Commercial Buildings

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Commercial Buildings.**

The Royal Exchange - is situated on Cork-Hill, near the Castle gate, almost the highest ground in the city, and has in front one of the longest avenues in Dublin, comprising Parliament-street, Essex-bridge, Capel-street, Bolton-street, and Dorset-street. At whatever side this building is approached, it challenges the architectural critic, and pleases the eye of every spectator. The view accompanying this article, being taken from the corner of Exchange-street, shows Dame-street, terminated by the College. This is the most advantageous view that can be obtained, for, owing to the narrowness of the street, not above half the building can be seen from Parliament-street.

In 1769, premiums were offered for the best design, when that of Mr. Thomas Cooley, an English architect, till then unknown in Dublin, was preferred, and to him was accordingly adjudged the first premium of 100 guineas; while Mr. Thomas Sandby obtained the second of 60 guineas; and Mr. James Gandon was rewarded with 30 guineas.

The building of this magnificent structure was not only a very great ornament to the city, but an immediate benefit to the neighbourhood, for the site on which it stands was occupied by the old Exchange, Lord Cork’s house after wards Lucas’s coffee-house, and many mean shops, so that one of the greatest thoroughfares in the city was both inconvenient and dangerous.

The Earl of Northumberland, then Lord Lieutenant, gave considerable assistance to the merchants in raising funds for purchasing ground and erecting an Exchange. Parliament granted 13,000l., the merchants subscribed liberally, and by a successful defence made by Dr. Lucas in parliament, on behalf of the merchants of Dublin, a large fund was saved and added to the collections for the building of the New Exchange, in addition to which, a considerable sum was raised by lottery schemes.

On the 2nd of August, 1769, the first stone was laid by Lord Townsend, Lord Lieutenant, and in ten years from that date, the Exchange was opened for the transaction of business.

The edifice is a square of 100 feet, crowned by a dome in the centre, and has three fronts, all of Portland stone. The north, or principal front, has a portico of six Corinthian columns (those at the extremities coupled), whose entablature is continued along the three fronts, all of which are decorated with Corinthian pilasters, with festoons, &c. between the capitals. The top of the building is crowned by a balustrade, except where it is interrupted by the pediment on the north side; and above this, the summit of the dome is risible, but having no tambour it is too low to be distinctly seen. As the situation is on an exceedingly steep hill, the approaches are somewhat interrupted: that to the principal front is at the western end, where the terrace is level with the street; but the other end of this platform, or terrace, is blocked up by a high wall, surmounted by heavy iron railing of enormous height, greatly disfiguring the front of this light and elegant structure.

This was not part of the original design, but in consequence of the sudden ascent of the ground, the architect continued the terrace, which was accessible at the east by a long and wide flight of steps, the west end being level with the street; the terrace was protected by a metal balustrade resting on rustic work. On the 24th of April, 1814, a crowd having assembled on this platform, to witness the whipping of a criminal, the balustrade yielded to the pressure, and numbers were precipitated into the street. The principal sufferers were those who stood below, some of whom were killed upon the spot, and many dreadfully bruised. A view of the Exchange with the original balustrade in front, may be seen in Malton’s Views of Dublin. Beneath the colonnade are three large iron gates suspended on Ionic pilasters; these lead into a flagged ball, where are the entrances to the Exchange-hall. Over the gates and between the pillars are windows ornamented by architraves, lighting the coffee-room. On either side of the portico are two corresponding windows resting upon a rich fluted impost or facia, that serves as a cornice to the ground-floor, which is rusticated and unperforated by any aperture, a circumstance that gives a peculiar and appropriate character to this structure, while it adds greatly to its strength.

The western elevation does not differ much from that on the north, except that the portico has only four columns and no pediment; and that there is only one window on each side, in the inter-pilaster adjoining the portico, the other being without any aperture whatever. The east front, which is in Exchange-court, has only pilasters: on this side are the entrances to the vaults of the Exchange, which are dry and extensive, and are generally let to the Commissioners of Customs, who frequently want more storage than the buildings attached to the Custom-house afford.

The ingenuity of Mr. Cooley is nowhere more conspicuous than in his design of the interior of the Exchange: the ground plan may be perfectly represented by the idea of a circle inscribed in a square, but the beauty and elegance of the effect produced, cannot be so readily represented by description.

Twelve fluted columns of the Composite order, 32 feet high, form a rotunda in the centre of the building. Above their entablature, which is highly enriched, is an attic 10 feet high, with as many circular windows, answering to the inter-columns below, and connected with pendant festoons of laurel in rich stucco-work, and from this rises an elegantly-proportioned dome, ornamented with hexagonal *caissons. *This is deservedly considered a chef-d’oeuvre in the art of stucco plastering, and was executed by the late Alderman Thorpe of this city. In the centre of the *crown *is a large circular sky-light, which, with the assistance of the different windows, judiciously dispersed around the ball, affords a profusion of light.

The inter-columns are open below to the ambulatory encompassing the circular area in the centre of the building. Ionic impost pilasters, about half the height of the columns to which they are attached, support a fluted frieze and enriched cornice, above which, in the upper spaces of the inter-columns, are pannels and other ornaments. The ambulatory is much lower than the rotunda, being covered with a flat* *ceiling, the height of the impost pilasters, with enriched soffits, extended from these pilasters to others opposite to them against the wall. Between the pilasters are blank arcades with seats.

Between two of the columns, immediately opposite the north or principal entrance, is a statue, in bronze, of his late Majesty, George III., standing on a pedestal of white marble, dressed in a Roman military habit, and holding a truncheon in his right hand. This statue, the workmanship of Van Nost, was a gift of the Earl of Northumberland, Lord Lieutenant (who paid the artist 700 guineas), to the merchants of this city, for the Royal Exchange. Over the statue of his late Majesty, in one of the pannels beneath the entablature, is a handsome clock. Behind the four columns, which are opposite the four angles of the exterior wall of the building, desks are placed, in the small angular recesses formed at the meeting of the tangents to the circular hall, which are not only convenient to the merchants, but contribute to square the exterior ambulatory, and preserve an equal breadth the entire length of the wall, at every side.

Both the circular hall and ambulatory are paved with square flags, alternately black and white, and gradually diminishing in breadth to the centre of the circle. The ambulatories are lighted by the doors of the north, east, and west sides, which are half glazed. At the eastern and western ends of the north front, are handsome oval geometrical stair-cases, with ornamented balustrades, lighted by lanterns inserted in a coved ceiling, the lanterns being the precise diameter of the central well of the staircase. On the stairs, in the north-western aisle, is a beautifully executed statue of Dr. Lucas (a member of parliament for the city of Dublin, to whom the merchants of this city are much indebted), by Edward Smyth, a pupil of Van Nost, and erected at the public expense: he holds in his right hand a copy of Magna Charta, and is* dressed in *his senatorial robes; on the pedestal is a bas-relief of Liberty, with her wand and cap. Van Nost and his pupil were employed by the trustees to execute models in wood of the intended figure, which were accordingly submitted at the appointed time for their inspection; but the model of the master being considered on too large a scale, Smyth’s was on the point of being chosen, when Van Nost begged a postponement of the choice for a short period longer. In the interval he cut his model in two, and omitted part of the centre, and thus presented it a second time for judgment; but this alteration had so cheated every other part of the figure of its fair proportions, that Smyth’s model was immediately chosen, and the copy completely justifies the selection of the original.

This stair-case leads to the Coffee-room, the Court of Bankrupt Commissioners, &c. The Coffee-room is immediately over the entrance on the north, and the other apartments are over the ambulatories.

The ceilings of those stair-cases are richly decorated with stucco-work; and in some of the compartments are casts of several figures found in the ruins of Herculaneum, which being laid on coloured grounds are distinctly seen.

The Trustees of the Royal Exchange are, the Lord Mayor, High Sheriffs, City Representatives, and City Treasurer, all *ex officio; *together with 14 merchants. There are only two officers attached to this establishment, viz. the Secretary or Registrar, and the Coffee-room keeper.

The increase of mercantile business called for additional accommodation for brokers, &c.; in consequence of which, the Commercial Buildings were erected in Dame-street, to supply the want off a sufficient number of offices in the Exchange; perhaps, either building is now sufficiently extensive and commodious for an Exchange. **

Corn Exchange Buildings**. - The corn merchants of Dublin being much inconvenienced by not having any well-situated market to expose their grain for sale, associated for the purpose of providing themselves with one, and petitioned for, and obtained a Charter of Incorporation, during the government of Earl Whitworth, in 1815, under the name of “The Corn Exchange Buildings’ Company.” Their funds were at first chiefly derived from subscriptions of 50l. each, by the members of the association, and leave is given in the Charter to increase capital stock to 15,000l.: but a general assembly may augment stock to double that sum, on certain conditions. The business of the company is managed by a committee of 15 directors, who meet in a room in the Corn Exchange Buildings.

This edifice presents a handsome front of mountain-granite to Burgh Quay, consisting of two stories: in the lower, which is ornamented with rustic work, are two door ways, of an height quite disproportioned to that of the building itself, ornamented by pillars of Portland stone. The second story is decorated by five large windows with architraves, and pediments alternately circular and angular; and along the summit is a rich cornice. The south front, which is towards Poolbeg-street, is of brick.

The interior is a large hall 130 feet in length, extending from Burgh Quay to Poolbeg-street; the centre of which is divided from the ambulatories on either side by a range of metal pillars, above which is an entablature continued around the centre hall: above this entablature is a range of windows which are continued uninterruptedly round, so as to form a lantern the size of the quadrangular space below. The ceiling of the lantern is ornamented by stucco-work, and in the south end of it is placed a clock encircled by oak leaves, sheaves of corn and implements of husbandry, all in stucco-work.

The hall and ambulatories are furnished with tables surrounded by ledge boards, to lay corn samples upon on market days; and from the letting of those tables, and the rent of a large room in the front of the building, for public dinners and assemblies, the interest of the shares is paid.

The total expense of completing this building is estimated at 22,000l., and is to be defrayed by a toll of 2s. 6d. per ton on merchandize imported into Dublin. The design was not given by any particular person, but was composed from different elevations. **

The Commercial Buildings**. - The business transacted in the Exchange being so circumscribed - merely the purchase of bills on London, it is opened only on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, from three to four in the afternoon. A stranger visiting it at any other hour, or on any other day would naturally inquire what the noble edifice was employed for, or whether there was commercial business in Dublin to require so splendid an Exchange. However, from some ill-fated regulations, long after the opening of the Royal Exchange, on Cork-hill, the merchants assembled in vast numbers, in Crampton-court, opposite Palace-street, to transact business.

This system called loudly for reform, and the merchants determined, in a spirited manner, to relieve themselves; accordingly a subscription was raised, principally on 50l. debentures, amounting to 20,000l.; besides this, 13,000l. was raised as a loan guaranteed by government; and 5,000l. by the sale of grounds. After this fund was collected, the site of the old Post-office, and one end of Crown-alley, were purchased by the trustees to erect the Commercial Buildings, the first stone of which was laid July 29th, 1796; and the building was finished, after a design of Mr. Parks, in l799.

The front of this building, which is on the north side of College Green, in the centre of an extremely elegant row of lofty houses, is of mountain-granite, three stories high. A rusticated basement, in which is the door-way, with Ionic pillars, and six large circular-headed windows, supports two stories, with windows ornamented by architraves; those off the first floor are crowned by pediments, alternately circular and angular, and the summit of the front is finished by a handsome stone cornice.

The hall, which is very spacious and lofty, is peculiarly appropriate to the objects of this building; on the right-hand side is an Assurance and Notary-Public’s Office, and on the opposite the Coffee-room, a noble room 60 feet by 32, well supplied with domestic and foreign papers, tables of imports and exports, and every species of mercantile advertisement: indeed, the convenience and advantage of this apartment has caused a total desertion of the Exchange coffee-room. Notwithstanding its great length, it is well lighted, having three large windows at either end.

The middle story contains several elegant apartments one in the front of the building is a private subscription-rooms behind which, is a large room used for a Stock Exchange, where business is transacted every day between three and four o’clock in the afternoon. The remaining part of this story and all the upper one are appropriated as an hotel, for the accommodation of foreign merchants, or indeed of any respectable persons who prefer this part of the town for a temporary residence.

Behind this building is a handsome square, containing the offices of the Marine and Commercial Insurance, with those of many brokers; here also, in fine weather, the merchants assemble to buy, sell, and exhibit samples. On the north side of this square is a door-way communicating with Cope-street, and affording a thoroughfare from Dame-street to the back streets near the river. **

Chamber of Commerce**. - About 30 years since, a Chamber of Commerce was first established in this city, whose principal object was to protect its commercial interests; but after an existence of several years, it discontinued its meetings.

On November 16th, 1820, a general meeting of merchants was held in the Commercial Buildings for the purpose of forming themselves into an association to be called “The Chamber of Commerce of the City of Dublin.”

The professed objects of this association are the protection and promotion of the manufacturing and commercial interests of the city in particular, and of the kingdom in general. Members are admitted by ballot.

An annual general assembly is held on the first Tuesday of December for electing officers; the principal of which are a president, four vice-presidents and a council of 24. These representatives, whenever it may be required, are to hold intercourse with the officers of the Crown, in the name and on the behalf of the chamber The office is in the Commercial Buildings. **

Savings’ Bank**. - At St. Peter’s Parish Savings’ Bank, which was established Feb. 16th, 1818, deposits are received, of not less than ten pence, and accumulate with compound interest; but no computation of interest is made upon any sum less than 12s. 6d., after which amount, the deposits bear 4 per cent per ann. The Saving’s Bank debentures bear 4l. 11s. 3d. per cent per ann. but the 11s. 3d. goes to pay the expenses of, the institution; there are various regulations in the act unnecessary to mention here; it is sufficient to show the general principles, and also the great utility of the establishment. In the space of two years and a half there has been received from depositors the sum of 45,000l., and, after repayments, there remained (June 28th, 1821), the sum of 23,000l. A depositor can draw his money, by giving one week’s notice. The bank is kept at No. 46, Cuffe-street, and is open every Monday, from three to five o’clock. The deposits are daily increasing, and on the 25th June, 1821, 1,138l. was received in the short space of two hours. The bank is governed by a president (the Lord Chancellor), eight vice-presidents, 12 trustees, and a managing committee of 52* *gentlemen; and the business is transacted by two of the members of the managing committee, and the treasurer. **

Gas Light Company**. - In 1820, an act was passed for lighting the city with Gas, and 29 commissioners or proprietors (at the head of whom is his Grace the Duke of Leinster) were appointed, who have permission to conduct the lighting of the city, under certain restrictions. It is in the first place required that 50,000l. shall be subscribed, before the act be executed, and in case that sum be insufficient, a further sum of 12,500l. may be raised.

It is further strictly enjoined that the gasometer be erected in a suitable place, and the refuse not permitted to run into the river Liffey. The provisions of the act enable the commissioners to procure a supply of gas, for illuminating the streets and squares, at a reasonable charge, whenever they require it. As soon as the sum of ten-thousand pounds shall be accumulated, by savings set apart at the rate of five per cent per ann. arising from the profits a dividend shall be made of the profits and not before.

The affairs of the company are conducted by a governor, deputy governor, five directors, a treasurer and clerk. The office is situated in Foster-place, College-green.

There is a second called the “Hibernian Gas Light Company,” whose office is in Palace-street. These two* *Companies have agreed to divide the lighting of the city, the one to light the North the other the South side. There is also an Oil Gas Company established in Dublin **

The Linen and Yarn Hall** – was erected in 1728. The building, occupies a space of ground of nearly *three acres, *and contains 557 apartments; 492 of which are appropriated to the storage of linens, and the remainder for yarn.

These apartments are kept in order by the Linen Board, from the funds intrusted to their care by parliament, for the use of the trade; and dealers in the country forward their linens to this building as suits their convenience. At first three markets were held in the year, namely, in February, June, and October; but, since the increase of the trade, and the great facility afforded in travelling, the English buyers resort hither at various other periods. Here may be purchased linen of every description, from the finest damask, to the coarsest fabricks; thus furnishing a great and constant mart. The Yarn Hall is the great depot for the sale of this article from various counties, which, in consequence of the regulations established by the board, has become of vast importance.

All these concerns are under the care of a Chamberlain, whose duty it is to superintend them, and report when any vacancy occurs in any of the rooms (which are granted by the board during pleasure to the different factors), and to check any impropriety on the part of the servants of the establishment.

Regular gatekeepers and watchmen are attached to the hall, and a fire-engine with a suitable establishment; and the greatest care is observed to prevent any accident either by fire or stealth. An account is kept of all Linen and Yarn coming in and going out of the building, and the greatest regularity observed in every department. This valuable mart of our great staple manufacture is well worthy of inspection. **

Stove Tenter-House**. - What one great and good man can effect, towards ameliorating the condition of his fellow creatures, is strikingly proved by the following sketch of the Stove Tenter-house, in Brown-street, erected by Thomas Pleasants, Esq. in 1815, for 12,964l. In the space of twelve months 1,018 pieces of cloth were tentered, 1,588 chains or warps were sized and dried, and 1,450 stones of wool were dyed, beneath the shelter of this truly charitable asylum.

Before the erection of this building, the poor weavers in the liberty were wholly destitute of employment in rainy weather, or else endeavoured to tenter their cloths before the ale-house fire; and hence exposed to great distress, and not unfrequently reduced either to the hospital or the gaol.

After the building of the Tenter-house, during the season of extreme and general distress, in 1816, not one woollen weaver was found imploring relief, or within the walls of a prison; need we wonder then at the extravagant blessings and prayers bestowed by 30,000 persons on one of the noblest characters, in point of pure beneficence and patriotism, that ever adorned this country.

The stranger will learn with gladness, that Mr. Pleasants lived to witness the matured success of his truly-benevolent design.

The building, which is situated between Cork and Brown streets, a little to the east of the Fever Hospital, is a brick edifice 275 feet in length, and three stories high. in the centre is a cupola and spire, and at either extremity a pavilion, in the pediment of which are the weavers’ arms. The lowest story contains the stoves by which the horizontal flues, the length of the whole building, are heated the upper ones contain the tenter frames, which are capable of being expanded or contracted, so as to stretch the cloth to any degree of tension. The heat ascends without interruption to the very roof, the floors of the upper stories being composed of bars of hammered iron, placed parallel, and at intervals from each other, and the cloth is conveyed away upon a small dray, running on the parallel bars as on a rail-way.

For every piece of cloth dried in the winter months the charge is 3s. 4d.; and for other articles, prices in proportion; in summer, when fire is not required, it is less.

On the front lawn is a spa, rising at a depth of 40 feet from the surface, through a bituminous lime-stone which abounds in this part of the city; it has been analyzed by Dr. Barker, Professor of Chemistry in the University, and recommended in cutaneous and bilious complaints.

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