Prof. [J. H.] Chamberlain, ‘The Progress of Design’

This chapter is a newspaper report on the text of a lecture given to the Midland Institute that was the last in the series of lectures on the 1862 International Exhibition as it related to the manufacturers of Birmingham. Altogether, however, if the people were to compare architecture, as displayed in the Exhibition, with architecture a hundred years ago, they had reason to congratulate themselves; but if they merely regarded it in itself, the contemplation of most of the architecture of the present day was not a very encouraging sight. The right method of decorating that form would have to be found, and it would not be found until the material used, the construction of the building, and the purpose for which it was intended, had all been carefully considered and the design suited to them.