One knows very little, from Soane’s own words, of the architectural considerations that went into the unique design of the Bank. John Soane was appointed architect of the Bank of England in 1788, a position that he held until 1834, a short time before his death. Paul’s Cathedral will abundantly testify-and of a Circumstance not chemically known at that time-that the rusting of Iron would burst asunder the thickness of the walls. In obedience to your Order-We have surveyed and particularly examined the Exterior Walls of the South Front and East and West Wings of the Bank… We find the Balustrade very much decayed, and the middle part of it dangerous-The upper Stone Work of the Cornice in many places broken and decomposed by successive frosts, and particularly the exposed and projecting parts about the Pediments at the Ends-Some Stones also of the Architecture and Frieze under the Cornice are defective… The Pedestals under the Columns very much defaced by the splitting of their molded parts, in consequence of the rusting of the Ornamental Iron Work which is made … into the substance of the stone instead of merely resting on it… The Defects herein recited are the melancholy effects of time, more or less operative upon all Buildings formed of Portland Stone, such as an examination of Blackfryars Bridge and St. Concerns about moisture and degeneration comprise the brunt and bulk of Sir John Soane’s correspondence with the directors of the Bank of England:
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