Visit To Stratford-On-Avon And Its Vicinage.

sir , " said she ; " for they are all I have left belonging to the family , and I feel as though I would not like to part Avith them . " I am afraid to mention , from memory , the price she told me that she had refused , but it Avas a very tempting one for the wife of a Warwickshire labourer . Of courseas the reader may guessI advised the

, , poor creature nei-er to part Avith these precious heirlooms , and haA'ing signed the visitor ' s book which she has the good sense to keep , I gave her a shilling—it Avas all I could afford—and she seemed quite thankful . Poor body ! I have wished a thousand times since that I coiitd afford to re-purchase for herand present her with

, , the homestead of her ancestors . We returned to Stratford by another route , my companion pointing out to me the Ilinington and Meon hills , Clopton House , and other objects of interest . But no hills that I have yet seen can vie in beauty with those of my native Cleveland .

Arrived at Stratford once more , I went to look at Bro . Hartley ' s bowling-green , which , is pleasantly situated on what was once a portion of the gardens of New Place . It is , as far as I am a judge of such matters , well adapted for a game of bowls , and the company seemed to be a

very respectable one , and enjoying the pastime in that friendly manner in which all sports , and indeed everything else , ought to be conducted . Bro . Hartley very courteously showed me a collection of old fonts from neighbouring churches , and other curious fragments of architecture , which ornament one end of his boAvlinggreen . He is evidently a man of superior abilitiesand

, I only regret that I could not have his company in my rambles . But I happened to visit the G-olden Lion at a time Avhen he ivas busy in arranging for the consecration of the Masonic Lodge , * which was to talre place n . t his house on the folioAving Monday . As I could not wait till then to witness the ceremony , all I could do was to

request him to see that a report of the ' proceedings ivas forwarded to the organ of the Craft in England . I need scarcely say that , after so fine a ramble , I had that night no need of a narcotic to procure me " The innocent sleep ; Sleepthat knits up the raveli'd sleave of care

, , The death of each days life , sore labour's bath , Balm of hurt minds , great Nature's second course , Chief nourisher in life ' s feast . " —Macbeth , act ii ., scene 5 . ( To be continued . )

Architecture And Archæology.

ARCHITECTURE AND ARCH ? OLOGY .

THE BUILDINGS OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXHIBITION OE 1862 . Drawings of the proposed buildings for the International Exhibition are , for a few days , on A'iew at the offices of the society , in AVest Strand . They comprise a block plan , a detailed plan of the ground story , a perspective view

of the nave , a view of the machinery gallery , and a rough sketch of tho approach to one of the domes . They are sufficient to give a general idea of the extent and nature of the structure , and to show how far the inconveniences and defects , unavoidable in the first building erected for such a purpose , have now been obviated . If the attractions of next ' s exhibition those of its *

year surpass pre decessor as much as the building will outshine that of ' 51 , the best Avishes of its promoters Avill be realised . It will want one charm , lioivever , ivhieh the old building possessed —that of novelty . The site of the neiv building is tho large space between !) he southern arcades of the Horticultural Society ' s new grounds and the Cromwell-road , and between the Avestern arcades

and the Prince Albert-road . This latter portion is devoted exclusively to the machinery . The main block occupies an area of 1152 feet in length by an average width of 600 feet , but going back some 100 feet further at the wings , which make the shorter elevations in the Exhibition and Prince Albert roads each about 700 feet long . The block for machinery is 870 feet long b 200 feet wideand extends

northy , wards beyond the western wing . The building is shorter than that of ' 51 , but in every other respect—in area , in height , in convenience , and in picturesque form—it far outstrips it . The principal entrance will be in the Exhibition-road , by a series of arched openings , altogether 90 feet wide , and leading at once to one of the grand domeswhich will rise over the

, intersection of the transepts and naves . A similar entrance is proiuded in T ' rmce Albert-road , at the opposite extremity of the building . The nave , ivhieh runs doivn the centre of the building , is 85 feet wide , and 100 feet high ( some 13 feet wider and 40 feet higher than that of 1851 ) , and transents . of

the same width and height , cross it at either end . The main channel for visitors forms a widened letter H , and the domes spring from the junctions of the lines . On either side of those main avenues there are forests of iron columns to support the galleries . The whole length ( 1150 feet ) of Cromwell-road , to the depth of 55 feet , with the exception of 105 feet in the centre for entrances , is devoted to picture These constructed

gilleries . galleries arc of brick , as also are the offices and galleries which abut on the other roads . The rest of the building is one mass of iron columns and girders . The domes at either end are built of iron and glass ; they are octagon on plan , 135 feet wide , and rise to the height of 250 feet . Prom each side of the octagon space under the dome broad flights of steps lead down to the nave and ivith smaller from the

transept , ones diagonal lines of the octagons . The kitchens are at the north side of the block , in a recess formed by the arcades of the Horticultural Society . The perspective view of the nave shoivs the architectural character of the interior . The columns ivhieh support the sides are ledthe back ones support the gallerwith

coup ; y lattice work front , the clerestory above it , aud the sloping roof . The front columns , which have ornamented caps aud bases , support circular iron ribs . They are linked to those behind with rings , by tho base and abacus to the iron piers dividing the windows , and by stiffening pieces to the rafters . These stiffening pieces cross the spandrels , and project , with ornamental terminals , from the soffits of the ribs . The ribs ieced

arc p throughout with a series of small diamondshaped openings . Tho nave is lighted on either side by windows in the clerestory . The principal rafters lie on these ribs , and the roof is boarded and covered with felt . Small or diamines arc introduced at the sides and front of arch springiiigs . The effect of this roof will be very beautiful . Tho circular lines of the ribs will bo preserved in the general view , whilst the raking Hues of the rafters will form a subordinate con-