With regard, however, to the great superiority of foreign artists over our own in the present matter of competition, and our utter defeat in the first trial of the respective strength of Nations, some very excellent remarks have been put forth by the “Athenæum.” “Let us see,” says the writer, “if the men who did come up to this architectural battle have been fairly dealt with. It is essential to the integrity of a combat that it should be fought with the weapon prescribed. If one of two combatants bring a sword double the length of his adversary’s, or a rifle to his rival’s pistol, we should scarcely hold that the defeat of the latter is proof that he is inferior in fence or in aim.” This is closely and fairly put. The answer must be, that our artists have _not_ been fairly beaten. The advertisement of the Committee requested “information and suggestions” on the general form of the building in plan, &c., and they laid down rules and regulations to which “they earnestly requested the contributors to conform,” declaring that they would not recognise any plans which were “sent in a form inconsistent with these rules.” They were clearly defined. For instance—they directed that the communications must consist of a single sheet of paper of given dimensions; that the drawing should be a simple ground-plan, also of limited dimensions; and that it should _only_ contain “such elevations and sections of the building, on the same sheet, as might be necessary to elucidate the system proposed.” Surely all this is clear enough. Let us now see how some of the most successful of the competitors have attended to these conditions on which they were to enter the arena. What extensive pleasure-grounds are those?—and adorned with such architectural displays? They are the work of Monsieur Cailloux. But, a little further on, we behold pleasure-grounds and architectural structures yet more ornate and refined. They are from the hand of Monsieur Charpentier. Further on, another, by Monsieur Cleemputte; and another by Monsieur Gaulle—a complicated work of thoughtful elaboration. Yet even these are destined to be surpassed by the luxurious fancies of other artists.