Drawings By Sir Christopher Wren.*

some extracts from the "Athente Oxoniensis" relating to the biography of the three eminent architects , besides the particulars of the drawings by Jones and Gibbs . There ought to be a perfect catalogue in print of all papers that have been contributed to the Institute . The draivings altogether , at All Souls ' , attributed to Wrenmust amount to more than 300 in numberand

, , are now contained in five folio volumes . They were formerly in portfolios , as presented by Sir William Blacks tone , to the college ; but they were mounted on draiving paper , and bound , in 1800 , having been previously much injured through frequent inspection . There are , however , in two of the volumes , still some loose

drawings . The contents of these two volumes , the fourth and fifth , are , we should say , hardly any of thoin Wren ' s : and many of this number are landscape sketches . Mr . Elmes makes mention of no more than the three first volumes . The new arrangement in 1800 , is spoken of by Mr . Elmes as having been " according

to the catalogue in the middle of the first volume . " A large number even of the drawings in the three volumes , are regarded by the same authority as not genuine : the remainder of the collection , however , includes matter of great interest and unquestionable value and authenticity : thoughunder any aspectthe collection can include a

, , very small proportion of the draivings that must have been made b y "Wren or his pupils . Some of tbe drawings we saw may be by Hawksmoor , ivho designed a considerable portion of the new buildings at All Souls ' .

We should not be surprised to find many drawings by Wren in other libraries at Oxford , or at Cambridge . As numbered , there are 270 drawings and MSS . together , in the three volumes , viz ., 110 in the first volume , 109 iu the second , and 51 in the third . Those of which the authorship may be considered pretty certain , are , we should sayabout half the number in the first volume

, , nearly all those in the second , and perhaps half those in the third . Tlie most interesting part of the collection , which is in the second volume , relates to Sfc . Paul ' s Cathedral , to several of the city churches , to the mausoleum intended to have been erected at Windsor , to Charles I . and a proposed statueand to a design for

, Winchester Castle , for Charles II . ; while elsewhere may be found drawings ancl a report referring to the library of Trinit y College , Cambridge , tlie plan for the rebuilding of London after the Great Eire , and designs for the Monument . In the second volume , also , under No . 9 , is the ori ginal warrant under the sign manual of

Charles II ., dated 14 th May , 1 G 75 , for rebuilding Sfc . Paul ' s according to designs ivhich follow in the volume . The ivarrant is given in the " Parentalia , " as ivell as in the memoir b y Mr . Elmes , where , also , there is a slight account of these particular designs , with some reference to the progressive changes and great discrepancies which

they exhibit , and the growth of the present grand result . Though obviously wanting many stages of that growth , AYhich further research probably would supply , they deserve some attention , and a more particular account than has thus been given of them .

Great and very proper care is taken of the whole collection b y the present authorities of the college . Every facility , consistent with preservation of the drawings , ive are assured would be afforded on proper application , to those having time to spare . The present notice is given merel y to direct the researches of others , and to acid

information to that ivhich is accessible , or has appeared in print . We have not space for a list . In the first volume we find plans of the campanile of Christ Church College , Oxford , and of several private residences and suites of rooms , including apartments at Windsor , Kensington , St . James ' s , Whitehall , and the

House of Lords , and houses ofthe Duchess of Monmouth , Lord Allaston , Lord Sunderland , and Lord Newcastle . Some of these are distinctly attributed to Wren ' s own hand by Mr . Elmos , whilst questioning the authenticity of many of the other draivings . Looking at the execution of the drawings in the collection generallymost of them are in ink outlinedand

, , sometimes slightly washed ; but some are in pencil . Several are coloured . Amongst those which are likely to be Wren ' s , are some with writing upon them , which should be examined by those practised in the identification of hands . In No . 32 , the council-chamber , audienceroomand drawing-roomat St . James ' s Palaceof which

, , , Mr . Elmes , has said " drawn by Sir Christopher , " the Avails are outlined ancl hatched in brown ink , and the writing is in a- flourising hand . Many of the cu'aivhigs , though made obviously without some of the tools and appliances ivhich are now used , are ivell executed ; and many of them reminded us of the Erench manner of

minute and carefully stippled drawing , rather than ofthe present manner of English architects . The plan ( No . 7 , in the volume ) for rebuilding London after the fire of 16 G 0 , showing also the connection of the new streets and the old , we suppose can be regarded as the original of the engraving ivhich was published by

the House of Commons ( 28 th July , 1 S 00 ) , in a report on Improvements of the Port of London , and of the subsequent publication by Mr . Elmes . It would , however , be dt ' sirable that the original p lan , whether at Oxford or elsewhere , should be certified as authentic .

There are several copies varying from ono another , in the library of tlie British Museum . The discrepancy is generally as to the position for the City Halls ; that is to say whether they should be on the river-side , or grouped about the Exchange . No . 8 in the same volume , is a rough plan of the streets after the fire ; and No . 101 is a copy of the first-named p lancut outto show

, , only the new buildings . Tlie drawings are of every kind , —general drawings , and details both of ornament and fittings . A design for a drawing-room at Whitehall ( 85 ) , has appended to it a letter as follows , but not addressed : — " May it please your lordship to consider of the

memorandum mentioned in the enclosed paper ( most of which , being pressing ) , and bo pleased to recommend tho same to the rest of your lordships . " The drawings and MS . matter , relating to the library of Trinity College , Cambridge , form the most interesting feature in the first volume . There is also exhibited in several draivings , a design for a senate-house and library

for the University . The drawings for the Trinity College library include a design—not executed , —Avhich , on a circular plan , is not very different in character from the present reading-room of the British Museum . The numbers following ( I ! to 51 ) , with the plan of the site ( 13 ) , seem , to correspond with what is now built . No .

44 is the explanation of the drawings : but it is uot signed . The sheet No . 45 , shows half the back-front next the river , and half the longitudinal section : No . 4 G shows 1 st , a plan of the substructure and cloister ; 2 nd , the plan of the library and arrangement of the shelves ; and 3 rd , the front next the court ivith the

pavilions for the stairs ; No . 47 is the transverse section ; No . -IS , a perspective view of a stool and table ; and No . 49 , a sketch of the cleasses of the library ; whilst Nos . 50 and 51 show other parts at large . Most of these are well drawn . The explanation has been given by Mr . Elmes , but with the spelling modernized ; and as the document is interesting , aud wo have copied some parts of it from the original , our readers may be glad to have these as they ivere written .