The Exhibition Of 1862.

at South Kensington . Everything goes on there with steady mechanical regularity . Two months ago we thought the site crovded with materials—gigantic stacks of bricks , forests of leafless timber , and tons upon tons of stubborn metal —but it was bare compared with the sight which now meets our eyes . The secretly enclosed palings can now no longer hide the busy workmen , nor balk the curiosity ofthe public .

The huge scaffolding , reared to fix the nave and transept ribs , which excited our wondrous admiration a few weeks ago , is dwarfed into comparative insignificance by the framed polygonal wooden toAvers , strutted and bolted into one unyielding mass , from which the vertebras of the colossal domes are to be adjusted . One of these spleudid specimens of scaffolding is completed , and the other nearly

so . They are alone worth a visit to South Kensington , and their merits may be seen without possession of a pass to enter the enclosure , and partake of the responsibility which such entrance entails . They are built in eight or nine stages or floors , Avith projecting landings , where the large ribs will come . Braces , halved and bolted together , make the whole Avork as solid as a block of granite . The

view of the eastern dome scaffold , from the middle of the Horticultural Society ' s grounds , give us , perhaps , the best idea of its size , as we are enabled to measure it with the timbers of the nave , aud see , at the same time , the latter hoisted and united above the travelling framework , which in that portion obviates the necessity for a fixed scaffold . Entering the building , and accepting the risk of accident ,

which the contractors obli gingly caution us against , we are astounded as we stand in the centre of the temporary frame , and look upwards at the seeming confusion with which the ponderous timbers interlace each other , Avhilst at the extremities of it the iron columns , some 2 ft . in diameter , backed by smaller companions , stand ready fixed for the ribs which are to give shape and size to these conspicuous features of the Exhibition building .

Right and left of us the transept ribs are being fixed , but the accumulated scaffolding altogether precludes any appreciation of the work done . Proceeding westwards into the nave , we come suddenly into a quiet spot where the roar of mingled labour ceases , and which the onward progress of the travelling scaffold leaves perfectly unincumbered and finished , with the exception of the glazing . We can here

grasp at a glance the whole form of the central avenue , realize its size , and appreciate its effect . It is 100 feet high by 85 feet Avide , and has heen carried out , without alteration , as Captain FoAvke designed it . The rihs rest on coupled columns , and carry joists and boarding which bind the whole securely together . The light enters by clerestory Avindows immediately under the rib springings , and above the roof of

the adjoining galleries . The completed portion at once naturally provokes a comparison with its predecessor , and it at once attests its superiority in the absence of those diagonal ties which proclaimed the inherent weakness of the 1851 construction . Here the ties exist in the peculiar forms which constitute the design . In the jDOssession of diagonal instead of horizontal light , Captain Fowke ' s design

posseses also a decided advantage , Avhilst the arched roof carried out the whole length of the building enlarges the best architectural feature of the former building . It is grander also on account of its increased size . The double row of galleries on either side are likewise finished , so that nothing but the diminishing perspective lines of the nave , ending in the expanding dome , is Avanting to the unfurnished effect of

this portion of the building . Emerging from this tranquil spot , where the roar which arises from the distant mingled work reached us but indistinctly , we see truck after truck moved along the tramways to the travelling scaffold , bearing portions of the overarching ribs . They are fashioned after Captain Fowke ' s peculiar principle of three thicknesses of timber breaking joint and bolted together , and braced

outside in tbe spandrels formed b y the principal rafter , having internally a polygonal-arched shape , and externally the ordinary roof slope . A more soundly-constructed or cheaper roof it would be difficult to design . About two-thirds of each side is hoisted at a time , and the centre-pieces are then supplied and bolted together by the workmen on the scaffold . Immediatel y the ribs are fixed the rafters are secured to them , and the diagonal boarding laid . The sashes are

supplied , and the " traveller moves forward on its especial tramways to where fresh columns are awaiting their loads ; , and leaves all behind it complete . Ahead of the traveller gangs of workmen are busy laying down the four lines of rail for it to move upon . Trenches are being dug , piles driven and sawn off , sleepers and rails laid , on to which the huge scaffold framing glides steadily to take up a new

position for its mighty work . All this time the little engine isscreaming , the tackle glides snake-like along the ground , men wave blue and red flags , and materials of every description are run up to their appointed places . Passing a large liatoli of shanties , black with coal-dust ancl smoke , whence issues amidst the roar of the forges , the dead groan of the heavily-hammered metalour ears are greeted hy the hissing sound

, of the steam saws and the stifled shriek of the planing machine , mingled with the dull rattle of the engine-hands . Farther on we find that another hoisting engine has been fixed with its " crab , " around which the rope comes and goes almost without intermission . Stacks of bricks and heaps of mortar are now scarce about the site The 8 , 000 , 000 are nearly used up , hut instead weliave iron columns , struts , and girders , trussed girders , and slacks of timbers . As we

approach the western end , where the carpenters are busy building the scaffolding of the other dome , we see that the double row of galleries on either side of the main avenue are finished , or nearly so , the entire length . The roofs are on and the hoarded floors are being laid . The corresponding galleries , which join them from either side of the entrance hall in Cromwell-road , are likewise in a very forward state . Turning into the north-western transept we soon gain the annexe and find its entire length and breadth- —some

1 , 000 feet by 200 feet—completed . The lightness ancl elegance of these four open galleries is at once apparent . The roof is a modification of that over the main avenue , or rather that is au amplification of this one . 'Ihe timbers forming the polygonal arch are bolted together , but in this case the central portion of each roof is glazed , stiffening pieces instead of braces are used in tho spandrels ,, and the springings for the arches are very nearly on the floor of the .

galleries . It has a very handsome appearance , ana kindles a feeling of regret that it at least is hut a temporary affair , to be removed with the contents it will shortly shelter . This annexe , as our readers will recollect from former descriptions , runs parallel with the western wall of the Horticultural Society's grounds , between it and the Prince Alhert ' s-road . A corresponding site on the opposite side next the Exhibition , has been , on account of the continuous cry for spacelooked at with longing bthe

Commis-, eyes y sioners , and there does not seem any doubt about their gaining possession of it and furnishing thus some 200 , 000 feet of additienal accommodation for intending exhibitors . The lowest arcades of the Horticultural ground will also be finished , and used by the Exhibition Commissioners . An additional floor , devoted to dining rooms , will be built on them , from which the luxurious first-class man will look over the magnificent grounds ,

studded with gay flowers , and adorned with terraced lawns , lined with the , perhaps , finest range of terra-eotta arcades in the world . His view will be stopped by the magnificent conservatory , which has not yet had justice clone to its artistic or scientific qualities , whilst immediately in front of it will be the memorial of the Great Exhibition whose marvellous success stimulated the erection of thepresent building , and altered the whole character of the South Kensington estate . It is to be hoped that the suggestion of having a separate entrance from the Kensington-road " through the

conservatory will be acted upon . Xo better means could be devised , for lessening the crush npon the main thoroughfare , whilst the elegantly-adorned building would form a spacious hall , and its arcades and garden delightful approaches to the main attraction of the district . Any way we presume the gardens will be open ta the frequenters of the principal dining-room , ancl be frequentlyresorted to by those who have this in common ivith almost every hard-working mechanicthat they excite the horror of DrSollb

, . y y deeming a good " weed" essential to the clue ancl proper digestion , of a good dinner . Retracing our steps , and proceeding to the southern side of thenave , we see that the brickwork at the south eastern angle , which , has a been the most forward of the work , is complete , with theexception of the towers , and that the carpenters with the roof arefollowing closely upon the heels of the bricklayers as they migrate

westwards . The roof of the picture gallery is partially fixed , aud countless principals in course of framing are occupying the workmen under the shadow of the walls . The roof is of peculiar construction , but it is the same , if we mistake not , which has been , successfully used in portions of the South Kensington Museum .. The following description win perhaps explain the principles of its . construction : —The two principal rafters are separately trussed , as we would truss girders . They are then placed one against the other , and a band of iron connects their centres . A vertical piece .