives a cheerfulness to its aspect; the north front, perhaps, appears more sombre and majestic, while the south exhibits greater taste and elegance. The centre of the north front is ornamented by a portico of four columns with an entablature, but without a pediment. On the entablature, over the columns, are figures representing the four quarters of the world, executed in a particularly chaste and elegant style, by Thomas Banks, Esq., R.A. The windows in the north front are decorated with architraves of Portland stone, and in the recesses at each end, between the columns; are doors leading to the apartments of the chief Commissioners and other persons who reside here.

The east front is composed of the pavillions of the two principal fronts, connected by handsome archways, leading to the court-yards within the building, with a central building about 90 feet in length; this centre consists of a beautiful rusticated arcade, on the top of which is a balustrade. The arches of this front are at present built up to form a temporary dry store.

The west front is two stories in height, the lower one, originally like the centre of the east front, has also been built up for convenience of storage, but even its present state does not injure the tout ensemble.

The principal entrances, beneath the porticos on both sides, are approached by a flight of steps, and conduct to spacious halls. The hall belonging to the south entrance is an octagonal vestibule below the cupola, and that attached to the north entrance is very spacious, and ornamented with columns of Portland stone.

The grand staircase, which leads to the north side of the building, has always been considered a most remarkable proof of the ingenuity of the architect who conducted the erection of this building, as uniting good taste, originality of conception, and grandeur of design. A flight of steps, fastened in the wall, conducts on either side to a landing-place; from the centre of which landing, rises the return flight communicating with the landing above, and apparently without any support whatever. This is done by making the steps rest on each other in arched joints, thus forming a semi-eliptical arch from one landing to the other.

The offices in this building are very numerous and commodious, and scarcely an alteration has been made since its opening. The Board-room, in which the two Boards of Custom and Excise sit, is in the centre of the north front, lighted by three circular-headed windows with plate-glass. The Commissioners’ Court is also a very elegant room, decorated with columns. The only office worth the attention of a visitor is the Long-room, which, as it measures 70 feet by 65, is nearly a square, although it has been always denominated the Long-room. A range of Composite columns, 12 feet distant from the wall, support an arched ceiling, lighted by two circular lanterns, ornamented with stucco-work; besides which, there are Dioclesian windows above the entablature. The space between the wall and the columns is enclosed by a range of counters, behind which are placed the officers to transact business. In this room forfeited goods are sold, and sales by inch of candle conducted. The architect of this truly magnificent pile was the late James Gandon, Esq. (This eminent architect died in 1824, at Cannon-Brook, near Lucan, at the age of 52. He studied his profession under Sir W. Chambers, and was the first who gained a gold medal for architecture at the Royal Academy, Somerset House. Premiums for a design for the Exchange at Dublin having been offered by public advertisement, Mr. Gandon sent in one which obtained the third premium, and whose merit procured for him the regard of the Earl of Charlemont, Colonel Burton Conyngham, and other patrons and admirers of the Fine Arts. Besides the noble edifices with which he adorned this city, any single one of which would secure to him a reputation for superior talent in his profession, he designed the Court House at Waterford, and that at Nottingham. He also published, in conjunction with Mr. Woolfe, the two Supplementary Volumes to the Vitruvius Britannicus. Mr. Gandon was one of the original Members of the* Royal Irish Academy, and Fellow of the Society of Antiquaries, London) of whose professional taste and ability this structure will be a lasting memorial, for it is decidedly one of the finest pieces of architecture in Europe. The estimate for the erection of the Custom House laid before the House of Commons, was 163,363l*.; but from unavoidable circumstances, it afterwards amounted to 260,000l.**

Custom House Docks**. - To the cast of the Custom house is a wet dock 400 feet in length by 200 feet in breadth, faced with lime-stone, and of depth sufficient to float any vessel that can enter the river. About 12 years since, the Spit-fire, a twenty-gun ship, which was driven up the river by the severity of the weather, took shelter here. This dock, which communicates with the river, and is kept of sufficient depth to float large vessels, by means of a sea-lock, was opened in 1796, and cost about 80,000l. which, added to different items for furnishing the interior, makes the total expense of opening the Custom House and Dock, &c. above 300,000l.

A range of stores was carried round this dock, which the increase of commerce, during the French war, rendered it expedient to remove, for the purpose of excavating new docks, and building more extensive storage.

The first store to the east is for general merchandize, and is 500 feet in length, by 112 in breadth: to the east of this is the new basin, 330 feet by 250, faced with lime-stone, and communicating with the river by a sea-lock. A dock of still greater dimensions, 650 feet by 300, to the north of this, is just now completed. To the east of the new basin is the tobacco store (500 feet by 160, and capable of containing 3,000 hogsheads), the plan of which was given by John Rennie, Esq. In this store, which is now completed and in use, there is not one particle of wood or other combustible matter. There are nine vaults beneath, which altogether afford perfect and convenient storage for 4,500 pipes of wine, allowing a walk behind the heads of the pipes as well as between them; these vaults are lighted by means of thick lenses set in iron plates in the floor of the tobacco store; but this is not sufficient to supersede the necessity of candle light.

The interior of the tobacco store is extremely curious and interesting: the roof is supported by metal frame-work of an ingenious construction, and, at intervals, long lanterns are inserted, the sashes of which are also metal; the entire frame-work is supported by three rows of cylindrical metal pillars, 26 in each row; these rest upon others of granite, which are continued through the stone floor into the vaults beneath. All the iron-work was manufactured at the Butterley-foundry in Derbyshire.

The only inconvenience at present felt ill this store, is the excessive heat, which, in all probability, can be remedied by a proper system of ventilation.

Immediately adjoining the tobacco store is an extensive yard for bonding timber, which is of great advantage to the timber merchants; and at a short distance to the east, is an extensive store for whiskey, erected by the Board of Excise, consisting of two stories of long arches of brickwork, with openings in the top to admit light.

The management of the imports and exports of Ireland, is intrusted to seven Commissioners appointed by his Majesty; and against their decision a right of appeal is open to the Lords of the Treasury of the United Kingdom. They are denominated the Commissioners of Customs and Port duties.

The Board of Excise holds its meetings in the same apartment, and consists of the same number; the peculiar employment of this Board consists in the regulation and collection of Inland excise and taxes.

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